Lizzie Morrison’s Post

So proud of the team and the re-launch of the IAC! Welcome to the New Illinois Arts Council! The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce bold new changes to enhance equal access to public arts funding throughout the state. The IAC will better align public resources to communities across Illinois by restructuring and revamping all IAC grant opportunities as well as updates to our policies and procedures. The IAC divided the state into six distinct regions allowing Program Directors to oversee entire communities as opposed to artistic disciplines. This establishes a more direct relationship with rural and under-resourced communities and strengthens re-granting partnerships. The newly created six regions will allow for more equitable funding across Illinois’ communities. The Chicago Metro Region will also be further divided into subregions to better serve distinct communities within our largest urban setting. In FY25, the General Operating Support grant, which serves organizations and communities, will become a 3-year grant cycle. This multi-year simplified application and final report will only include information necessary to determine feasibility and organizational health. The new guidelines and application will be announced shortly. A cash match will no longer be required for applicants to ease the burden on small and emerging organizations. The IAC funding formula will be updated ensuring an equitable regional distribution of funds, as well as priority given to historically under-resourced communities. An updated Youth Employment in the Arts grant will fund organizations beyond the current summer internship for individuals from ages 14-22. The application for this grant will be integrated into the FY25 GOS application. In FY25, the IAC will also launch a new grant for individual artists called the Creative Accelerator Fund. Rather than restrict resources to the production of a specific project, this grant will provide holistic support to Illinois artists. A primary goal of the grant is to bolster a creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ creative and economic activity. IAC established a communication department in the agency with a focus on a refreshed brand, website, and strategy to reach artists, organizations, and community stakeholders, expanding virtual and statewide in-person grant writing workshops and informational sessions. IAC began partnering with other state and federal agencies to provide access to additional granting opportunities and resources for the creative sector. The Illinois Creative Collaborative will continue to expand its work with state and federal agencies in the years ahead. The IAC will hold a series of webinars outlining all the upcoming improvements. The links are listed below and registration is not required to attend. https://arts.illinois.gov/

Wythe County groups receive VCA grantsThe VCA announces grant allocations totaling more than $5.1 million into communities, arts organizations, and arts-centric programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia for FY25. Grant allocations for FY25 feature: • 151 General Operating Support for Medium and Large Organizations (GOS) Grants, bolstering arts organizations to continue, strengthen, and expand arts experiences that benefit all Virginians. • 86 Operating Support Small Grants, increasing support for small and emerging arts organizations central to the vibrancy of Virginia’s communities. • 108 Creative Community Partnership Grants, catalyzing matching funds exceeding $5.3 million from localities and providing funding for more than 240 arts organizations. • ...

A great article highlighting a historic opportunity in Governor Polis' budget to bring a vital funding increase for our state arts agency - read below for ways you can support the effort!

Funding for public art projects can be thwarted by public officials, who may view investment in the arts as a financial sacrifice lacking in measurable returns.  Studies have conclusively proven that when communities invest in arts and culture, they are not doing so at the expense of community and economic development. Rather, they are investing in an industry that stimulates the economy, supports local jobs, and contributes to building healthy, vibrant, and livable communities. Changing groundless viewpoints requires education and advocacy. Please tell your legislators about a personal experience you had with the arts, and share the economic impact numbers from Americans for the Arts' AEP6 Study.

🎮 Grant for Game-based approaches: National Leadership Grants for Libraries Registration is OPEN through September 20th, 2024 | Game-based approaches from libraries and/or archival services are welcome for the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) National Leadership Grant for Libraries. IMLS is looking to support projects that improve community well-being and broaden community access to libraries and archives. Please note: we are not the grant giving agency! We don't give grants at the Wilson Center. However, we are a convening organization, and as part of our work with the Federal Games Guild, we aggregate grant opportunities from our members that welcome game-based approaches for publicly available grants to support the broader community of those interested in using games for public good. More details on this specific opportunity can be found: https://lnkd.in/eHXBXK4i Or by contacting hwechsler@imls.gov More grants from across the Federal Games Guild can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e-uynfuK

