​Quad City Arts hosted Randy Cohen, VP of Research at Americans for the Arts, on May 16. Cohen was in town to share the findings of the Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study released in October (AEP6 Results Release Blog). Quad City Arts worked with Cohen and his team in 2022 to collect data in our region from nonprofit arts and culture organizations to ensure the Quad Cities were represented in the national study and to learn more about the impact locally.

Some of the highlights Cohen covered included:

• The Quad Cities Region’s nonprofit arts industry alone generates $29.0 million in economic activity annually—spending by organizations and their audiences—which supports 712 jobs and generates $6.2 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. (2022)
• Attendees at the Quad Cities Region’s nonprofit arts and culture events spend an average of $27.18 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging
• 20% of attendees live outside of Scott County (IA) and Rock Island County (IL); they average $42.71 in event-related spending​

​

The Lloyd Schoeneman Community Impact Awards recognize excellence in the Quad Cities arts community. The award features an enclosed rubber band ball; a symbol of Schoeneman’s playful and creative spirit, and his penchant for making rubber band balls and shooting them over the cubicle walls. Creating something colorful, fun, and unique from everyday objects was second nature to him, and the award acknowledges the creative spirit of all its winners.

This year’s Lloyd Award winners will be recognized at Quad City Arts’ Celebration of the Arts at The Bend Event Center. The evening will also feature remarks from Quad City Arts’ Executive Director Kevin Maynard, performances by Visiting Artist Daniel Pak and Grammy-nominated pianist Josh Rawlings, and a keynote address by Americans for the Arts’ Vice President of Research, Randy Cohen. Since 1991, Randy has propelled national arts advocacy, initiating studies like Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 and collaborating on the National Arts Policy Roundtable with Robert Redford. Experience his profound insights and support our vibrant community! At Celebration of the ARTS dive into a night of inspiring talks, networking, and a special look at the AEP6 study in the Quad Cities, which shows the arts generated over $29 million in economic activity in a single year.

🌟 Keynote speaker Randy Cohen, VP of Research from Americans for the Arts
🎶 Entertainment from award-winning artists Daniel Pak and Grammy-Nominated Pianist Josh Rawlings
🍸 Tickets include complimentary hors d’oevres and cocktails
**All proceeds support the Quad City Arts’ Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program!**

Tickets can be purchased at the Quad City Arts website: https://bit.ly/3Uh184w
​

​
​Residency host sites can sign up for visits ranging from all-school performances to hands-on workshops or performance opportunities with artists in residence hosted by Quad City Arts.
 
The full roster of artists in residence is as follows:

• Kulaiwi, Indigenous Hawaiian performance, Sept. 30 to Oct. 5
• Luciane Dom, Afro-Brazilian music, in residence Oct. 7-10
• WÖR, Belgian 18th century folk crossover band, in residence Oct. 28 to Nov. 1
• Robin Spielberg, Concert pianist and speaker on music and health, in residence Nov. 4-8
• Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, Soulful Southern Big Band, in residence Nov. 20-22
• Sunny Jain and the Wild Wild East, Indian/jazz fusion, in residence Dec. 2-6
• Chicago Dance Crash, street dance fusion company, in residence Jan. 13-17
• “Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch”, children’s puppet theatre, in residence Jan. 27-31
• Goitse, traditional Irish music, in residence Feb. 18-21
• San Jose Taiko, traditional taiko drumming, in residence March 10-14
• Twin Flames, Canadian Indigenous Folk, in residence March 24-28
• Jarabe Mexicano, Mexican folk-rock, in residence May 5-9
  
  

Community sites will be able to schedule engagements for their patrons and clients in the coming weeks through the same website. More details will be posted on www.quadcityarts.com/vas.
 
As a keystone program of Quad City Arts, the Visiting Artist Series, which started in 1974 to present multi-disciplinary performing arts residencies in schools and community sites, has brought in 490 residencies, more than 847 artists, over 10,570 school visits, more than 457 concerts, and nearly 2.76 million reached.
 
