​Arts Dollars has been granting funds to artists and nonprofits in the Quad Cities region since 1979 thanks to our generous funding partners, who believe in the power of the arts to enrich our communities. Thanks to our 2020 Arts Dollars funding partners, The Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency and The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation. The vision that Quad City Arts has in facilitating these grants is that individual artists and nonprofits of all sizes would be able to accomplish projects in the Quad Cities and surrounding communities, that those communities would see a long-lasting benefit from the completed projects, and that artists would be paid for their work in the process. Each year, artists and nonprofits apply for grants in one of three categories: Projects, Education, and Capacity-Building. Keep an eye out for our 2021 grant round opening in December!

The funds awarded in the Project and Education categories are an investment in the arts across the six-county region served by Quad City Arts, activating nonprofits and artists who are engaging their community through projects in visual arts, theatre, music, film and more. Our records show that since 1990 alone, Arts Dollars has funded $1.3 million in projects in our region. What an amazing legacy!

Capacity-Building grants are highly competitive and specially designed for arts-centered nonprofit organizations that are seeking support to expand their reach and impact through the arts in their community. This category was added in 2016 as Quad City Arts saw a need for small organizations to have access to funds to increase their capacity. Arts Dollars has funded important organizational infrastructure support like strategic planning, database solutions, temporary staff, and more.

Our 2020 grant awards were recommended by a panel of community members who sifted through the nearly $160,000 in requests from across the region and approved by the Quad City Arts Board of Directors. Please join us in celebrating these individuals and organizations! We are excited about the impact each one will make on our community as they advance their mission and the mission of Quad City Arts: to enrich the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts.

Capacity-Building

• Quad Cities Woodturners Association – Funds will cover fees to attend shows and fairs to increase membership

Education

• Hot Glass, Inc – HS field trips to hot glass to learn glassblowing
• McKinley Elementary School – Students will be researching life in Davenport in 1940 and creating a mural depicting the future of Davenport
• Muscatine Art Center – Summer Visiting Artist Workshops
• QC United (Pete the Purple Bull) – LIFT Program in schools, engaging students through hip-hop music, dance, and drama
• River Action – Arts Along the River, including a public play, painting watercolor, videos, writing, and participating in a drum circle led by the Native American Coalition of the Quad Cities
• Steam on Wheels – Bringing STEAM curriculum into schools

Project

• Azubuike African American Council for the Arts – Acting for film workshop
• Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center – Production of Cinderella, the musical
• Countryside Community Theatre – Paying professional pit musicians
• Galva Arts Council – Summer Concert Series
• Good News Singers Chorale – sheet music
• Hand in Hand – Inspiration Studio works with participants with disabilities
• Handicapped Development Center – 9 integrated arts classes
• Genesius Theatre Foundation – Summer performance series
• German American Heritage Center – Power Frauen history and art exhibit
• Martin Luther King Jr Center – Multicultural Dance Day
• Moline Community Development Corporation – 5 neighborhood beautification projects
• Moline Public Library – Universal Language project, working with young adult immigrants in piano music instruction and collaborative mural
• Opera Quad Cities – Production of Madame Butterfly
• WVIK – Rock Island Lines commemorative book
• Youth Hope QC – Creative Arts Enrichment Programs

Individual Artist

• 1V on the Track – Music Video production, working with at-risk youths
• Aubs. – Collaborative poetry project

Providing grant funding for local projects like this allows us to move our mission forward. Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. The Art Dollars 2021 application opens December 15 and is open through January 31, 2021. For more information and guidelines, please reference our Art Dollars program page.


This program partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and a grant from the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation.

Every year, teachers and program directors bring a world-class performing arts resource into their buildings by simply opening their doors.

The artists and ensembles who walk through the door are more traditional than technological; they aren’t trained in robotics, webcasting, or video editing. They aren’t equipped with motion cameras or 3-D printing. But they are priceless in the expertise that they bring into every gym, auditorium, and classroom.

The artists and ensembles who are selected for a residency in the Visiting Artist Series are highly accomplished and frequently recognized or awarded at a national and international level. They are selected for both their artistic talents and their ability to engage public audiences, particularly students.

Each season of the Visiting Artist Series presents high-quality examples of music, dance, and theater. The purpose of each school or community site visit isn’t solely performance; it’s about modeling the hard work, dedication, and proficiency mindset that allowed them to become top-tier professional artists. These artists have an ear for music, feet made for dancing, and a voice made to carry through an auditorium. Despite the differences in their genres and their art forms, they all have a brain for the arts.

