ArtsPartners of Central Illinois is proud to serve as the Local Arts Network for the Tri-County region of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. As a designated Local Arts Network member for Illinois, it plays a role in fostering creativity, supporting artists, and ensuring the arts thrive across our community. This distinction underscores a commitment to connecting the arts with broader audiences and providing state and national resources that elevate the cultural landscape of our region. Through our programs, services, and advocacy, we aim to make the arts accessible and meaningful to everyone.

ArtsPartners offers a wide variety of programs and services to support artists, organizations, and the community. Signature programs include Sky Art Peoria, which showcases local art on billboards, and Ignite Peoria, a dynamic celebration of creativity that inspires innovation and collaboration. The Business of Art conference equips artists with essential entrepreneurial skills. This year ArtsPartners launched “Follow Your Arts Gallery” located at 706 West Main Street next to the Costume Trunk, providing a new space for artists to showcase their work and for the community to connect with the arts.

A free artist index to showcase artwork, list contact information, and build professional connections is in the final stages of development and will be highlighted on a new website in 2025 with expanded resources for artists, organizations, and arts enthusiasts. The ArtsDollars grant program, now in its second year, funds local arts projects and initiatives including:

Central Illinois Friends finding inclusion and supporting healthy body, mind and spirit with a mural symbolizing hope, love and safety in the face of discrimination.

Elmwood Center for the Humanities is collaborating with Tiffany Thomas and Aja Blue to produce six historical documentary short films to premiere at the Palace Theater in 2025.

Harmonize Peoria will mentor young musicians with 10 weeks of experimental and Garage Band Open Stage performances.

Illini Bluffs PTO supports arts education in a district without the funding for dedicated teachers. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade work with volunteers and local artists.

Peoria Public Schools- Valeska Hinton will work with art therapist Jeanna Fearon to engage family focus art experiences and staff workshops in dance, puppetry and sensory-safe processes.