Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants
The Illinois Arts Council’s YEA grant funds paid, temporary arts jobs for Illinois youth ages 14–22 in administrative or artistic roles at organizations already receiving General Operating Support.
Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027: General Operating Support (GOS) full application deadline (projected) | March 2027: Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) application deadline (must be submitted with GOS) (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,500 per organization for up to four youth employees (ages 14–22); annual, supplemental to GOS.
Summary: Supplemental funding for Illinois arts organizations (GOS recipients) to support paid youth employment opportunities (ages 14–22) in administrative or artistic roles.
Key Information: YEA is only available to organizations approved for GOS in both FY26 and FY27; not a standalone grant.
Description
The Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants program, administered by the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), provides supplemental funding to arts organizations that already receive General Operating Support (GOS). The YEA grant is designed to help these organizations create paid, temporary employment opportunities for youth ages 14–22, supporting both administrative and artistic roles. The goal is to foster meaningful work experiences, skill development, and deeper engagement with the arts sector for young people across Illinois. YEA funding is competitive and must be requested as an add-on within the GOS application; it cannot be applied for independently.
