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Priorities and Policies
Priorities
- The Council recognizes the crucial role our state’s artists, arts organizations, and the cultural creative sector play in society. Priority is therefore given to those programs involving Illinois artists and arts organizations.
- Priority will be given to those arts activities that provide economic opportunities for Illinois artists.
- The Council is supportive of arts activities that serve under-resourced communities including rural, high-poverty, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color), and disability communities.
- Priority will be given to those organizations that have demonstrated sound management practices.
Policies Regarding Organizations
- Each applicant organization must be registered as a Section 501(c)(3) in good standing with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. Units of government, institutions of higher education, and national/regional service organizations approved by the Illinois Arts Council are also eligible to apply.
- Each applicant organization must hold tax-exempt status from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must qualify as a charitable organization under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended. Units of government, institutions of higher education, or federally recognized Indian tribal governments are also eligible to apply. Each applicant organization must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), assigned by the Internal Revenue Service.
- Each applicant organization must be registered with Sam.gov and have a UEI (commercial and government entity code).
- The Council cannot support fundraisers, benefits, receptions, or other social functions, or functions where arts and artists are not the primary focus.
- The Council cannot support out-of-state touring.
- While the Council recognizes the need of arts organizations for financial support, grant funds from the Council should be considered supplemental. No guarantee can be made for support for more than one year.
- Organizations that receive support from other government sources are eligible to apply for Council funds for arts projects.
- The Council recognizes the importance of fostering diversity and inclusion in Illinois’ rich heritage and supports the diverse art forms of all ethnic and racial groups.
- The Council recognizes that increasing public understanding of, and access to, the arts through comprehensive arts education at all age levels is one way to create support for the arts. The Council supports arts activities with a public component that complement school curriculum and creative youth development.
- The Council supports college and university arts programs if they benefit and are accessible to the general public. Those events which are normally considered a part of regular or academic programs will not be funded.
- Council funds may not be used to pay the balance of an organization’s previous year’s operating deficit.
- With the exception of state colleges and universities other State of Illinois’s agencies and their affiliates are ineligible to receive funds from the IAC. State agencies are those entities defined by the Office of the Comptroller in Procedure 27.50.10, pp 3 to 60 of the SAMS manual.
- Council funds may not be used for political activities such as contributions, lobbying, or fundraisers.
Policies Regarding Individuals
- Council will not support subsidizing an individual’s academic study.
- Individuals must be residents of the State of Illinois at least one year prior to applying to any Council grants program.
- Individuals must be eighteen years of age at time of application.
- Individuals must be able to supply proof of age and residency at time of application.
- Individuals receiving grant funds from the Council retain the responsibility to file the appropriate documentation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).