The series serves students and community members in Clinton, Scott, and Muscatine Counties in Iowa, and Henry, Rock Island, and Mercer Counties in Illinois.
 
Since 1974, the Visiting Artist Series has engaged Quad City residents of all ages in quality arts experiences with professional performing artists. Artists of various disciplines present demonstrations, workshops, and master classes at pre-K sites, elementary, intermediate, and high schools as well as college campuses and community organizations.

Quad City Arts Unveils 2024 Arts Dollars Grant Awardees, Empowering Artists and Organizations with $115,000 in Funding

In a significant boost to the Quad Cities' vibrant art scene, Quad City Arts is thrilled to announce the distribution of Arts Dollars grants for the year 2024. A total of $115,000 has been awarded, benefiting 24 esteemed organizations and 9 visionary individual artists. This initiative underscores Quad City Arts' commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering cultural enrichment within the community since its inception in 1990.

Funding Sources
This year's grants have been made possible through the generous support of the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, the Quad Cities Community Foundation - Isabel Bloom Art Education Endowment, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. Their commitment to the arts plays a critical role in sustaining and expanding the creative landscape of the Quad Cities.

Grant Recipients
The 2024 Arts Dollars grants encompass a wide array of projects, each uniquely contributing to the cultural tapestry of our community. This complete list of recipients showcases the breadth of creativity and commitment to community enrichment among Quad Cities' artists and organizations.

Education Grants: 

• Azubuike African American Council for the Arts—Capturing Reality: 360-The Basics of Immersive Filmmaking 
• Crossroads Cultural Connections—Visiting Artist School Program 
• Friends of the River Valley District Library--Summer Reading Arts Series 
• Junior Theatre Inc--Paving the Way to Affordable Excellence: Production Rights for Junior Theatre 
• Second Chance Forge--Make It Matter Project: Blacksmithing w/Disabled Veterans and First Responders 
• Seton Catholic School--Seton School Art Club

Project Grants: 

• Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope--Finding Agency Through Art 
• Atlanta Fulscher-- Art on the Bend 
• Atticus Norman-- Art with Atticus 
• Black Box Theatre--All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 
• Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities--Exterior Mural at The Children’s Therapy Center 
• Colleen McCarty-Tomlinson-- Love from Howie 
• Dania Green-- Expressions of Empowerment Portrait Series 
• East Moline Main Street--Paint the Town Window Painting 
• Eastside Sounds--Quad City Griots Project 
• Gaye Shannon Burnett-- The Quilting Story: An Exploration of Race and Identity Through My Art 
• Latoya D. Lewis-- Journaling with a Purpose: Creative Self-Care Beyond the Pages 
• LULAC Council #5285--Mexican Independence Day Parade & Fiesta 
• Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center--Interior murals for MLK Center youth spaces 
• Meghan Hollister—InspireMotion: Interactive Art for All 
• MHS Kaleidoscript— Annual Student Creative Arts magazine 
• Midwest Writing Center-- Radical Hospitality; anthology and public events 
• Muscatine Art Center-- Performing Arts Workshops for Kids 
• Mya Diabira-- Sprouting Harvest; mural at Healthy Harvest 
• Narratives-- Narratives QC Creative Arts Showcase and Classes 
• Ninah Payney-- Art Installation/Gallery Project 
• NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative-- 2024 girlpARTs Sculpture Project 
• Paint It Back-- Paint It Back Street Art Festival in Clinton, IA 
• Playcrafters Barn Theatre-- Charlotte's Web Summer Production & Youth Outreach Support 
• Together Making a Better Community-- Summer Tales Unleashed Reader Theater 
• Truth First Film Alliance-- "The Last to Fall From Hero Street“ 
• Vince Jetter Community Center-- Black Cultural Arts Celebration 
• World Relief Quad Cities-- Arts in English Summer Camp for Refugee Youth 

Quad City Arts is committed to advocating for the arts as a vital component of a vibrant community. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners, supporters, and the talented grant recipients of 2024. Together, we continue to make the Quad Cities a place where art and culture flourish!
​

Sample organizational projects, clockwise from top left MLK Jr. Center, Mural by Mya Diabira, East Moline Main Street Window Holiday Art, Girl pARTs.

