State: IL

The SPECTRA Reading Series invites established poets and writers from around the country to share the stage with local/regional writers, as a means of showcasing local talent and celebrating the literary arts in our community. From its start in 2012, SPECTRA events are held at the celebrated venue Rozz-Tox in Rock Island, IL, and are always free and open to the public.

Grant funds choreographers for two musicals in our 2024-25 season: ”Bright Star” (December 2024) and “Dream Girls” (April 2025). As culturally authentic dance is an integral aspect of these productions, this grant will assure the integrity and success of these productions. Drama Group elevates our community by supporting local, diverse talent. Ensuring this tradition is imperative.

From Sept 30th to Nov 17th 2024, the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA) will produce its marquee program the 7th annual Destinos: Chicago International Latino Theater Festival, presenting over 15 local, national, and international Spanish and English culturally diverse live productions, student matinees, post-show talk-backs, panels, workshops and networking events throughout Chicago.

Chicago Tap Theatre will create opportunities for various populations in Chicago to learn from Black Canadian and former Chicagoan Lisa LaTouche, including: viewing her film Trax, a Q&A on the findings of her research (in conjunction with Chicago-based historians), 2 classes and a Q&A with students at a majority Black school and a culminating event that ties the themes of the project together.

In a master class led by a professional stained glass artist, Campanella members and refugee families will collaborate in creating stained glass panels symbolizing fragility, tempering, and strength. In the hands-on process of creating glass art panels followed by the stained glass exhibition and choir concert, they will live through and feel the transformative power of art in healing brokenness.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of The Chicago International Film Festival, the Black chamber music collective D-Composed will join forces with the Festival to celebrate the works of Black film composers with a live performance and post-show panel discussion around the role of music in storytelling.

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will present a celebration of Mexican music and culture at our May 17, 2025 season finale concert, "Mexican Montage," featuring Mexican-American pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, in a performance of Carlos Chavez's seldom-played Piano Concerto (a 20th century Mexican masterpiece) and the music of Arturo Marquez, an influential living Mexican composer.

We will be hosting a visit of the traditional Afro-Indigenous Son Jarocho music group, Colectivo Altepee from Veracruz, Mexico for a one week visit. We will have music workshops, a photo exhibit with panel discussion, and a performance for the community.

ARTSiE's literacy through the arts project focuses on Evanston's Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center where we will work with local artists to create its first community mural and provide year-round enrichment programming to under-represented students in Evanston’s 5th ward. This public mural will celebrate cultural diversity, environmental stewardship and intergenerational collaboration.

Just Below The Surface is an exploration of Chicago's Queer photographic history through the eyes of prolific photographers Diana Solis and Patric McCoy, whose work encapsulates Chicago’s Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities throughout several decades. This exhibition will coincide with Chicago Art Departments 20th Anniversary and will be on view in person from September 14 - October 27, 2024.