Opportunities for Organizations

Guidelines released: January 2026

Opens: February 2026

Deadline: March 2026  

General Operating Support (GOS) Grants are available for Illinois non-profit organizations that provide ongoing arts programming.

Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants provide funds to GOS grantees for individuals between the ages of 14-22.

Guidelines released: June 2026

Opens: Late June or July 1, 2026

Deadline: Open Deadline

Creative Project Grant (CPG) supports art projects for Illinois artists, eligible not-for-profit organizations, municipal entities, or colleges and universities.

Opens: May 23, 2025
Deadline: Closed

The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is offering scholarship funds of up to $750 to cover expenses related to attending the 2025 One State Together in the Arts & Humanities Conference, to include registration, travel, and hotel costs. The 2025 One State Conference will be held November 5–7, 2025, in Champaign-Urbana.

Intent to apply due: January 29

Applications are now open for the 2026-27 cycle of Shakespeare in American Communities, a national program that offers support to nonprofit theater companies bringing performances and educational activities to their communities.

Deadline: February 25

USArtists International® supports in-person performances by artists from any state or territory in the U.S. at engagements at international festivals, global presenting arts markets, and other eligible engagements outside of the United States. The program funds individuals and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines.

Deadline: March 23

Research Grants in the Arts support research studies that investigate the value and/or impact of the arts in American life. Cost-share grants of $20,000 to $100,000 will be awarded. 


NEA Research Labs fund long-term research agendas that include multiple empirical studies and the dissemination of various products or services for promoting public knowledge about the arts and their contributions to American life. Each Lab must include an interdisciplinary team of researchers and a partnership with at least one arts organization or working artist. Cost-share grants of $100,000 to $300,000 will be awarded.

Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program

Deadline: April 1

Landmarks Illinois’ Preservation Heritage Fund grants are intended to provide monetary assistance to significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. 

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.

Search for additional state and national resources for organizations through the IAC's Discipline-Specific Resources database.