About Quad City Arts 
Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. 

Quad City Arts is supported by operating support grants from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency, the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Quad City Cultural Trust. 

1st Place: Jae Corales—‘The Indomitable Spirit: Urduja of Pangasinan’
2nd Place: Laila Colleen Haley—‘Princess & the Pirate (& the Giant Sea Monster)’
3rd Place: Laura Warner—‘Two States of Sunshine’
 
During these vibrant events, artists commenced their creations at 10 am on Saturday and worked until 5 pm on Sunday, transforming 3’ x 4’ canvases into captivating murals. Participants were provided with acrylic paint and brushes. Winners were determined through online People’s Choice voting via the Quad City Arts Facebook page, providing accessibility and the power of community involvement. The outpouring of support and engagement was astronomical!
 
Reflecting on the experience, Mya Diabira, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to public art: "An art pieces' story that often remains hidden to the viewer is the process of building it. This community interactive event unveiled creation in the making. Everyone walks around with their own inner world. I'm thankful North Park mall allowed the diverse inner imagination that lives among others to be shared."
 
Jae Corales, the winner of the SouthPark competition and a student at Western Illinois University, embraced the communal aspect of the event: "This was my first time painting a mural in a public place. It was challenging and I was so nervous the whole time. People sometimes stop by to ask questions about my piece and someone asked for advice to give their granddaughter who was 8, wondering how they can improve. I believe the only way to improve is to love what you’re doing. One can practice everyday for 10,000 hours but if they don’t enjoy their craft, they won’t reach their potential." Corales further highlighted the significance of infusing his Filipino heritage into his art, exemplifying Quad City Arts' commitment to celebrating diverse cultural narratives through artistic expression.
 
The participating artists at NorthPark Mall included Catlynn Byrd, Dana Cabrera, Jesse Coughlin, Mya Diabira, Kyleigh Green, Reagan Harrington, Jessica Jenkins-McPeek, Snehal Nerpagar, Edward Nunn, Carlin Peterson, Sophia Putnam, Amanda Stout, and Megan Wassom. At SouthPark Mall, the competitors included Jae Florence Corales, Nelly Cortez, Laila Colleen Haley, Payton Hayward, Lauren Lamourt, Emma Reidhead, Caleb Roe, Dannielle Torres, Laura Warner, Joshua Whitaker, and Isaiah ‘Zay’ Williams.

Quad City Arts envisions a future where the creation and celebration of art are woven into the fabric of our community. Events like the 'Mini Murals at the Mall' competition not only showcase the incredible talent of local artists but also foster a sense of belonging and cultural enrichment for residents and visitors alike. By providing platforms for artistic expression and engagement, we hope to inspire the emergence of more events that celebrate creativity and promote the vital role of the arts in enhancing our collective well-being. Thanks to Macerich, NorthPark and SouthPark Malls, who helped support our vibrant and inclusive arts community which enriches the lives of all who call the Quad Cities home.
​
View the social media posts below to see all the entries for SouthPark Mall and NorthPark Mall!

For more information about Quad City Arts and upcoming events, visit www.quadcityarts.com.

Quad City Arts, in conjunction with Macerich NorthPark & Macerich SouthPark Malls, will be hosting two “Mini Murals at the Mall” competitions, January 27 and 28 at Macerich NorthPark Mall in Davenport, and February 17 and 18 at Macerich SouthPark Mall in Moline. A total of 19 emerging artists, 13 at NorthPark and 6 at SouthPark, have been selected to compete for $2000 in prizes. The artists will create 3’ x 4’ pieces on the walls in the mall, and winners will be selected via online voting.

At both events, artists will begin painting at 10am on Saturday, and have until 5pm on Sunday to complete their works. Artists are provided with acrylic paint and brushes by Quad City Arts, and may also supplement with their own materials. Contest winners will be determined by online People’s Choice voting conducted via the Quad City Arts Facebook page. 1st Place winners at each mall will receive $500, with 2nd and 3rd place winners taking home $300 and $200, respectively.

