Our Mission

Because we believe art is intrinsic to the quality of life in our communities, the Oak Park Area Arts Council celebrates, supports and promotes artists and arts organizations in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. By raising funds for the arts, and advocating for policies that promote the arts, we enhance the social, economic, and cultural foundations of our communities.

top of page

History

The Oak Park Area Arts Council was founded by local artists in 1974 as the Civic Arts Council of Oak park. Nonprofit incorporation followed in 1976. Regranting, utilizing Illinois Arts Council funds, started in 1979. The organization also annexed the Village of River Forest.

The Council's work was integral to the successful Oak Park application for the Governor's Award for the Arts in 1986. Service expanded that year to the Village of Forest Park, home of the Circle Theatre.

Part-time staff was hired in 1987. The next year the organization moved into offices located in Oak Park Village Hall, and became the agent for regranting funds from the Village of Oak Park.

Staff became full-time in 1988. The organization initiated a newsletter, technical assistance workshops and other programs.

In 1992 the organization developed a new mission statement and goals, and changed its name to the Oak Park Arts Arts Council to more accurately reflect its service area. The regranting program received a name (ArtsFunds) and new guidelines. A membership program and a benefit event were instituted to increase private sector revenues.

Other programs and services followed, including the Art Vortex gallery/studio tour, Arts Breakfasts, bimonthly State of the Arts newsletter/calendar, annual artifacts directory and At Home with Wright weekend celebrating Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced art and craft. Gallery improvements were made.

Staff was appointed in 1994 to the Oak Park Visitors Bureau Board of Directors. Local government support (Village of Oak Park) increased to accommodate arts development consultation in the downtown tax increment financing area. The staff grew to three. The first African-American board president was names in 1996, and an inaugural economic impact study was completed. Service to Forest Park expanded through new partnerships with the Main Street Redevelopment Association and Forest Park National Bank. The Village of Oak Park's financing rose again in 1997, this time for the ArtsFunds program. The Board of Directors expanded from fifteen to a maximum of twenty members.

The first African-American Executive Director, former Board President, was appointed in August 1999. Funding increased from the Village of Forest Park in 1999. The Village of Oak Park was selected as Continental Harmony host site, one of six National Endowment for the Arts Millennium projects. The Oak Park Area Arts Council becomes affiliated with LAN, Local Arts Network/Illinois Arts Alliance.

A record high of $55,000 was awarded to 33 organizations through ArtsFunds in 2000.

December 2000, the Oak Park Area Arts Council was selected by the Americans for the Arts to participate as a local partner in Arts & Economic Prosperity. This study will assess the economic impact of nonprofit arts organizations in the Oak Park area and over 75 communities throughout the United States.

January 27, 2001, Oak Park Area Arts Council presented world premiere of A Symphony of Place, Celebrating Fair Housing and Diversity in Oak Park, Illinois, a Continental Harmony project, American Composers Forum, National Endowment for the Arts Millennium Project and White House Millennium Council. Composer, James Kimo Williams, was selected to write an orchestral score for the occasion. The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, Heritage Chorale, Oak Park Community Gospel Choir, Oak Park & River Forest Children’s Chorus, Oak Park & River Forest High School Jazz Ensemble, two soloists and two narrators (Mac Robinet & Harriet Gillem Robinet) were the performers of the symphony. Almost 1,700 seats were filled.

A record high of $60,000 was awarded to 30 organizations in 2001 through ArtsFunds granting program. Funding renewed with the Village of River Forest. September 2001, OPAAC worked with the Village of Oak Park to write and adopt the Public Arts Ordinance. Two pieces of public art were brought to Oak Park on loan from Navy Pier, Pier Walk Exhibition.

Spring 2002, Oak Park Area Arts Council awarded scholarships totaling $12,000 to graduating arts seniors of Oak Park & River Forest High School and Proviso East High School.

Spring 2003, $62,000 was awarded to 34 organizations through ArtsFunds granting program. May 2003, Jazzin’ Oak Park, Oak Park Area Arts Council’s first Scholarship Benefit Performance, held at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School. Featured performers were Peter Lerner & the New Peace Ensemble, Bradley Williams and His Original 21st Century Review, and special guest star Kimo Williams and his 20 piece big band Kimotion.

Summer of 2005, the OPAAC launched Off the Wall, the summer teen arts employment program. Patterned after the City of Chicago’s Gallery 37, the program hires young teen artists to work with professional artists to create a public art piece while learning employable skills. Communication, critical decision making and team work are all incorporated and become a part of the work day.

The OPAAC now offers a host of programs and services including a fine arts scholarship program, e-ART, a weekly electronic listing of the latest events and happenings in the tri village area, soon to premiere a new electronic newsletter, an annual benefit jazz concert held to raise funds for the scholarship program, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. workshop for K-5th graders (interactive arts workshops and performance), and ArtsFunds, one of the largest local arts council’s regranting programs in the state.

top of page

Oak Park Area Arts Council
123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
Phone (708) 358-5690 • Fascimille (708) 383-6692 • E-mail: info@oakparkareaartscouncil.org.