Why is Pennsylvania's state budget for FY 24-25 a blow to the arts? For starters, despite statewide advocacy efforts, the line item for grants for the arts remains flat at $9.59 million for another year. This is now the 10th year of flat funding, despite rising inflation. Pennsylvania currently sits at 33rd nationally in per capita spending on state arts agencies, at just $.82 per capita, according to National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. Secondly, despite a strong call for support, the Pennsylvania film production tax incentive was not raised from $100 million to $300 million. Over the past decade and a half, the commonwealth has failed to adjust the incentive to be more competitive with other states. This has contributed to a steady decline in commercials, television series, and films being made in Pennsylvania. The Arts Council is committed to increasing our advocacy efforts in FY24-25 to ensure that Pennsylvania's FY25-26 budget produces better financial results for our arts and culture sector. We will not be waiting until budget season to take action and recognize an immediate need to demystify the arts, helping changemakers see beyond just funding the region's largest organizations. We value the importance of demonstrating what the artists and arts organizations in our sector are doing day-to-day in terms of educational goals and objectives, community development, cultural preservation, arts vibrancy, and more. https://lnkd.in/eY84_ExF

The New York Public Library By Kim Williams of Sovereign Associates For those of us who live in small apartments, the New York City Public Library system is an excellent resource for helping to reduce clutter. Library books do not add clutter to your space. I can borrow a book and handily return it when I finish. If I search for a book, I can order it online and be notified when it is ready for pickup at my local branch. I usually have five or six books on loan at any given time, and as a bonus, there are no late fees. You can also use your library card to borrow eBooks, download digital media, and access online databases. This service is free to anyone living, working, or studying in New York City's five boroughs. Just in time for summer reading, get your library card and take advantage of this beautiful resource. Please help support the NY Public Libraries: In November 2023, mid-year City budget cuts significantly impacted NYC's public libraries. These cuts reduced vital services for all New Yorkers, including the discontinuation of Sunday service at most locations and a decrease in collections, programming, and maintenance. The recently announced FY25 City budget threatens to further reduce funding, which would necessitate even more cuts. It's crucial that we rally together to support our libraries. Please take a moment to send a note to the City Council, expressing how important our libraries are to the communities they serve. Your voice can make a difference in securing the future of our public libraries. https://lnkd.in/dECMzNS8

Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved groups/communities. Challenge America features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance, and grants for a set amount of $10,000. Grants require a cost share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater.

Eight libraries earmarked for closure by Enfield Council “Budget challenges” and declining usage cited as reasons to justify closing half the total number of libraries run by the council, reports James Cracknell Oakwood, John Jackson, Bullsmoor, Winchmore Hill, Bowes Road, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village and Southgate librariesClockwise from top left; Oakwood, John Jackson, Bullsmoor, Winchmore Hill, Bowes Road, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village and Southgate libraries Eight libraries are earmarked for closure by Enfield Council, a bombshell new report reveals. The council document cites “budget challenges” and declining usage as reasons to justify closing Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries. The move would save between £570,000 and £630,000 per year, while also generating up to £3.25million in capital receipts from property sales. Enfield currently has the highest number of libraries of any London borough, with 17, including a facility within Raynham Primary School. While the Raynham venue will not be closed, it will be declassified as a public library, bringing the total number run by Enfield Council down to eight if all closures go ahead. Read on at https://lnkd.in/evR38KEa

The authors of this article hit the nail on the head: essential reading for everyone. “… Here’s an example: At a typical midsize arts institution — a place like the Toledo Museum of Art, the Oakland Museum of California or the Queens Museum, an institution at which one of us has firsthand experience — much of the energy of any director is spent cobbling together funding. Most of the annual budget comes from a combination of strapped local government agencies; private philanthropy, such as foundations, individuals and corporations; and ticket sales and other earned income sources, such as venue rentals or gala events. But there’s a large chunk of the budget — usually about 40 percent — that involves infrastructure costs like keeping the lights on and paying the staff salaries. Those are the costs that few donors are stepping up to take care of (since there’s little public prestige) and that government arts grants, because of current rules, don’t cover. Yet it’s this gap in funding, this 40 percent, that’s too often threatening small and midsize cultural institutions across the country right now. There is a better way to fund the arts in America. It requires a leap of faith and creative cultural and political organizing to achieve a change in mind-set. …”