Artists competing at NorthPark Mall will be Catlynn Byrd, Dana Cabrera, Jesse Coughlin, Mya Diabira, Kyleigh Green, Reagan Harrington, Jessica Jenkins-McPeek, Snehal Nerpagar, Edward Nunn, Carlin Peterson, Sophia Putnam, Amanda Stout, and Megan Wassom.

At SouthPark, the competitors will be: Jae Florence Corales, Laila Haley, Lauren Lamourt, Emma Reidhead, Dannielle Torres, and Laura Warner.

Quad City Arts Events Coordinator Ben Gougeon is excited to be bringing this new event to life. “It’s an opportunity for artists to bring their work to a new audience, and to bring public art into a new space. Especially for some of our local emerging artists, this provides them the opportunity to get their work seen by people who may not have otherwise been exposed.” He also noted that, organizationally, Quad City Arts is working on increasing attendance at arts events, which brings more visibility to the talent of local artists, and that this event checks all those boxes. He hopes folx will come out, support the artists, and get the chance to watch the process that goes into creating these beautiful works.

Join us in celebrating emerging community artists through this painting competition. Discover the incredible talent within our local art scene and witness the transformation live in person!
​

The Moline Public Art Commission (MPAC) recently commissioned the largest mural project in the City of Moline, and quite possibly the Quad Cities. This mural project has garnered a lot of coverage from local media, and has started a great conversation around public art, which we LOVE! Some commenters have been vocal about their disappointment that this project did not go to a local artist, and some believe this is a sign that the Quad Cities does not support local artists.

While we understand the frustration, we also believe this cannot be further from the truth.

Quad City Arts' role in most projects is not to choose the artwork, it is to facilitate and help the organization to reach its goals. This means we are uniquely situated to see the bigger picture, and in this instance support the choice made by MPAC. The Moline Public Art Commission operates from a Public Art and Placemaking Plan developed by the organization Renew Moline which was adopted by City Council. The negative comments have allowed Quad City Arts to see the validity of some comments and look at future projects and goals for our organization. Most importantly though, it is creating a bigger conversation around public art in the Quad Cities, and the more attention we can bring the more we can do! (Learn more about more than 50 public mural projects that we have facilitated by local artists or completed through our Metro Arts Murals projects: quadcityarts.com/public-murals)

This blog post will not spend time comparing non-local mural artists to non-local performing artists or the sentiment to support locals while doing most of the shopping at “big box stores” because much like those scenarios, there is room for both.

First, we need to start thinking about our public art as a collection. Much like an art museum does or you do with your personal collection. Art museums are great to visit because they have exhibits from around the world, and some have pieces from local artists as well. You may not think of the art you own as a collection, but it is. Think of what is on the walls in your home, some are from local artists and photographers, some come from your travels, and some may even come from Target. In both cases, these were curated by someone to be diverse in style, messaging, and themes.

Some additional reasons why it's important to diversify a public art collection: 

• Artistic Diversity: Non-local artists bring styles, perspectives, and influences that are not seen in a local community. This not only adds a new style, it has the potential to inspire other artists.
• Visibility: Nationally and internationally recognized artists garner broader attention to a community. This attention helps solidify a region as having an art scene, it draws in cultural tourists, and boosts the reputation of all arts and culture in the area.
• Representation: Communities are made up of many cultures and everyone should have an opportunity to see artists and artwork that reflect them. Not all cultures represented in a community have an artist that can create a large-scale mural, so hiring non-local can achieve that.
• Promoting Inclusivity: Commissioning murals by non-local artists can be a way to promote inclusivity and diversity within the art world. It sends a message that opportunities are available to artists regardless of their geographic location. This can also help local artists look for opportunities outside of their community.
• Fresh Perspective: Non-local artists may offer fresh and innovative perspectives on local issues, history, or culture. Their outsider viewpoint can lead to creative interpretations and new narratives that resonate with the community.
• Cross-Cultural Exchange: Murals by non-local artists can serve as a form of cross-cultural exchange, allowing the local community to learn about different cultures, traditions, and stories through art.

