Illinois
Department of Natural Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2009
Illinois Artisans Program is Calling all Artists
Artists working in all media are encouraged to apply by March 28th
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum’s Illinois Artisans Program (IAP), is once again seeking the best artists the state has to offer. The IAP invites artists in all media, including pottery, folk, traditional, contemporary, ethnic, jewelry, fiber, wearables as well as fine art forms to apply.
“The Illinois Artisans Program seeks to bring national and statewide attention to the work of Illinois artists,” said IAP Director Carolyn Patterson. “We strive to increase artists’ sense of importance as valued members of our communities and enhance their potential for economic advancement.”
Juried members of the Illinois Artisans Program are able to market their work through sales galleries in Chicago and Rend Lake and through museum stores in Springfield and Lewistown. Venues are operated under the statutory authority of the Illinois State Museum Society (ISMS), the Museum’s nonprofit entity. There are currently more than 1600 juried artists in the IAP.
Interested artists must live and work in Illinois and are required to submit an application, 6-10 digital images, artist statement, resume, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $20 application fee made out to ISMS. Deadline for submission is March 28, 2000."
“A panel of highly distinguished art professionals formally reviews the applications and selects new members,” said Patterson. “Artists should submit a cohesive body of work that represents their most recent efforts. Once work is accepted, artists are able to sell work in the Illinois State Museum Stores and Artisans shops state-wide. Artists must resubmit to jury if they decide to switch media.”
For more information and to download an application visit the IAP website at www.museum.state.il.us/artisans or send a self addressed stamped envelope to Illinois Artisans Program, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 2-200, Chicago, IL 60601.
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