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ARTS IN THE PARKS A Time Honored Tradition Enrich Your Arts Programming with Support from the Illinois Arts Council by Ann Ridge Nearly one hundred years ago, Bowen Park was the center of culture and activity in the northern Illinois town of Waukegan, called "Little Fort" by its earliest inhabitants. Today, Bowen Park is again a hub of activity and culture, as home to the Jack Benny Center for the Arts and the many performances and educational programs offered by the Waukcgan Park District. The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) recognizes the need to support the arts in a wide range of settings, including Illinois park, recreation and conservation agencies. The council's history of support for "arts in the parks" throughout the state has been part of its mission since its inception 40 years ago. "Our state has the good fortune of having a rich and diverse body of professional artists and educators in every artistic discipline," said IAC Chairman Shirley R. Madigan. "The parks are a natural place for the talents of these artists to be shared, appreciated and participated in by people of all ages, from toddlers to teens to seniors, including people of all abilities." www.ilparks.org September/October 2005 65

Through the Youth Employment in the Arts Program, young people learn about professions in the arts, such as set and prop design.

Grants to Help Art Happen

The IAC offers a wide variety of grant programs that support every kind of arts activity, from touring artists and artist residencies to employment opportunities for youth and support for arts festivals and special arts projects. These grants are available to Illinois not-for-profit organizations, including park, recreation and conservation agencies. "The park setting becomes a magical place when the arts are alive and people become involved. Illinois is filled with a cross section of arts and culture to be experienced and expressed, and our parks are the perfect place to see it happen," continued Chairman Madigan.

"I encourage IAPD member agencies to use IAC grants to enhance cultural programming and bring the arts into their parks," said IAPD President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Flickinger. "These projects can breathe new life into your arts programming and into your way of creating community. I don't believe this is an opportunity we should miss."

The Scope of IAC Grants and Programs

IAC grant programs run the gamut from small Special Assistance Grants to larger Program Grants to support public arts activities, such as the grant given to the Waukegan Park District to produce programs and educational activities in the visual and performing arts. Program grants are awarded to organizations that have a proven track record for arts programming outside their normal class and program schedule.

Parks, recreation and conservation agencies with small or developing arts programs and projects, or applicants who do not have established arts programs, can take advantage of the TAC's Special Assistance Grants. A good example of a project that was awarded this grant is the Cranes Grove Bluegrass Festival, which takes place at the Oakdale Nature Preserve in the Freeport Park District. Bluegrass musicians and enthusiasts from the entire region attend this event, which provides an opportunity for local rural and underserved audiences to enjoy live music. With the IAC's continuing support and the guidance of bluegrass music peers and mentors, the festival producers

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are looking forward to growing next year and further establishing the festival as an annual event.

Another park district with a history of providing outstanding arts programming is the Champaign Park District, which received a Special Assistance Grant to support its CU-Express festival. The park district wanted to explore the expansion of an existing festival that had originally been designed for people with disabilities, and, using universal design techniques, create an event that would appeal to the entire community, including people with disabilities. Incorporating a variety of accessibility techniques, it featured the Little Theatre of the Deaf's presentation of Fingers Around the World at the historic Virginia Theatre, bringing new life, energy and audiences to this venerable Illinois theatre. After the performance, the district offered a workshop to show other organizations how they could use accessibility techniques to make theaters and other venues accessible to people with disabilities.

Artstour

The IAC's Artstour program is a way to bring professional artists into park, recreation and conservation agencies where their work can touch people of all ages. The touring artists in this program are contracted by Illinois not-for-profit organizations to perform at their venues. Touring visual and media arts exhibitions are also available. The possible programming options and applications for Artstour artists and programs are endless. For instance, Artstour roster artist Margaret Carlson sang for the Batavia Senior Citizens Club at the Batavia Park District, an event that brought out the crowds and brought down the house. Through an Artstour application submitted by the Rockford Park District Foundation, artist David Stocker, performing with the ensemble One Drum, highlighted the celebration at the International Day of Peace at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza. Their captivating performance was so well received that One Drum will return to perform at this year's Day of Peace event on September 21. These are just two of the many ways that Artstour artists can be incorporated into a program or event.

