Our Mission
Founded in 1999, ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, non-for-profit organization whose mission is to build awareness and strengthen the arts for the economic and cultural enrichment of Central Illinois.
Our vision is to be the one-stop source for arts information in Central Illinois; and to facilitate partnerships and programs that empower and raise awareness for the arts. We work to accomplish our mission by…
Engaging the Community with the Arts
We facilitate partnerships, initiatives and programs that encourage and expand opportunities for public participation in the arts. Additionally, we coordinate information and resources on behalf of local arts organizations to help keep the arts on the community agenda.
Supporting the Arts
We promote the arts through community-wide marketing activities aimed at developing new audiences and patrons for the arts in central Illinois. Additionally, we champion professional development and networking opportunities to strengthen our greater arts community.
Our Staff
Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright
Executive Director
Rachel Dart
Community Engagement Coordinator
Lily A. Blouin
Bookkeeper
Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright
Executive Director
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright holds a master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in the digital humanities field from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, with a teaching background in the sciences and humanities. In addition to her role as Executive Director at ArtsPartners, she is Affiliate Faculty and Coordinator of Public History at Bradley University. Past roles include Executive Director of Big Picture Peoria, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and as an educator at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Mae currently serves as Vice Chair on the Advisory Board of the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and sits on the City of Peoria’s Public Arts Advisory Commission. In the past, she sat on the Board of Directors of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Acorn Equality Fund, Public Relations Association of Central Illinois, and ART, Inc., along with various other committees with area organizations like Align Peoria and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. Mae received the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Award, which honors emerging leaders between the ages of 25 and 40 who strive toward the highest levels of personal and professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and serve as a role model for young women. In 2020, she received the 25 Women in Leadership Award from WEEK - 25 News. She is a member of Americans for the Arts and Women in Leadership of Central Illinois. In her spare time, Mae enjoys reading, gardening with her husband Jonathan, and catching up on podcasts.
- [email protected]
- 456 Fulton St. Suite 300 Peoria, IL 61602
Rachel Dart
Community Engagement Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
Rachel Dart received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting through Friends University. She was a professional ballet dancer for the previous seven years, but she continues to teach and inspire students of all ages. In addition to her role with ArtsPartners, Rachel works as the Administrative Assistant and an Instructor at AerFire. Outside of work, she is pursuing her CPT and her CMA and likes to spend as much time with her dog as possible.
- 309-676-2787
- [email protected]
- 456 Fulton St. Suite 300 Peoria, IL 61602
Lily A. Blouin
Bookkeeper
Lily A. Blouin is a freelance nonprofit professional with over 10 years experience working in the nonprofit sector. A Licensed consultant through the Standards for Excellence Institute© and certified BoardSource consultant, Lily specializes in nonprofit administration and leadership development, bookkeeping, financial analysis, and strategic visioning. Lily holds an M.A. in History and B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Western Illinois University and is a Certified Strategic Planning Facilitator through the Consultants Development Institute. She currently serves as Vice President of the Board for United Way of Greater Warren County and is an active member of the Illinois Theatre Association, Educational Theatre Association, and National Dance Education Organization. Lily is also an active theatre artist, educator, and community arts advocate, and can often be found performing on a community theatre stage or behind the scenes as a director, dance choreographer, fight director, or intimacy choreographer.
Officers and Board Members
Frannie Heine, President
She/Her/Hers
Frannie was born and raised in Peoria, IL and attended Illinois State University, receiving her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management with a minor in International Business. She has spent her career at Maui Jim Sunglasses where she’s held various roles across Human Resources, Global Operations, and Supply Chain. Frannie’s passion for travel and exploring new cultures has led her to work closely with Maui Jim’s international teams, including a 5-year assignment in Dubai, UAE. In her current role as Director of Domestic Fulfillment and Global Logistics, Frannie oversees all logistics, warehousing, and fulfillment functions. She leads a team of 70+ individuals to move Maui Jim’s products from our manufacturers to our distribution centers and customers around the world.
Frannie was recently honored as a 2022 recipient of the Early Career Achievement Award through Illinois State University’s College of Business. She currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, where she also sits on the Ignite Peoria Committee. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Peoria Grown, a local food insecurity charity. In her spare time, Frannie enjoys participating in book clubs, curating trips for friends and family, and attending art events and local farmers markets with her husband and daughter.
