About Us
What We Do
Arts Alliance Illinois fights for arts resources and policies that benefit our members and all Illinois residents. As the only statewide, multidisciplinary organization concentrated on the strength of arts and culture, the Alliance takes on challenges that no single organization or artist can face alone.
Why We Do It
Because arts and culture are not a luxury. Artists and cultural organizations are integral in providing health, stability, joy, reflection, and change to all our communities.
COVID-19 has had a severe impact on the arts and culture sector and has made our work more urgent and important. If you are an artist or arts administrator looking for support, please find resources here. If you would like to support the work we’re doing, please consider making a donation.
Mission
Arts Alliance Illinois builds the vitality of communities statewide through service and advocacy, generating resources for the cultural sector and creative industries.
Opportunities
Want to develop your policy or community organizing chops in the arts and culture sector? We’re seeking two talented individuals to take part in our summer 2023 fellowship program!
Community Organizer Fellow
Policy Research & Analysis Fellow
Applications for both positions are now due Thursday, March 30. Fellowships are paid. Once you’ve read the descriptions above, click here to apply!
Our Staff
Our team is small but mighty! For general inquiries please email info@artsalliance.org. You can also reach us by telephone at 312.855.3105.
CLAIRE RICE
RACHEL BERNIER-GREEN
CHAUNCEY DANIELS II
ERICK DESHAUN DORRIS
NORA GREGOR
BESSERAT HABTES
One State Conference and Capital Day Manager
AISHA MOTLANI
Senior Researcher
SASHA ONGTENGCO
Illinois Creative Recovery/B2B Arts Helpdesk Manager
BINDU POROORI
Public Programs Consultant
CARLOS SALAZAR-LERMONT
Membership Development Manager
KACIE SMITH
JONATHAN VANDERBRUG
Civic Engagement
DIMI VENKOV
HENRY WISHCAMPER
Illinois Creative Recovery/B2B Arts Outreach Manager
Board of Directors
Are you passionate about advocacy and civic engagement in the arts? Contact Dimi Venkov to learn more about
joining the Arts Alliance Illinois Board of Directors.
Officers
MICHELLE T. BOONE
THE POETRY FOUNDATION
BOARD CHAIR
Michael J. Hernandez
FRANCZEK P.C.
VICE CHAIR
O. VICTORIA LAKES-BATTLE
IFF CHICAGO
SECRETARY & TREASURER
Directors
PHILLIP BAHAR
CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL
E. Brooke Flanagan
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Rena Henderson Mason
Bold Agenda
VIVIAN LEE STANDIFIRD
PEORIA, IL & CHICAGO, IL
KATHRYN M. LIPUMA
WRITERS THEATRE
STACY PETERSON
CITY OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS
ELIGIO PIMENTEL
MCANDREWS
MARK RODRIGUEZ
LOHENGRIN FOUNDATION
ROCHE SCHULFER
GOODMAN THEATRE
SCOTT SILBERSTEIN
HMS MEDIA
JOHN STREMSTERFER
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE LAND OF LINCOLN
ANDREAS WALDBURG-WOLFEGG
INVESTMENT MANAGER
ALISA WOLFSON
LEO BURNETT CHICAGO
ANGEL YSAGUIRRE
COURT THEATRE
Arts Leadership Council
The ALC is comprised of Illinois arts and culture leaders who advise the Alliance on strategy, programs, and membership development.
Contact Erick Deshaun Dorris to learn more about joining the Arts Leadership Council.
PHILLIP BAHAR
CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL
Co-Chair
SCOTT SILBERSTEIN
HMS MEDIA
Co-Chair
QUINN ADAMOWSKI
LANDMARKS ILLINOIS
CHUCK BENYA
ARTSPACE 304
LISA GAYE DIXON
ILLINOIS THEATRE
Heather Ireland Robinson
Jazz Institute of Chicago
Doug Johnson
McLean County Arts Center
LYNN LAPLANTE
CHICAGO JAZZ PHILHARMONIC
Mary McNamara Bernsten
Rockford Area Arts Council
LYNNE PACE GREEN
ARTIST AND EDUCATOR
NIKKI ROMAIN
ARTISTS REENVISIONING TOMORROW (ART, INC.)
Jorge Silva
Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Coffe Summers
Coffea Magazine
Sam Thousand
Musician, Curator, Director
Deborah Venezia
Arts DuPage
Camille Wilson White
Oak Park Area Arts Council
HENRY WISHCAMPER
BUSTLING SPACES
Our Supporters
We are grateful to our government, foundation, and corporate partners, without whom the Alliance’s advocacy and programs wouldn’t be possible.
Government
Foundations & Corporations
