The future of arts and culture in suburban Cook County starts with you.
We’re preparing final recommendations for how to strengthen and support the creative sector in suburban Cook County, and we can’t do it without you.
Community Insight Sessions
We know a strong arts and culture sector improves the communities where we all live and work. From our ecosystem assessment survey, we’ve heard from more than 600 suburban residents and workers about the state of the arts in Cook County. Now we’ll dig deeper through community insight sessions, where you can connect with peers, preview our findings and recommendations to the County, and help shape what comes next.
Whether you’re a creative business, an organization, an artist, a resident, or someone working to shape local government, these gatherings are for you!
Can't make a session?
If you’re unable to attend but would still like to participate, reach out to Maame at addae@artsalliance.org.
Know Before You Go
Arts Alliance Illinois will be releasing a report in early 2026 with recommendations for supporting and growing the arts and culture sector in suburban Cook County. These community conversations are crucial for ensuring those recommendations align with your needs and lived experience.
These sessions are part of the Suburban Arts & Culture Ecosystem Assessment, led by Arts Alliance Illinois in partnership with Cook County Arts.
Yes—RSVP is required. Space is limited, and we want to ensure that every attendee has the opportunity to participate fully. If a session is full, you’ll have the chance to add your name to a waitlist. We’ll then contact you if a space opens up.
Absolutely! Feel free to share this invitation with creative businesses, nonprofit arts and culture organizations, individual artists, and local government partners. Just note that the focus is specifically on suburban Cook County.
If you have questions about these sessions or the Cook County Arts Ecosystem Assessment, please contact Maame at addae@artsalliance.org.
Fill out the Survey
We’re still accepting responses to our ecosystem assessment survey!
About the Ecosystem Assessment
Arts Alliance Illinois is currently embarking on a year-long data-gathering process to assess the current landscape of the cultural sector in Suburban Cook County and develop recommendations for the future.
Through rigorous research and thoughtful community engagement, Arts Alliance will help deepen Cook County’s understanding of how to best serve suburban artists, arts organizations, small business owners, creative entrepreneurs, and other members of the creative sector.
Contribute your insights by attending a Community Insight session or filling out the survey.
About Cook County Arts
Cook County Arts is a pilot initiative of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development made possible by $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. With a focus on suburban Cook County, Cook County Arts provides support for artists and nonprofit arts organizations, and seeks to mitigate the lingering negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen the suburban arts sector in the long term.
Learn more on the Cook County Arts website.