The Regional Arts Partner Grant, formerly known as the Community Arts Access Grant, provides funding opportunities for individual artists, arts organizations, and nonprofit organizations engaged in arts-related initiatives. Administered with support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the City of Rockford, and Amazon, this grant is designed to nurture and support creative efforts within four counties: Boone, DeKalb, Ogle, and Winnebago. The program aligns with the mission of the administering Arts Council, which seeks to advocate for and cultivate artistic talent and organizations in the region.
This annual grant program is designed to promote accessibility and inclusivity in the arts by supporting eligible artists and organizations through financial assistance of up to $2,500 per project. Projects must clearly be arts-related and funding can be used for specific categories including artist fees, art supplies (consumables), rental fees, and publicity-related costs. Each applicant is allowed to submit only one application per project annually, ensuring equitable distribution of resources.
Eligibility requirements are clear: applicants must either be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or an individual artist/organization working in partnership with such an entity. Applicants must be operating within the designated four-county region and must have submitted final or interim reports if they received funding in a previous cycle. Reapplying for the same project within the same cycle is not permitted.
The application process includes participation in informational workshops designed to help potential applicants navigate the requirements. For 2025, these workshops were held via Zoom on October 2 and October 7. Registration was available through email, ensuring broad access to support and clarification prior to submission.
The application deadline for the 2026 grant cycle was Friday, November 7, at 5:00 pm. Applications submitted past this deadline are not considered. All submissions undergo a review by a panel consisting of arts professionals and community arts advocates to ensure a fair and informed evaluation process.
Overall, the Regional Arts Partner Grant plays a vital role in sustaining and advancing the arts across the participating Illinois counties. It offers not only financial support but also encourages community engagement, innovation, and cultural enrichment through its focused investment in the arts.
Only one grant per project allowed annually; panel of arts professionals reviews applications.