There should be a balance of local and non-local artwork and there is space in the Quad Cities for both! Thankfully, there are several projects that are currently in the works from cities in the Quad Cities Region.

​The conversation does not end here, come back next month for a post on how you (and your business) can support local artists!
​

​Quad City Arts announced that the Quad Cities nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $29,030,438 in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. That economic activity of $16,253,537 in spending by nonprofit arts and culture organizations and $12,776,901 in event-related spending by their audiences supported 712 jobs and generated $6,169,570 in local, state, and federal government revenue. Spending by arts and culture audiences generates valuable commerce for local merchants, a value-add that few other industries can compete with.

Building on its 30-year legacy as the largest and most inclusive study of its kind, AEP6 uses a rigorous methodology to document the economic and social contributions of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. The study demonstrates that, locally as well as nationally, arts and culture are a critical economic driver of vibrant communities.

“At Quad City Arts, we see firsthand the social impact of the arts on our community and on individuals, and we know that the arts have a significant impact on our local economy. With this study, we can put numbers to that impact. It is also worth highlighting that this study collects the impact of only non-profit arts and culture organizations in Scott and Rock Island Counties, it does not include the large number of for-profit arts and culture organizations,” said Kevin Maynard, Quad City Arts, Executive Director.

Nationally, the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study reveals that America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry—one that supports 2.6 million jobs and generates $29.1 billion in government revenue.

“Arts and culture organizations have a powerful ability to attract and hold dollars in the community longer. They employ people locally, purchase goods and services from nearby businesses, and produce the authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists, and new residents,” said Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities.”

AEP6 represents a reset from its previous versions, establishing a new benchmark in the AEP study series.

● Social Impact: For the first time, AEP6 expands beyond the economic and financial data to include social impact measurements of arts and culture’s effect on the well-being of communities and residents.

● Equity and Inclusion: AEP6 broke new ground by prioritizing equity, community engagement, and inclusivity. With the goal of reducing systemic bias, Americans for the Arts transformed its approach and expanded the inclusion and participation of organizations serving or representing BIPOC- (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and ALAANA- (African, Latine, Asian, Arab, Native American) identifying communities.

Nationally, the extensive research reveals proportional economic and community impacts among attendees at BIPOC and ALAANA organizations to the overall national average. These findings should initiate new, and escalate existing, critical funding conversations about BIPOC and ALAANA organizations receiving fair and proportional financial support.

Key figures from the Quad Cities AEP6 study include:

• Quad Cities nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $12,776,901 in event-related spending by its audiences.
• The typical attendee spends $27.18 per person per event, not including the cost of admission.
• 19.7% of arts and culture attendees were from outside the region in which the activity took place. They spent an average of $42.71. All vital income for local merchants.
• 88.9% of respondents agreed that the activity or venue they were attending was “a source of neighborhood pride for the community.”
• 83.2% said they would “feel a sense of loss if that activity or venue was no longer available.”

AEP6 demonstrates the significant economic and social benefits that arts and culture brings to their communities, states, and the nation. To amplify the study results and raise awareness of these widespread benefits with public and private-sector leaders, seventeen national organizations partnered with Americans for the Arts on AEP6:

• Actors’ Equity Association
• African Diaspora Consortium
• Arts & Planning Division (American National Association of Counties ● National Conference of State Legislatures Planning Association)
• Black Legislative Leaders Network
• Department for Professional Employees
• AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations)
• Destinations International
• International City/County Management Association
• Independent Sector
• National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations
• National Independent Venue Association
• National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women
• Race Forward
• Recording Industry Association of America
• The Conference Board
• U.S. Conference of Mayors
  
  

By measuring arts and culture’s wide-ranging impact, public and private sector leaders can work together to secure funding and arts-friendly policies that shape more vibrant and equitable communities.

The full report, a map of the 373 study regions, and a two-page economic impact summary for each, can be found at AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org. For more information, follow us @Americans4Arts