Press Release

Illinois Humanities Awards Community Grants to Nine Organizations

September 19, 2015

Nine Illinois Organizations Awarded Latest Round of Community Grants

Midwestern Women Artists, Chicago Dance History, and “10 Years of Chances/Dances” some of the projects receiving support from the overall $35,235 overall grant for this cycle. Next round of Community Grant applications is due October 15th

 

CHICAGO, IL – Sept. 22, 2015 – Illinois Humanities’ Board of Directors has awarded a total of $35,235 to nine nonprofit organizations across Illinois for the development and the production of public humanities projects. The grantees are:

  • Midwest Women Artists, 1940-1960 – Bradley University ($3,395) Funding to support an October, 2015, symposium on Midwestern women artists, to take place in Peoria.
  • Vietnam War Film Project: Fire for Effect – Macon County Historical Society (fiscal sponsor for History Factory) ($5,000) Funding to support a film exploring Decatur, Ill., and its relationship to the Vietnam war.
  • Chicago Dance History Project – Fractured Atlas (fiscal sponsor) ($4,950) Funding to support a digital humanities project that preserves and presents the history of dance in Chicago.
  • Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project – Northeastern Illinois University ($5,000) Funding to support an initiative that connects teaching scholars, artists and writers to men at Stateville Prison.
  • Pilsen, Presente – ElevArte Community Studio ($5,000) Funding to support a community-wide oral history and photography project.
  • 100 Hauntings – Free Street Theater ($5,000) Funding to support a community-driven performance project based on archival research, interviews and workshops around ghost stories from across the city.
  • General Support – Western Illinois Museum ($850) Funding to support the Macomb, Ill., museum that is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the history of Western Illinois.
  • “CHARM” – Northlight Theater ($3,500) Funding to support a play based on the real-life work of Mama Gloria, a transgender woman running a charm school for LGBTQ youth out of the Center on Halsted.
  • “Making Chances Exhibit” – Gallery 400, University of Illinois at Chicago ($2,000) Funding to support a multi-venue series of events and exhibits featuring artwork and performances celebrating 10 years of Chances Dances.

Any nonprofit group, organization or institution is eligible for financial support from Illinois Humanities. Illinois Humanities funds public projects in the humanities, including documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects. Nonprofits with annual budgets of $250,000 or less can apply for technical assistance grants, and nonprofits with a primary focus on the humanities can apply for general support grants. The deadline for the next application cycle is October 15, 2015.

Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines. Please call 312.374.1555 or send an email to mark.hallett@ilhumanities.org. Illinois Humanities program officers are available for consultations, and new applicants are encouraged to contact program officers for grant advice.

 

About Illinois Humanities

Illinois Humanities is an independent, nonprofit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, with a mission to strengthen society by fueling inquiry and conversation about the ideas and works that shape our culture. Illinois Humanities engages communities across Illinois in conversation in a variety of humanities programs that focus on Public Policy, Media & Journalism, Business, and Art. Illinois Humanities lowers barriers to participation and offers access to programs, events, and grants to all Illinoisans, regardless of their economic resources, cultural background, or geographic location. Illinois Humanities is supported by state, federal, and private funds.For more, visit www.ILhumanities.org.