FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Illinois Arts Council Continues Support of Local Arts Organization in Ela Township

Lake Zurich, IL (October 20, 2005) – Cultural Arts Connection of Ela, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit arts council, located in Lake Zurich, IL has announced that the organization is the recipient of a $2,960 Operating Grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The operating grant will assist the Cultural Arts Connection in maintaining and continuing to provide arts related expertise and services to the area. Cultural Arts Connection (CAC) remains primarily a volunteer nonprofit organization serving the communities of Ela Township located in southwest Lake County. Cultural Arts Connection of Ela exists to promote and encourage quality cultural events and opportunities which enhance the economic, social, educational, and cultural health of the Ela area. Ela Township includes primarily six villages: Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Long Grove and North Barrington.

The organization continues to develop new programs and services in support of the arts within the Ela area communities with enthusiasm and much success. Last year (2004), Cultural Arts Connection had launched the organizations website, which has serviced over 1,400 individuals and includes a community-wide events calendar, arts guide (featuring local artists and arts resources), arts advocates (event volunteer program), and E-Arts (a free service to announce arts-related news). This past year (2005), the organization held the popular and successful Ela Fine Arts Show and Student Art Exhibit at the Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park, IL, and has also, for the third year in a row, continued the organizations partnership with the Village of Lake Zurich, arranging the talent for the Lake Zurich Promenade Summer Entertainment Series. Also, during the past year, Cultural Arts Connection has developed and initiated a new and innovative grant program entitled “SHARE” an acronym for Supporting Healthy Arts Related Endeavors.” Upon the programs introduction, it has become an instant success in awarding three area programs grants totaling nearly $3,000. These grant awardees had included the Village of Hawthorn Woods for their Summer Concert Series in the Park, Ela Area Public Library Youth Anime art classes and art show, focusing on different aspects of Japanese style comics also featuring professional artists and the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department’s Chili Cook-off entertainment along with encouragement to continue to expand and improve upon the event in the future, suggesting the inclusion of a Gourmet Chef demonstration and/or a master class related to the art of cooking chili.

Funding for the SHARE program has come from the organization’s endowment fund established several years ago. Each grantee has a rigorous grant application procedure to follow and is encouraged to take a lead role in the support of quality arts, arts programming, as well as, encouraged to support the cultural, social, educational and economic growth of a community in keeping with the Cultural Arts Connection/Ela’s mission statement. SHARE grant submissions are evaluated by a committee of local peers on Artistic Merit, Community or National Impact, Effective and Accountable Management, and Audience Development, along with other guidelines and requirements. Grant details are available on the CAC website. Cultural Arts Connection’s belief is that, through the new SHARE Grant program, focusing on local arts programs and/or public art projects, the organization can increase community involvement and awareness on the importance of the arts and the impact the arts have on our communities.

With the assistance of the 2006 Operating Grant Award received from the Illinois Arts Council, Cultural Arts Connection of Ela will be able to continue to move forward with future planning, bring focus to quality arts programming, present healthy cultural alternatives and opportunities, thus, impact the cultural, educational, economic and social growth of the Ela area in support of the organizations mission statement "Support and develop the arts for a healthier, more creative community."

About the Illinois Arts Council
In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly created the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) for the purpose of encouraging development of the arts throughout Illinois. This state agency assists artists, arts organizations and other community organizations that present arts programming by providing financial and technical assistance. Funds are provided annually to the Council by the Illinois State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. To learn more about the Illinois Arts Council visit: www.state.il.us/agency/iac

	This website is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
	P.O. Box 365, Lake Zurich, IL 60047 Telephone 847-540-1919 FAX 847-540-8457 General Information: ElaArts@aol.com Copyright © 2003 Cultural Arts Connection. All rights reserved