Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants
Forecasted
The Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants from the Illinois Arts Council fund paid youth roles in arts organizations to foster skill development and engagement in the arts sector.
Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027: Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) application deadline (must be submitted with General Operating Support) (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,500 per organization for up to four youth employees (ages 14–22); annual, supplemental to General Operating Support.
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 General Operating Support 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), offers supplemental funding to arts organizations that are recipients of General Operating Support (GOS). The YEA program is designed to help these organizations create paid, temporary employment opportunities for youth ages 14–22 in either administrative or 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, must be requested as an add-on within the GOS application, and cannot be applied for independently.
