The goal of Arts Dollars is to support programming and artists that enrich the quality of life in the Greater Peoria region (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford counties) through the arts. It is our mission to make art accessible for all.
Central Illinois Friends
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Central Illinois Friends, an LGBTQIA+ Community Center and has a completely free community health clinic providing sexual health, mental health, family planning, and so many more essential healthcare services. Central Illinois Friends is launching a mural contest to celebrate and represent Peoria’s LGBTQIA+ community. Local artists are invited to submit designs, with the community voting to select the winning piece, which will then be painted at the center. The mural aims to create an inclusive and welcoming space, symbolizing hope, love, and safety for those who have faced discrimination. This initiative aligns with the center’s mission to provide compassionate care and a safe space for marginalized communities.
Elmwood Center for the Humanities
The Elmwood Center for the Humanities will collaborate with writer-researcher Tiffany Thomas and voiceover artist Aja Blue to produce six historical documentary shorts, set to premiere at The Palace Theater in 2025. These short films, part of the “Prairie Tales” series, focus on the local history of Elmwood and surrounding communities, with each episode premiering every two months from January to August. The shorts will be shown before feature films at the theater, engaging the community with untold stories and historical photos provided by the Elmwood Historical Society. The project builds on the success of the 2024 season, which received widespread community praise.
Harmonize Peoria
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Harmonize Peoria’s 2025 Garage Band Open Stage aims to give young musicians in the Peoria area a chance to develop their skills by performing live. Hosted in a “garage band style” setting at the Harmonize Peoria office, the event runs for ten weeks in the summer, with a different band hosting each week to mentor and support the young performers. Participants, especially those under 21, can perform solo, join the band, or form new groups, providing a unique, real-time learning experience. The program fosters a supportive community, helping novice performers gain confidence and offering more experienced musicians the opportunity to experiment and grow.
Illini Bluffs PTO
The Illini Bluffs Elementary School PTO, in partnership with parent volunteers, provides vital art education for kindergarten through 5th-grade students in the absence of a dedicated art teacher. Each month, volunteers lead hands-on lessons introducing students to various artistic techniques and both historical and contemporary artists. The program promotes creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, emphasizing the value of mistakes in the creative process. This year, the program will expand by inviting local artists to work with students, offering deeper insights into artistic techniques and cultural significance.
Peoria Public Schools: Valeska Hinton
Art Knows No Bounds II is an expansion of a sensory-safe process art program at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center, benefiting staff, students, and families. Building on the success of previous trainings and family art nights, this project will offer additional staff workshops, a spring Family Art Night, and a family-focused workshop on the social-emotional benefits of art. The program, in collaboration with local art therapist Jeanna Fearon, will introduce new artistic experiences, including performance arts like dance and puppetry, to celebrate the diverse cultures within the school community. Staff training will focus on fostering an inclusive, creative classroom environment, while families will contribute to a community art installment displayed at the annual Preschool Showcase.
Tri-County Urban League
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The Urban Puppet League (UPL) project aims to bring engaging puppet performances to the Peoria community, focusing on holiday celebrations and youth-led skits addressing social issues. The program will visit local churches, schools, daycare centers, and senior centers, providing wholesome entertainment and empowering youth through creative expression. Youth participants, guided by trained puppeteers and community leaders, will develop and perform skits, honing leadership, teamwork, and artistic skills. The project will feature up to 20 performances between November 2024 and June 2025, with rehearsals and skit development ongoing.
Peoria Players Theatre
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Peoria Players Theatre and Peoria Area Performing Arts School (PAPAS), brings festive family entertainment to Central Illinois. The show, featuring local performers of all ages and a live orchestra, follows the therapy dog “Jingles” as he embarks on an adventure through Peoria’s historical sites on Christmas Eve. Directed by Dedra Baker, this production blends classic and modern holiday music and includes a rotating cast of therapy dogs each year. Special discounted performances are offered to local schools, ensuring students can attend for just $5 per ticket.
Central Illinois Jazz Society
The Central Illinois Jazz Society’s project aims to enhance the improvisational skills of middle and high school students, as well as area band directors, through free workshops and jam sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to attend three workshops led by contracted instructors who will teach improvisation techniques and facilitate a jam session with local professional musicians after each workshop. This project, developed in collaboration with area band directors, will take place in February, April, and June 2025. The project aligns with the Jazz Society’s mission to foster student musicianship and provide educational and performance opportunities in a supportive environment.