Megan Pedigo, Vice President
She/Her/Hers
Megan Pedigo has been involved with ArtsPartners of Central Illinois since the launch of Ignite Peoria back in 2014. Megan enjoys exploring the arts alongside her twin daughters. Their favorite activities include Ignite Peoria, Sculpture Walk, and the amazing exhibits at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. She works at Easterseals Central Illinois as the Director of Marketing and Communications. She is a member of the Illini Bluffs Elementary School Board, WCBU Advisory Board and board member with the Public Relations Society of America - Central Illinois Chapter. Megan originally from Sycamore, Illinois, Megan has lived in the Peoria area for over 13 years. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University.
Hiral Hudson, Treasurer
She/Her/Hers
Hiral was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University where she met her husband, Sam. She joined Morgan Stanley in 2010, where she continues to serve as a Financial Advisor for the Epley-Wolbeck Group. In addition to advice, Hiral educates and prepares her clients for any financial blind spots they may face. In 2023, she completed the rigorous education and testing requirements to become a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP®.
Hiral, her husband, Sam, and their two kids (Juliana and Charlie) currently live west of Brimfield, IL. When not spending time with family and friends, Hiral is passionate about giving back to the community. She serves on the board for ArtsPartners, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, and FamilyCore. She is also a member of both the Junior League of Peoria and Women in Leadership of Central Illinois, where she was recently given the Community Leader Award. Hiral has dedicated herself to making Peoria a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.
Kevin Evans, Secretary
Kevin has a wide range of leadership, economic, and business development expertise. Previously, Kevin is the founder of Snave Trading a broker dealer and member of the Chicago Stock Exchange, Managing Member of Snave Partners Limited an Investment Trading partnership and Kevin Evans & Associates an employee benefits consulting firm, combined more than 25 as an entrepreneur, he transitioned to business mentoring and advising spending 3 years between 2016 – 2019 as the Director for the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. During his tenure at the SBDC, Kevin assisted more than 400 business in their startup and growth goals. In addition, he is certified as a Business Development Advisor through the Illinois Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth Association, Illinois Entrepreneurship Network, and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He also holds certificates from VentureWell, Lean LaunchPad Educator and serves as a Co.Starters Facilitator.
Chelsea Carmona
Bio Forthcoming
Everley Davis
Everley Davis is the community and ESI engagement coordinator at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. In addition to managing the museum’s innovative flagship program, the Every Student Initiative, Everley also works closely with the curations team. She has lent her hand to exhibitions like “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone” and was an integral part of bringing nationally renowned artist Alfred Conteh to the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Davis has worked with the Peoria Riverfront Museum since May 2021, and some of the major achievements in her tenure include: producing “Project Fashion Show,” which used grants from Art Bridges to allow high school students to create garments based off of Andy Warhols’ Endangered Species Prints, being the liaison for an original piece from artist Alfred Conteh and working tirelessly to strengthen the quality of the Every Student Intiative program, which serves 44 schools in the central Illinois area. Previous to her time at the museum, Everley worked with Art Inc., first as a program coordinator and then as a teacher. Her experience with Art Inc. lends her a strong background in education, as well as a strong connection to her community. Everley serves as the chair of the Sky Art committee, sits on the board of ArtsPartners in central Illinois, and was one of the founding members of not-for-profit organization Peoria Grown. When Mayor Rita Ali chose 50 emerging role models in Peoria’s Black community, Everley was honored to be among those selected. Everley is a Peoria native, an equestrian, and though she is passionate about travel, she has strong home-town connections and loves to spend time with family.
Dr. Sarah Glover
Sarah Glover teaches courses in Medieval Art, Northern Renaissance Art, Art Criticism and Gender in Art. She received a Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Virginia where she specialized in the study of medieval manuscripts. Her early research focused on the iconography of illustrations of Marian miracles appearing in devotional books made for women in late Medieval England. Her study of medieval art extends beyond the illuminated page to consider the use of medieval imagery and Marian iconography in contemporary art and textile design. She has published on a wide range of topics from the Marian Miracle Cycle at Eton College to the motif of the Vagina Dentata in contemporary American visual culture. Her current research focuses on the use of Medieval and Renaissance art in the fashion industry and digital textile design.
Joshua Herman
Joshua has practiced law since 2008, concentrating in municipal law, school law, employment law, commercial law, and related litigation. Joshua received his Bachelor’s degree in 2003 from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. After his deployment to Iraq as an Army Reservist, Joshua attended the Chicago-Kent and the University of Illinois Colleges of Law. While at the University of Illinois, Joshua received the Best Trial Advocate and Best Oral Advocate awards in addition to being on the Green National Moot Court Team. In 2008 he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the Rickert Awards for Excellence in Advocacy and Excellence in Academics. He is also a member of the Order of the Coif. Joshua is admitted to practice in Illinois.
