Re-post from The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) website:

Overview

The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) has a long history of support for Illinois’ individual artists.  Until this year, the IAC Artist Fellowship Program had continuously provided fellowships to Illinois creative artists for more than 20 years.  Illinois artists have also been supported through the Special Assistance, Ethnic & Folk Arts Master/Apprentice and Governor’s International Arts Exchange Programs.  In addition, the Artstour Program and Arts-in-Education residencies have provided opportunities for artists to work as teaching artists and performers throughout Illinois. The IAC recognizes that individual artists are the keystone to the creation of art. The Council remains committed to individual artists despite diminishing resources.

Due to the steep reduction in the IAC’s operating budget for grants, several grant programs had to be suspended for FY2010 and others had to be greatly reduced.  The limited funds available in FY2010 to provide direct support to individual artists forced the agency to suspend the Artists Fellowship and Ethnic and Folk Arts Master/Apprenticeship Program and severely limit the availability of Special Assistance opportunities for artists.  The Individual Artist Support (IAS) Initiative was developed to bridge the gap left by the suspension of these programs. Continue reading Illinois Arts Council support to individual artists