Youth Music Illinois
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Youth Music Illinois will host a Suzuki Strings Festival on January 25, 2025, offering a low-cost, immersive musical experience for students aged 5-18 in the tri-county area. Participants will engage in small group lessons, masterclasses with guest artists, and a combined performance to conclude the day. This festival aims to make music education accessible to students who may not otherwise attend summer camps, enriching their musical and personal development. Promoted through flyers and the organization’s email network, the festival will feature renowned guest artists and local Suzuki teachers. The program aligns with Youth Music Illinois’ mission to nurture musical and life skills in young people.
Peoria Art Guild
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The Peoria Art Guild’s Community Arts Program provides art education and experiences to underserved community members, offering scholarships and classes in accessible settings. Participants gain hands-on studio experience and enjoy free Sculpture Walk tours, fostering creativity and community engagement. The program collaborates with local organizations and includes a wide range of artistic disciplines. Ongoing throughout the year, the program especially focuses on youth during summer and school breaks, aligning with the Guild’s mission to make art accessible and inclusive.
Peoria Regional Learning Center
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The Peoria Regional Learning Center (PRLC) provides alternative education for at-risk high school students, focusing on academic recovery, life skills, and emotional support. To address the impact of early childhood trauma on truancy and disengagement, PRLC will implement Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy. This approach fosters resilience and self-regulation through creative, hands-on activities that reduce stress and improve learning. By integrating trauma-informed practices with sociology and psychology, the program aims to enhance student growth and community connections.
Allison Walsh
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Untitled Religion in School is a documentary that follows a high school World Religions class where students from diverse faith backgrounds engage in deep discussions, challenging their preconceived notions. Directed by Allison Walsh, the film captures personal transformations as the students navigate complex religious and political issues inside and outside the classroom. In late post-production, the project aims to premiere at major film festivals such as Sundance and SXSW in Spring 2025, with a local screening planned for Peoria in the summer.
Janice Powers
Janice Powers seeks funding to print and distribute her latest book, Girls in White Dresses, which tells the stories of nine Illinois women through the clothes they wore, accompanied by detailed historical research on fabrics, fashion, and needlework. The book, illustrated with watercolor portraits based on vintage photographs, reflects Powers’ deep connection to local history, family, and community. Powers has self-published several books before and completed all the writing, editing, and illustrating for this project herself. Additionally, Powers envisions turning the project into an interactive event, blending readings with displays of heirloom garments and inviting others to share their own stories.
Jeremy Berkley
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Artist Jeremy Berkley plans to create a commemorative silk screen print honoring Trish Williams, a beloved member of the Central Illinois arts community who passed away in January 2024. The print will be exhibited at the Peoria Art Guild’s membership show in December 2024, a venue Trish frequently visited and where her work was often displayed. In addition to the exhibition, Berkley will distribute prints to Williams’ family, friends, and organizations she was involved with, aiming to preserve her legacy and offer comfort to those who loved her. Berkley, known for his work on prominent Peoria projects like the Madison Theater mural and “Find Yourself” mural.
Peoria Fashion Week
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The Peoria Fashion Week Sewing Class for the Youth aims to provide underserved youth in Peoria with access to fashion design and sewing education, fostering creativity and practical skills. Participants, including low-income and at-risk youth, will engage in 5-week classes covering sewing, garment construction, fashion illustration, and sustainable fashion. The program will culminate in a youth fashion show during Peoria Fashion Week, showcasing their designs. Led by a team of creative professionals and local designers, the project encourages self-expression and introduces potential career paths in fashion. This initiative aligns with Peoria Fashion Week’s mission to promote local talent and empower the community through education and creativity.
Whitney Johnson-Lessard
Whitney Johnson-Lessard’s exhibition “Held Within the Rocks and Dust” will be displayed at the Peoria Art Guild in January 2025. The exhibition will feature paintings that explore the memory and agency of materials. With support from an Arts Dollars grant, Whitney plans to research non-toxic and environmentally-friendly materials for her artwork and fund a free public papermaking workshop during the exhibit. The workshop will teach participants to make paper using recycled material, reinforcing her commitment to low-impact art practices.