Ross Miller
Ross guides entrepreneurs that are looking to scale product-based businesses nationally and globally through his company Sherpa Enterprises, LLC. He currently is involved in investor relations and business strategy as part of the Legal team of Natural Fiber Welding (NFW). NFW produces proprietary eco-friendly materials for the fashion and automotive industries.
Previously, Ross spent 19+ years advising local businesses at the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. During that time he advised over 3500 clients and was connected with 300+ startups and 15 acquisitions. He taught innovation courses in the Foster College of Business as well as co-founded Brave Launch, a business accelerator.
Ross also has experience in web development and advertising, working with Global 500 manufacturers and small businesses throughout the US. Ross has a core belief that supporting artists in the region is the best way to maintain and develop a unique community culture that makes the Greater Peoria Area a desirable place to live.
Robert Parkhurst
Bob Parkhurst is a CPA with 35 years of experience in public accounting, for profit, and nonprofit companies. He has held leadership positions with organizations in the direct marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail industries. Bob is the CFO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois where he leads the Finance, Human Resources, IT, and Marketing/Communications teams. Bob and his wife Jenny reside near Peoria, Illinois. They are both active community volunteers and supporters of the performing arts. Bob has served as President and Treasurer of various arts organizations in Central Illinois including the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, The Peoria Symphony Foundation, and Corn Stock Theatre. Bob is a current board member of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois. Jenny and Bob have two grown children residing in Peoria and New York City.
Stacy Peterson
Stacy Peterson serves as the Strategic Communications Manager and Public Information Officer for the City of Peoria. In this role, she works across all departments and enjoys communicating all aspects of the City with community members and visitors. She has been involved with the arts in Peoria as the Fine Art Fair Coordinator for the Peoria Art Guild, served as member of the Steering Committee of SculptureWalk Peoria, and many other arts initiatives. She is a board member of Arts Alliance Illinois, the Dirksen Congressional Center, Community Foundation of Central Illinois, CWTC, and the Friends of the Peoria Public Library.
Donald Shafer
Don Shafer has resided in the Peoria area since graduation from Illinois State University in December 1976. He has worked the majority of his business career in financial services. Over the past 46 years Don has served in a variety of capacities on boards of several community organizations in the community, including the Alumni Association Board of his alma mater for 20 years, and has volunteered for various charitable entities in the Peoria region. Don was honored with the Tom Connor Community Service Award from the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Don’s current role at Illinois Central College is as Executive Director of the IT Accelerator Project, managing a Federal grant to provide free training to create over 1,000 IT jobs in the region. Don is married to Barb, and they have 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren.
Joe Spanier
He/Him/His
Joe has worked in the manufacturing space of Peoria for the last 15+ years at Caterpillar, and a few local start ups as an automation engineer. He was a founding member of Peoria's community makerspace RiverCityLabs and is a board member for Ignite Peoria since its second year.
Dr. Marwin Spiller
He/Him/His
Dr. Marwin J. Spiller is a professor of sociology at Elmhurst University, Grand Canyon University, City Colleges of Chicago, Triton College, and Heartland Community College. Prior to these positions, he served on the faculty at Bradley University, University of Maine, and Lincoln College. In addition to his experience in the classroom, Dr. Spiller held an academic administrative appointment at Illinois Central College where he served as Dean of the Social Sciences and Public Services division.
Dr. Spiller received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a M.A. in Sociology from Western Illinois University. Dr. Spiller has written extensively on American political attitudes and behaviors, social and economic inequality, and the school to prison pipeline publishing in some of academia’s most selective journals. In addition to these endeavors, Dr. Spiller is also actively involved in his community. He is the President of the Peoria Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, fraternity incorporated, sits on the committee for the City of Peoria’s Tourism Reserve Fund, and serves as a board member for ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and the African American Hall of Fame Museum.
Our Partners
Thank you to our funders! The Peoria Civic Center Authority and City of Peoria have committed a portion of collected restaurant tax to ArtsPartners as an economic investment, recognizing that a rich cultural environment is an economic benefit to the entire Peoria area.
Additionally, ArtsPartners is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Our Publications
Over the years, ArtsPartners has produced the following informational arts resources that highlight public art and local artists, and arts and the economy. Hard copies can be requested in person at the ArtsPartners office. Additionally, digital downloads are available below.