Urbana Public Arts Program

An Illinois Arts Friendly Community, designated by the Illinois Arts Alliance and Illinois Municipal League in 2008. Through public support for the arts, the City of Urbana increases opportunities for the creation of art, thereby enhancing the quality of life, economic development, citizen participation, cultural awareness, and vibrancy of the community.

The Arts, as used in this program, includes but is not limited to music, theatre, visual arts, dance, creative writing, film/video, crafts, performing arts, spoken word, environmental arts, multimedia arts, architectural arts, landscape architecture, and emerging media.

The Urbana Public Arts Commission was established by the City Council in April, 2008, to foster a city where all residents—emerging artists, established artists, and “non-artists” alike—may engage with the arts and where artists thrive and are valued. The Commission has developed a public arts program for Urbana which engages citizens in lifelong involvement in the arts. Click here to read the Program of Work for 2009-2010.

OPPORTUNITIES

	Urbana Arts Grants: Offering support projects that provide opportunities for all residents to engage with the arts in its many forms. The program fosters an environment for established and emerging artists to thrive in Urbana. It promotes lifelong participation and learning in the arts. The program integrates the arts into the urban environment and encourages increased economic activity. The projects of the 2009 Grantees are underway. Stay tuned for a calendar of public events. 2010 Urbana Arts Grant Application Period is now CLOSED. Look for award announcements in March. The next application period will be Fall 2011.
	ART AT THE SQUARE: Once a month, we offer free art workshops at the Urbana Market at the Square (Urbana Farmer’s Market). The 2009 season has ended, but we look forward to the next season beginning in May 2010. Local artists and art educators provide instruction in various visual art media while exploring a conceptual theme. The 2009 season explored issues related to water. URBANA SCULPTURE PROJECT: The application period has closed. Thank you to the 34 artists from 14 states who submitted work for consideration. Close to 100 sculptures will be reviewed by two jury panels in November and installation is scheduled for January, 2010. Sculptors were invited to submit digital images of existing sculptural works to be considered for placement in open air settings with high visibility and renovated streetscapes in Urbana. This project will result in a two year exhibition of up to four, free-standing sculptural works of art located in the Philo Road Corridor as part of the Philo Road Beautification Plan, and in the Iron Post courtyard on the corner of Elm and Race Streets, downtown Urbana.
STAY INFORMED	Announcement List: Send an email with the words “Add me to the arts announcement list” to alhochhalter@city.urbana.il.us and you will receive updates on opportunities and events.
	Facebook: Follow regular updates and event photos. www.facebook.com/urbanapublicarts
	Urbana Public Arts Commission meetings: Unless otherwise noted, the Commission meets regularly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:00pm, in the City Council Chambers, at 400 S. Vine Street in Urbana. All meetings are open to the public. To receive an agenda, contact the Public Arts Coordinator.