Arts Quincy receives Arts Engagement in American Communities Award from NEA

QUINCY – The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Arts Quincy, America’s first arts council, the 2021 Arts Engagement in American Communities Award. The award includes a $10,000 grant to support community arts access projects in the coming year.

The award recognizes nonprofits committed to engaging their communities in the arts through robust outreach, multi-disciplinary collaboration and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in programing. 

“The arts make communities more vibrant and fulfilling places, help us to heal, and strengthen our nation’s economy,” said Ann Eilers, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, in a press release. “The National Endowment for the Arts is committed to supporting organizations nationwide, such as Arts Quincy, helping to make it possible for our arts and culture sector to grow and for more Americans to have access to the arts.”

Community Arts Access programs include public art and culture events, art in education through Adams County schools, and support services for 55 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the region.

“Arts Quincy believes in the power of the fine arts to be a positive driver of economic and emotional well-being for all parts of our community,” Arts Quincy Executive Director Laura Sievert said. “We are constantly reaching out to stakeholders to understand their needs and then collaborating with funders and partners to make exciting and engaging programs possible.

“‘Arts Quincy: It’s for you!’ is more than just a tagline. It’s an invitation for each and every community member to feel welcome and to find their home in the arts.”

Arts Quincy held three free community arts engagement events this year — two Summer of the Arts programs at the Jackson Lincoln Pool and the recent Sunday Stroll for George event at Bill Klingner Trail.  The organization has also been a collaborator with the Adams County Health Department working on encouraging vaccinations through artwork and messaging this summer. 

Arts Quincy was founded in 1947 as America’s First Community Arts Council and for more than 70 years has been committed to increasing fine arts access to every resident in Adams County, IL and the surrounding area.

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations and develop their creative capacities.