Springfield Area Arts Council

🎨 City Arts Grant Applications Now Open! 🎨

Springfield artists are invited to apply for funding to support projects that bring creativity, culture, and artistic experiences to the city of Springfield.

These grants help make new exhibitions, performances, public art, and creative programs possible right here in Springfield. If you have an idea that will engage and inspire the community through the arts, we encourage you to apply.

📅 Application Deadline: April 17
🔗 Learn more about eligibility and apply today: springfieldartsco.org/city-arts

This program is funded through support from the City of Springfield.

📷 Photo Credit: Cee Jones
Fae Propaganda Art Show
2024 City Arts Grant Project

Twenty-four hours from now - at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 2, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts - talented teens from around the state will compete for the state championship of Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest and the opportunity to represent the prairie state late next month in D.C.
These insightful and energetic competitors already have won classroom, school, and regional contests. Please come to enjoy (and perhaps learn from) their recitations of classic American poetry. There's plenty of room in the LRS Theater, and it is an accessible venue. Hearing assistance is available from the box office. And it's free.

⏳ One week to go!

The Illinois Poetry Out Loud State Competition takes place Monday, March 2 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hoogland Center for the Arts — and our Central Illinois students are ready to take the stage. The competition will welcome special guest Mark Turcotte, Illinois Poet Laureate.

Our Champion and Runner-Up will represent our region with talent, dedication, and powerful performances. They will be joined by 12 other students who will vie for the title of State Champion.

Join us to support these incredible students and celebrate the art of spoken word. 🎤📖

Let’s pack the house and cheer them on!

The Illinois State Competition is co-coordinated by the Springfield Area Arts Council and the Illinois Arts Council.

Champion: Jillian Garcia of Decatur’s Eisenhower High School
Runner-Up: Ace O’Malley of Springfield Southeast High School
Alternate: Emma Selhime of Pawnee High School

📸William Richards Photography