The outreaches given by each visiting artist during a week-long residency provide an experience that builds on classroom discussion, enhances school curriculum, adds to students’ knowledge of the performing arts from around the world, and develops future audience members.

This spring, the series was forced to cancel two residencies — one planned for steel drum player John Patti in March and another in May for multi-genre quintet Jarabe Mexicano. These two artists were part of the 46th season that featured a dozen other artists and ensembles for outreach performances in the Quad City region.

John Patti’s performance moves jazz and blues to a new level by adding the unique island flare of the steel drum. Patti is well versed in various genres of music, from sophisticated jazz to island jazz and the reggae sounds of the steel pan, R&B, Motown, and blues gives his performance some groove and soul.
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There are many questions and concerns about graduation and other requirements for the Class of 2020 during this extended school closure. Seniors have spent their high school years preparing for their senior year. Many of them have been anticipating this year since elementary school. The Class of 2020 has brought a new experience in learning and preparation for their generation. Seniors are looking at the world around them, analyzing and coming up with creative solutions to problems like never before. It is safe to say, this year's senior class will be known for the most adaptable generation we know. With that in mind, we dedicate our first virtual gallery show to them. Hats off to an incredible generation of creatives!

UPDATED 4/8/2020

As the global response to COVID-19 intensifies and our world is turned upside down, many workers in the creative sector are finding it harder and harder to get by. Many are scrambling to balance their health and safety with paying the bills. Creatives are often hit hardest during uncertain times, and the recent pandemic is no exception. Thankfully, the financial difficulties artists are facing have been recognized. A rapidly growing group of organizations is mobilizing resources for artists affected by COVID-19.

Quad City Arts is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. We have been putting together a list of resources for regional artists.

• Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Resource Center
• COVID-19 & Freelance Artists
• The Writer's Emergency Fund
• Creative Capital: List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• Nonprofit Quarterly:  How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19
• Quad Cities Chamber COVID-19 Resources and Updates
• Artist Relief:  Today, a consortium of funders announced the creation of the Artist Relief Fund, a $10 million national emergency relief fund for artists and creative workers that will provide $5,000 no-strings-attached grants. It is intended for anyone who earns income from their creative or artistic practice and who has also been affected by COVID-19.

Unemployment: The CARES Act has expanded unemployment eligibility. 

• Iowa
• Illinois

Illinois Artist Relief Grant:
Illinois Artist Relief: Grants for Illinois Artists for $1,500. The application portal will close on Wednesday, April 8 at 5:00pm CST.

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If you would like to add more resources to our listing, please email our staff.

This post contains information and links to resources for artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have questions, please contact a professional, whether that be an attorney, banker, or someone with these organizations. We at Quad City Arts are not legal experts therefore none of this should be taken as legal advice. 

As the Executive Director of Quad City Arts, this probably does not come as a surprise, but in times of uncertainty, I look towards the art sector. It always reminds me of why I love the creative community.

We adapt.

Within 24 hours of large gatherings being cancelled putting the performing arts industry on hold, we had Broadways stars, touring musicians, and more taking to social media to provide an outlet so the show could go on or so the music didn’t die. As more time passed, we saw comprehensive lists of where we could see free concerts, free operas, art demonstrations, etc. As I said, we adapt. 

This isn’t to say that industries outside of the arts are not adapting. It does however help highlight why studies done by Americans for the Arts shows that businesses list creativity as a top three trait for new hires. In these times we are seeing those creative types put forth some of their best work. Often for little more than to entertain people and help them pass some time or to teach them something new. It is truly inspiring. 

So how is Quad City Arts adapting? We are using this time to tell our story like we never have before, and we are adapting our programs to fit the “new norm” whenever possible. At a time when we are asked to shelter-in-place to help flatten the curve, we are launching more digital content, like this new blog. We are also adapting our annual high school art show. In past years, we packed close to 300 people into our gallery to recognize young artists in the Quad Cities Area. This year, we are recording it for your viewing pleasure and launching the 43rd Annual High School Art Invitational entirely online.

We are also using this time to help support and enhance our arts community. By sharing the great things local artists are doing, and by encouraging everyone to use this time to create, we are helping to keep the arts alive, while maintaining appropriate social distance. To further encourage the creation of new art, we will be hosting a group show to highlight new works created during this time sometime in the future. We plan to present the show after this is all over. Stay tuned.

Adapting isn’t always easy, but we know it is necessary. I’m excited to see what other adaptations are ahead both for Quad City Arts and the arts sector as we whole.

Thank you for supporting us, supporting our team, and supporting the arts through these challenging times.

Kevin L. Maynard
Executive Director Quad City Arts