Grants to Introduce Youth to Working in the Arts

Many of the IAC's grant programs support arts programming for children and teens. However, the Youth Employment in the Arts Program is particularly designed for high school-aged youth to engage in on-the-job training in an arts-related setting. The Palatine Park District has taken advantage of this grant and hired youths who have held a variety of jobs with Caught in The Act Youth Theatre and the Second Suburb Players. The project has been a success for everyone. The youth receive first-hand experience and payment for their work, and the park district (at very little cost) has dedicated theater employees that are eager to take on a variety of important jobs, such as assisting in building scenery, scene and lighting design or general administrative duties.

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Catina Briscoe's ceramic art residency at the Peoria Park District intrigued children of all ages.

Bringing a S.T.A.R. to Your Agency

Artist residencies at park districts are supported through the Short Term Artist Residency (S.T.A.R.) program. Parks can sponsor a residency of a total of five to 30 hours, where professional artists conduct workshops, classes, demonstrations and lectures geared toward specific populations. Recent examples of S.T.A.R. residencies include a ceramics and sculpture workshop offered by artist Catina Briscoe at the Peoria Park District's Proctor Center and a visual arts and photography residency held by artist John Hennessey at the Round Lake Area Park District in northern Illinois. Both projects not only provided exceptional arts experiences, they also were particularly designed to address the needs of underserved children. Briscoe worked closely with children from disadvantaged families and Hennessey's project was geared toward youth with a variety of abilities.

Program Grants for Established Arts Programs and Projects

The Decatur Park District, a longtime IAC Program Grant recipient, is known for the distinguished work of the Decatur Park Singers and its exceptional cultural arts program. In 1999, the park district won a Governor's Award for the Arts, an awards program sponsored by the IAC that recognizes significant accomplishments in the arts. The award was given in the community category for the widespread impact the district's arts programs have had on the entire region. "The Decatur Park District has long been a dedicated supporter of cultural arts activities, and through partnering with the Illinois Arts Council we continue to strive to provide programming for people of all ages which, in turn, allows everyone in our community a chance to enjoy experiences they otherwise might not have," said Chris Riley, president of the Decatur Park Board of Commissioners.

The Program Grant awarded to the Skokie Park District for its Festival of Cultures supports one of the most highly regarded multi-cultural festivals in Illinois. The Skokie community has a far-reaching diversity that is celebrated and honored at this annual event. Thirty-five different ethnic groups are represented, with people of every continent showcasing their artistic wares and culture through dance, music, cultural exhibits, an international bazaar, extensive multi-media exhibitions and demonstrations of the arts. It is a feast for the senses that creates a feeling of community' among cultures.

The Decatur Park Singers are recognized for their community outreach.

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The Skokie Festival of Cultures celebrates the arts and culture of many nations.

Arts in the Parks and All Around Us

"October is National Arts and Humanities Month, with Illinois Arts Week 2005 to take place from October 16 to 22. This annual statewide celebration of the arts invites all of Illinois' multi-faceted communities to participate. It is an excellent time of year to focus on the arts and perhaps identify new ways to involve your community in a creative program or endeavor. We hope you will see the Illinois Art Council as a valuable resource, and together we can continue to support the Illinois Arts Week slogan, 'The Arts Are All Around Us'," concluded Chairman Madigan.

Meet the IAC's Artstour and Arts-in-Education program roster artists at the Artist Showcase in Tinley Park. Mark Your Calendars Preview Talent for Your Agency at the IAC Artist Showcase Thinking of bringing an artist to perform or teach at your agency next year? Then don't miss your chance at the upcoming Illinois Arts Council's Artist Showcase on Friday, November 4, 2005 at the Holiday Inn in Tinley Park. Each year, the IAC conducts an Artist Showcase, a daylong sampling of artists from a wide variety of disciplines who teach, perform and exhibit through the IAC's Artstour and Arts-in-Education Residency programs. Park district directors, fine arts coordinators and staff are able to meet many of the artists listed on the IAC's rosters of artists and discover an Artstour or Arts-in-Education Residency artist who would be a good match for their agency. For more information about the Artist Showcase, contact the Arts-in-Education program representative at (312) 814-6780, or visit the IAC Web site at www.state.il.us/agency/iac. Registration information will be available in September. The deadline for early registration is October 21, with late registrations accepted through November 4.

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