These Illinois Arts Week events
are excellent examples of
successful celebrations. Each
has a unique story and valuable
ideas that may be helpful as
you are planning Arts Week
events for 2006.
Palos Fine Arts Association, Palos Hills
The Palos Fine Arts Association
presented Celebrate the Arts in Palos, a
three-day cultural event during Arts Week
at over 40 venues in Palos Hills, Palos
Park and Palos Heights. With art exhibits
at local businesses, libraries, nature
centers, and public buildings, the entire
Palos area offered a diverse sampling of
arts events.
City of Evanston, Evanston
The City of Evanston’s celebrated
Evanston Arts Week with 60+ events over
nine days, including two week-ends.
Ongoing events, open artists’ studios,
free workshops, cooperative music and
dance showcases, and bus tours of public
art were promoted. Each day’s theme,
such as music, dance, film, museums,
visual arts, and family day, provided focus
as events took place at multiple venues
throughout Evanston.
Fine Arts Building, Chicago
This Chicago architectural gem opened
its doors for visitors to view artists in their
studios and exhibitions in five unique
galleries, purchase fine arts and crafts and
peruse shops selling rare books, music,
and vintage drums, among other
treasures. Music filled the air from voice,
dance and music studios.
40 North/88 West, Champaign
In 2004, 40 North/88 West hosted the
creator of Found magazine, who
performed a rambunctious reading and
singing of found objects from across the
country. Audience members were
encouraged to share their own found
objects. The house was packed, and the
laughter was non-stop.
Galena/Jo Daviess County Artists’
Open Studios
A local gallery initiated a JoDaviess
countywide Arts Week event where over
50 artists hosted open studios and
galleries held artists’ demonstrations.
Highlighting its exceptional number of
artists, restaurants, and businesses
throughout Galena had art everywhere
from walls to windows.
Illinois Tourist Information
Centers - Statewide
For six years Illinois’ 14 Highway
Welcome Centers have recognized the
arts during Arts Week by hosting art
exhibits, artists’ demonstrations and
performances. Each center used this
annual statewide celebration to introduce
visitors to Illinois’ wide-variety of cultural
experiences.
International House, Chicago
Beginning in 2002, as a part of its 70th
anniversary celebration, The University of
Chicago’s International House has
celebrated Illinois Arts Week through a
showcase of world music, dance, and arts
featuring both regional and international
master artists.
Lutheran Home and Services, Park Ridge
Every day during Arts Week the home
featured a different artist or arts activity
from music, dance, and arts lectures to
storytelling, poetry and crafts as this
senior retirement home buzzed with fun
all week.
Mt. Vernon Showcases the Arts
Arts Week opened the annual Cedarhurst
Chamber Music series with exhibitions,
tours of Cedarhurst Sculpture Park, and
a live performance at the mall for families.
Cedarhurst Center worked with the local
high school students on the annual
Chalk-in on the Square, and the Art in the
City committee provided tours of
Jefferson County Historical Society and
Brehm Memorial Library exhibits and
sculpture located in Mt. Vernon. Local
artists presented a variety of additional
programs and activities.
Ravenswood Arts and Industry Walk,
Chicago
This evolving, dynamic creative district,
filled with artists, arts businesses and light
industry, celebrated Arts Week with an
opening night party and a walk to visit
galleries, studios, and businesses in over
20 locations along Ravenswood Avenue.
Tarble Arts Center, Charleston
Three days of Illinois Arts Week
celebrations marked the Tarble’s
rededication which was held in October
2004, and included a rededication
reception, a formal dinner followed by
showcases of classical and traditional
music, a poetry reading, and theatrical
performances. Events culminated in a
family festival featuring ballet
performances by local dance students
accompanied by student musicians,
puppetry demonstrations, and artist
demonstrations of glass bead making and
Indian Henna painting.
Vermilion County Museum, Danville
The Vermilion County Museum Society
has participated in every Illinois Arts
Week celebration since its inception in
1978. A Sunday afternoon open house
was held highlighting between 20 to 30
local artists and craftsmen who
demonstrated their talents.
WEIU-TV, Charleston
For the past two years WEIU-TV has
featured “Prairie State Gallery, Portraits
of Illinois Artists”. In this one-hour
televised program, a group of unique and
talented Illinois artists from the region
opened their studios for an intimate look
at the creative process and the inspiration
behind their work.
WAYS TO CELEBRATE!
4
Explore the opportunities
around you and
discover the
arts all
around
us!
I L LI N OI S A RTS COU N C IL
I L L INOIS AR T S C OUN CIL
state.il.us/agency/iac
8 14, 2006
