Arts and Culture Vaccination Campaign #VaxToGetBack

While many restrictions have been lifted, the arts and culture sector in Illinois recognizes that continuing to get their audiences and communities vaccinated is important for safely getting back to in-person arts activities. Artists in 24 regions across Illinois have created over 72 pro-vaccination projects this summer as vaccines are now widely available. This Arts and Culture Vaccination Campaign was funded and spearheaded by Arts Alliance Illinois.
 
Quad City Arts played the role of “State Captain” for our region to help coordinate some projects by Illinois based Quad Cities artists. We were excited to once again partner with Arts Alliance Illinois to not only put artists to work, but to help encourage our community to get vaccinated. Vaccination is important to the arts, so that the industry can return to bringing communities together.
 
These projects were made possible by a collaboration between Arts Alliance Illinois and Quad City Arts.
 
Riley Ellis is a self-taught artist, most of her interest is in animation but they also enjoy other mediums like watercolor and digital art. Riley has been part of three Quad City Arts’ Metro Arts murals. They want people to connect with their art and find some resolve in it, whether it comforts them or just makes them feel some sort of emotion. When asked about her biggest achievement in art Riley stated, “I've grown since I ever started posting art, having over 11k on Twitter and Instagram, and over 88k subscribers on YouTube. Before I started posting my art online however I sold calendars and donated all the proceeds, which was over $10,000, to the local animal welfare center.”
 
“Burst your Bubble”

The Black Thoughts Podcast hosts interviews and panel discussion various topics, which will provoke thought with hopes of leading to conversations that create transformation. Host Aubrey Barnes lead a panel discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 including mental health, work/home balance, economic impact, and vaccine hesitancy.
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For more information on how to schedule your vaccination:
Rock Island County: https://richd.org/
Scott County: https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/health
 
Participating regions include: Aurora, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, DuPage County, East St. Louis, Elgin, Evanston, Galena, Galesburg, Joliet, Lake County, Mattoon, McHenry County, Oak Park, Peoria, Quad Cities, Quincy, Rockford, South East Suburban Chicago (Dolton, Calumet City, Lansing), South Suburban Chicago and Springfield.
 
About Arts Alliance Illinois
Arts Alliance Illinois fights for arts resources and policies that benefit our members and all Illinois residents. With 25,000 active subscribers and hundreds of members, we connect the people and ideas that are shaping the future of the creative sector. As the only multidisciplinary organization concentrated on the strength of arts and culture across the state, the Alliance takes on challenges that no single organization or artist can fight alone. Our work in civic engagement, arts education, and cultural equity positively impacts every community across the state. Visit artsalliance.org to learn more.