Illinois Awards $325K for Public Art Projects Ahead of America 250 Celebration (Chicago, IL) – Governor JB Pritzker, in partnership with the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) and Illinois Humanities, has announced more than $325,000 in grants for 22 public art projects across the state to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The initiative is part of a broader effort led by the Illinois America 250 Commission to mark the historic milestone, with projects spanning communities from Chicago to East St. Louis, Rockford to Anna, and Peoria to Quincy.
“Illinois is proud to support new public art projects in communities across the state as we celebrate our unique place in the story of America,” Pritzker said. “These grants help bring vibrancy to public spaces, celebrate local history, and energize cultural communities.”
Each selected organization will receive funding—most at $15,000—to create installations that reflect local identity, history, and shared values. Projects include murals, community-centered artworks, and cultural storytelling initiatives designed to engage residents and visitors alike.
Awarded Illinois America 250 Public Art Recipients:
- Arts Connection of Central IL (Effingham)
- ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. (Peoria)
- Batavia Artists Association NFP Inc. (Batavia)
- Chicago Public Art Group (Chicago)
- City of Decatur dba Decatur Public Library Foundation (Decatur)
- City of Macomb (Macomb)
- City of Pontiac (Pontiac)
- DeKalb County History Center (Sycamore)
- East St. Louis Historical Society (East St. Louis)
- Freeport Arts Center (Freeport)
- Jacksonville Main Street (Jacksonville)
- Marshall Public Library (Marshall)
- Old Town School of Folk Music (Chicago)
- Olney Arts Council of Illinois (Olney)
- Quad City Arts (Rock Island)
- Quincy Society of Fine Arts (Quincy)
- Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Foundation (Rockford)
- Shawnee Hills Arts Council (Anna)
- Side Street Studio Arts NFP (Elgin)
- Village of Equality (Equality)
- Visit Champaign County Foundation (Champaign)
- Waukegan Park District (Waukegan)
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton emphasized the broader impact of the program, noting that public art plays a key role in elevating voices and histories that may otherwise go untold.
The Illinois Arts Council said the program not only enhances public spaces but also contributes to local economies by supporting artists and cultural institutions statewide.
“These projects show how art can energize local economies and deepen our sense of place across Illinois,” said IAC Board Chair Nora Daley.
Among the funded efforts are a mural in Jacksonville highlighting the Underground Railroad and a tribute in Chicago to legendary singer-songwriter John Prine, to be created by the Old Town School of Folk Music.
Officials say the initiative is intended to foster civic pride and encourage public engagement with history as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial in 2026.
Communities are encouraged to participate in the Illinois America 250 celebration through events, partnerships, and local programming, with additional project unveilings expected in the coming months.
Illinois Awards $325K for Public Art Projects Ahead of America 250 Celebration
