Funding

Disciplines: All

The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce the release of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) General Operating Support (GOS) Grant, which includes optional application questions for IAC’s Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grant. FY25 GOS grantees will complete a simplified continuing application as part of the GOS multi-year cycle. Applicants that did not receive FY25 GOS support are welcomed and encouraged to complete a full application for FY26 GOS.

The FY26 GOS with optional YEA application deadline is Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 11:59 pm. The application is available in IAC’s online Salesforce grant portal: arts-illinois.my.site.com.

GOS Grants are offered to eligible not-for-profit organizations that provide arts programming to their defined communities in a manner that supports the mission of the organization. Successful applicants demonstrate ongoing arts programs and a strong commitment to making artistic programs accessible and relevant to a diverse range of participants.

Please review the GOS with YEA webpage for eligibility requirements and guidelines, which will provide full instructions. Pre-recorded webinars, with transcripts, are available on IAC’s Workshops and Webinars webpage that walk through the application process.

IAC will also host five “Drop-In'' sessions to answer any questions you may have. Drop-in sessions are one-hour sessions that have no agenda. Participants may ask questions of the participating Program Staff and get answers in real time. Drop-ins do not require pre-registration. Simply click the link at the time of the meeting to join the call via WebEx. Please visit IAC’s GOS with YEA webpage or Workshops and Webinars for dates and links.