Arts Grants Help 11 Local Projects Grow

The Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund gave out $13, 931. 47 this spring to 11 local arts and culture groups. The money went into projects ranging from summer theater camps to art therapy for people who survived brain injuries. The fund uses a competitive spring round. A panel of judges scores each application with the same rubric. The winners come from all over the area, including well‑known theaters, community libraries, and special wellness programs. The biggest award went to the Nell’s Woodland Foundation. They received $2, 800 for art supplies that will help run a mentorship program. The Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse got $1, 831. 97 to support a six‑month art therapy course. The Arukah Institute of Healing was awarded $407 to start an Art for Wellness project.Performance groups also received support. The Community Players of Streator got $1, 750 to stage “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. ” Princeton Theater Group’s Festival 56 and Stage 212, Inc. each received $1, 500 for summer theater camps or children’s productions. The Ottawa Concert Association was given $500 to keep its concerts running. Youth and education programs were not left out. Camp Tuckabatchee received $2, 000 for arts and crafts supplies during its summer camp. The Ladd Public Library District got $142. 50 for a Summer Reading Challenge that encourages kids to read. NCI ArtWorks received $400 for a series of art shows, and the Ottawa Center for the Arts got $1, 500 to fund a vocal performance about Edith Piaf. The Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund is part of the larger Starved Rock Country Community Foundation and also gets help from the Illinois Arts Council.