Agencies
Services
Celebrating 60 Years
SMU DataArts Names Illinois Sixth Most Vibrant Arts State
Arts Impact in Illinois
$37.39B
of our state's gross domestic product was contributed by arts and culture in 2023 - Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept of Commerce
226,407
Illinois jobs were in arts and culture (2023)
- Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce
22
grants totaling $862,855 were directed to Illinois school districts in developing arts and foreign language curricula in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (FY2024)
$478M
in revenues to state and local government were delivered by Illinois arts nonprofits in 2024 - Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6)
29
local arts councils partnered with IAC through its Local Arts Network to support statewide arts programming (FY2024)
100%
of all legislative districts throughout Illinois receive free access to local and regional news, public affairs and arts programming through IAC support for Illinois Public Radio and Television (FY2025)
Illinois Artist Feature
R. Wesley Carr, winner of the 2019 National Mandolin Championships and two-time winner of the NewSong Songwriting Showcase, received an FY25 Creative Catalyst grant for an ambitious new recording project with world-renowned guitarist Fareed Haque. The innovative album of newly composed works blends classical, Brazilian choro, Balkan influences, tango, and American folk traditions.
This dynamic collaboration features a diverse array of compositions, including a six-movement suite by Adam Larrabee and a duet for banjo and classical guitar from David DeVasto. The project aims to bridge the worlds of classical and traditional American music, showcasing the versatility of instruments like the mandolin and banjo. "Receiving the grant allowed me to focus more on creating art and less on raising funds," Wesley explains. "It alleviated a lot of the stress that can come from the business side of creative work and allowed me to focus more on rehearsing and developing my music."
The album's release is scheduled for June 27, 2025.
Connect With Us
Interested in being an IAC Grant Reader?
Featured Partners
