Arts Quincy Receives State Grants for Arts in Education Programs

Arts Quincy is thrilled to announce the receipt of two substantial grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Partners in Excellence Grant and Community Arts Access Program. The grants total $74,000. These transformative funds will enable Arts Quincy to significantly broaden its scope and outreach, benefitting numerous students, including those in underserved rural areas. Additionally, the grants will facilitate the reinstatement of programs targeting veterans and senior populations which were temporarily suspended during the COVID crisis.
 
The generous grants from the Illinois Arts Council come as a boost to Arts Quincy’s mission of fostering creativity, arts education and community engagement throughout the region. The grants will play a pivotal role in expanding access to arts programs, enriching the lives of countless individuals and revitalizing the cultural landscape in Western Illinois.

The initial grant allocation will be put towards Arts Quincy’s annual outreach initiative, Instant Arts Classroom Program. The program provides students opportunities to engage with various art forms including dance, music, theater, visual arts, literature, history and architecture while nurturing their artistic talents and fostering a lifelong appreciation for creativity.
 
The Instant Arts program opens in September to Adams County teachers who apply for funding to host arts organizations for an in-school performance or activity, bring teaching artists into the classroom for hands-on lessons or take students on a field trips to historic sites, museums, galleries and venues to experience arts and culture. Instant Arts Classroom Program serves thousands of pre-K through 12th grade students each year at over a dozen public, parochial and non-traditional schools throughout the county. The grant will allow Arts Quincy to expand this program as well as its After School Arts Program which began in 2021.
 
Furthermore, the grants will enable Arts Quincy to reinstate programs that were temporarily suspended during the COVID crisis at the Illinois Veterans Home and senior living facilities. These initiatives play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for veterans and seniors by using the power of arts to uplift, inspire and connect the community.
 
“We are immensely grateful to Illinois Arts Council for their unwavering support and confidence in our organization’s vision,” said Laura Sievert, Arts Quincy Executive Director. “With these grants, Arts Quincy will connect more students and seniors to more arts opportunities and we are thrilled to expand and revive programs that hold a special place in our hearts.”
 
The Illinois Arts Council has long been a champion of arts and culture, recognizing the transformative power they hold in fostering creativity, enriching lives and building vibrant communities. Arts Quincy shares this vision and is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of residents in our area through diverse artistic expression.
 
The organization eagerly looks forward to collaborating with local partners, educators and community leaders to implement these programs and initiatives, nurturing a more vibrant and inclusive cultural ecosystem throughout Western Illinois. To be included in Arts Quincy’s Resource guide as an individual teaching artist, contact Jaycie Womack Spake, Programs Manager, through email at [email protected] or call 217-222-3432.
 
For more information about Arts Quincy and upcoming programs, visit artsquincy.org.
 
About Arts Quincy: Arts Quincy is a Adams County nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting arts and culture by fostering creativity, supporting local artists and providing inclusive arts education to individuals of all ages. Through its diverse programs and initiatives, Arts Quincy aims to enrich the community and create a more vibrant cultural landscape.