Support for Artists

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. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents.

This is a $10,000 taxable award. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 9, 2025. All applications must be submitted via the applicant's IAC Salesforce account.

Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region. Additionally, IAC has transitioned to compliance-based evaluation criteria and does not evaluate the quality of artistic work or artistic accomplishments. The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery.

• Individual artists with an active and sustained practice. (see guidelines for full definition)
• At the time of application, artists must:
  • Be age 21 or older.
  • Be established as an Illinois resident prior to April 9, 2024.
  • Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2023-2025.
  • Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2022 or prior.
  • Not be currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program, including a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their coursework by the application deadline to be eligible.

• Read the Creative Accelerator Fund Guidelines.
• Use Chrome as your browser when working in Salesforce.
  
• Once logged into Salesforce, complete updates to the Applicant Information tab first.
  
• Submit all required application materials by Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11:59 pm.
  
• Questions? Watch the webinar, participate in one of the drop-ins, or contact your Program Director.

1. Does the application demonstrate the individual artist has an active and sustained practice?
2. Is the application complete?
   
3. Is the artist eligible to receive funds from the State of Illinois?
   

The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery. Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region.

Illinois Arts Council (IAC) & Arts Alliance Illinois (AAI) Regional Informational Sessions with Q&A

IAC Regional Program Directors and AAI Help Desk staff will present one-hour grant workshops around the state. This short program will include a brief overview of each organization. IAC will share funding opportunities with a focus on grants for individual artists and how to apply, and AAI will share information on their Help Desk services. There will be plenty of time to answer any questions at the end. Please help us spread the word!

Northern Region Grant Workshops with Danielle Heal (IAC) and Megan Lewis (AAI)

Monday, March 17
Workshop #1-Waukegan, IL
6:00 PM: Jack Benny Center, 39 Jack Benny Dr, Waukegan, IL 60087
RSVP
Hosted by Waukegan Park District

Wednesday, March 26
Workshop #2-Dixon, IL
12:00 PM (noon): Next Picture Show, 113 W 1^st St, Dixon, IL 61021
RSVP

Illinois Arts Council Eastern Region Grant Workshops  with Susan Dickson (IAC) and Megan Lewis (AAI)

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Workshop #1-Mt. Carmel, IL
5:30 PM: Brubeck Arts Center, 2200 College Dr., at Wabash Valley College
RSVP
Hosted by Wabash Valley Arts Council, 618-262-8641

Thursday, March 27, 2025
Workshop #2-Effingham, IL
12:00 PM (noon): Effingham Performance Center, 1325 Outer Belt W
RSVP

Workshop #3-Effingham, IL
5:30 PM: Effingham Performance Center
RSVP
Hosted by Arts Connection of Central Illinois, 217-540-2788

Saturday, March 29, 2025
Workshop #4-Kankakee, IL
12:00 PM (noon): Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism Inc., 356 E. Merchant St.
RSVP
Hosted by Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism Inc., 815-685-9057

Illinois Arts Council Central Region Grant Workshops with Angelique Grandone (IAC)

Tuesday April 1, 2025
Workshop #1-Springfield, IL
5:30 PM-7:00 PM: Springfield Art Association, 700 North 4th Street, Springfield, IL 62702
RSVP

Thursday April 3, 2025
Workshop #2-Bloomington, IL
5:30 PM-7:00 PM: McLean County Arts Center, 601 N East St, Bloomington, IL 61701
RSVP

Friday April 4, 2025
First Fridays Drop-In IAC Support-Decatur, IL
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Decatur Area Arts Council, 125 N. Water Street, Decatur, IL 62523
No need to RSVP, just drop in to First Fridays!

Illinois Arts Council Western Region Grant Workshops with Jerome Grand  (IAC) and Megan Lewis (AAI)

Tuesday, April 1
Workshop #1-Macomb, IL
4:00 PM: Western Illinois Museum, 201 South Lafayette Street, Macomb, IL  61455
RSVP

Wednesday, April 2
Workshop #2-Rock Island, IL
1:00 PM: Quad City Arts, 1715 2nd Ave., Rock Island, IL 61201
RSVP

Friday, April 4
Workshop #3-Peoria, IL
2:00 PM: Distillery Labs, 201 SW Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois 61602
RSVP
Hosted by ArtsPartners

• In-person Workshops
  IAC Program staff are currently planning travel across the state to focus on grant opportunities for Individual Artists. Please visit IAC's Workshops & Webinars page for a list of confirmed stops and a link to rsvp. 
• Creative Accelerator Fund Webinar 
  A pre-recorded webinar is available that reviews application tips and best practices, including how to use the agency’s online Salesforce grant platform.

• Creative Accelerator Fund Drop-Ins 
  Drop-in sessions are one-hour sessions that have no agenda. Participants may ask questions of the participating Program Staff and get answers in real time. Drop-ins do not require pre-registration; click the link below to join the meeting when it is time.

Monday, March 3, at 3:00 pm
Wednesday, March 12, at 10:00 am
Tuesday, March 25, at 6:00 pm
Friday, April 4, at noon

• For a complete listing of IAC Workshops, visit the IAC's Workshops & Webinars page.

How does IAC define an “Individual Artist with an active and sustained practice”?

An individual working in arts, crafts, design, dance, digital media, film/video, literature, music, performance, photography, theater, visual arts, folk and traditional arts, or community-based arts.

By “active and sustained,” we mean that you are currently committing time to practicing your art form that you have practiced since at least 2022. You do not necessarily need to derive significant income from your work in the arts (though it’s also fine if you do). It is also acceptable if your art form has changed over those years. The first submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2023, 2024, or 2025. The second submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2022 or prior.

Who is not eligible to apply?

• Individuals enrolled in any degree-obtaining program (including high school, bachelor, or master's-degree programs) at the time of application or during the award period. (Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligible.)
• Organizations or schools. This award is for individuals only.

What if I need reasonable accommodations to apply?

Reasonable accommodations for application procedures can be provided with a minimum request time of 3 business days before the deadline.