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.
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.
LIBIA BIANIBI
Senior Director, Finance & Operations
bianibi @ artsalliance.org
ERICK DESHAUN DORRIS
Director of Community Organizing
dorris @ artsalliance.org
CLAIRE RICE
Executive Director
rice @ artsalliance.org
AISHA MOTLANI
Researcher
motlani @ artsalliance.org
NICKY NI
Development & Operations Assistant
ni @ artsalliance.org
RYN OSBOURNE
Communications and Programs Assistant
osbourne @ artsalliance.org
KACIE SMITH
Program and Field Engagement Manager
smith @ artsalliance.org
JONATHAN VANDERBRUG
Deputy Director,
Civic Engagement
vanderbrug @ artsalliance.org
DIMI VENKOV
Senior Manager of Membership and Development
venkov @ artsalliance.org
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
Directors
PHILLIP BAHAR
CHICAGO HUMANITIES FESTIVAL
MIMI DE CASTRO
ITW
E. Brooke Flanagan
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Rena Henderson Mason
Bold Agenda
O. VICTORIA LAKES-BATTLE
IFF CHICAGO
VIVIAN LEE STANDIFIRD
PEORIA, IL & CHICAGO, IL
KATHRYN M. LIPUMA
WRITERS THEATRE
JASON PALMQUIST
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
STACY PETERSON
CITY OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS
ELIGIO PIMENTEL
MCANDREWS
MARK RODRIGUEZ
HEARTLAND ALLIANCE
ROCHE SCHULFER
GOODMAN THEATRE
SCOTT SILBERSTEIN
HMS MEDIA
ANDREAS WALDBURG-WOLFEGG
INVESTMENT MANAGER
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
CIVIC LEADER AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
CHRIS AUDAIN
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
CHUCK BENYA
CARBONDALE COMMUNITY ARTS
MATTHEW-LEE ERLBACH
WRITER, ACTOR, ORGANIZER
Doug Johnson
McLean County Arts Center
Heather Ireland Robinson
Jazz Institute of Chicago
NIKKI ROMAIN
ARTISTS REENVISIONING TOMORROW (ART, INC.)
José Ochoa
ChiArts Foundation
NATALIA VILLANUEVA LINARES
YAKU, HIGH PLACE
Camille Wilson White
Oak Park Area Arts Council
HENRY WISHCAMPER
THEATRE DIRECTOR, PLAYWRIGHT, PRODUCER
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
