Creative Accelerator Fund
The Creative Accelerator Fund from the Illinois Arts Council supports Illinois artists with flexible funding to advance their creative research and professional practice.
Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Due Dates: April 9, 2025 | October 14, 2026
Funding Amounts: $10,000 per artist (taxable, one-time award)
Summary: Supports Illinois artists' professional growth and creative practice through direct, flexible funding.
Key Information: Selection is by regional lottery; only individual artists (not organizations) are eligible.
Description
The Creative Accelerator Fund, administered by the Illinois Arts Council, provides $10,000 awards to individual artists across Illinois to support their ongoing creative practice and professional development. The program aims to strengthen the state's creative workforce and foster community engagement by investing directly in artists. Selection is determined through a randomized, region-based lottery system in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery. The fund is designed to be flexible, allowing artists to use the award in ways that best support their artistic practice, with some restrictions on allowable expenses.
