ArtsPartners Secures $55,000 in Funding to Expand First Fridays Across Greater Peoria
PEORIA, IL — ArtsPartners of Central Illinois has been awarded a total of $55,000 in new funding to support First Fridays Amplified. Harmonize Peoria is a key partner in the initiative, which is designed to strengthen and expand the region’s monthly arts and culture event.
The funding includes a $30,000 Community Sprint Grant from the Greater Peoria Leadership Council and a $25,000 award from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois through the Arts Mean Business Fund. Together, these investments will support an expansion of First Fridays, including coordinated regional marketing, paid musician placements, and new efforts to track economic and community impact.
The Greater Peoria Leadership Council grant will fund a focused activation from June through September 2026, supporting live music across multiple venues in the downtown, Warehouse District, Riverfront, and West Main areas. The initiative is designed to increase foot traffic, encourage movement between businesses, and create a more connected and vibrant experience.
The Arts Mean Business Fund grant supports a broader ten-month strategy running through February 2027, positioning First Fridays as a driver of arts tourism and creative economic development through consistent programming and promotion.
ArtsPartners recently led a regional refresh of First Fridays in collaboration with the City of Peoria, Discover Peoria, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Peoria Riverfront Association. The response from the community has been immediate, with increased participation and enthusiasm from artists, businesses, and audiences.
“When we began shaping this next phase, it was based on what we were already seeing — people were ready for this, especially after the dip in participation post-COVID,” Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright, Executive Director of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois said. “These grants allow us to take that energy and momentum to folks who may not have experienced the magic of a First Friday. This is truly a community-driven program, and we see this as a spark for continued growth across the region.”
Through a partnership with Harmonize Peoria, the initiative will also expand opportunities for local musicians, with a focus on supporting emerging and regional talent through paid performance opportunities.
“Consistent, paid opportunities are one of the most meaningful things we can offer local musicians,” said Kindall Reuschel, Executive Director of Harmonize Peoria. “Working to ensure musicians of all ages are included helps keep our multi-layered music scene stable and gives emerging artists a real chance to grow, connect, and become part of the cultural fabric of our region.”
First Fridays take place on the first Friday of each month across multiple districts in Peoria, featuring galleries, studios, restaurants, and creative businesses. The First Fridays Amplified initiative aims to strengthen connections between these spaces while increasing visibility, participation, and economic impact.
ArtsPartners will also implement new tools to track attendance, visitor experience, and business outcomes, helping to demonstrate the role of the arts in supporting local economic growth. “This is going to be an exciting summer for First Fridays,” Gilliland Wright added. “And more importantly, it’s the beginning of something we believe can continue to grow and evolve with the community.”
For more information about First Fridays and participating locations, visit artspartners.net/firstfriday.
# # #
ArtsPartners of Central Illinois promotes the arts as a vital component of central Illinois’ cultural and economic development. Founded in 1999, ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build awareness and strengthen the arts for the economic and cultural enrichment of central Illinois.
