Agencies
Services
Opportunities for Educators
IAC Grants for Educators
Opens: February 26, 2025
Deadline: Closed
The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity.
Opens: April 2025
Deadline: Closed
Creative Learning Grants for Schools supports arts learning opportunities in Illinois schools. The goal of this grant is to enable schools to acquire supplies, materials, equipment, or services from Illinois artists or arts organizations that are needed to address student needs for arts learning opportunities.
IAC Initiatives for Educators
Opens: November 1, 2025
Deadline: January 16, 2026
Illinois Statewide POL Contest: March 2, 2026
A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.
Additional State Funding & Other Opportunities
America’s Field Trip is a nationwide student contest sponsored by America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3-12 to be part of this historic milestone by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them-with the chance to earn a once-in-a-lifetime field trip experience at one of 16 different iconic American landmarks or cultural sites.
At IL250.org, individuals and organizations can sign up to become a promotional partner, establish an IL250 community, submit events to the local and national calendar, and access resources.
Join a statewide commemoration of the 250th signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Stay tuned for more information and program announcements from Illinois Humanities. Questions? Email IL250@ilhumanities.org.
Additional Resources for Educators
Search for additional state and national resources for organizations through the IAC's Discipline-Specific Resources database.
Announcements for Educators
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