The Waukegan Arts Council (WAC) is administering the 2025 Public Art Grant Program to support public art projects that foster cultural appreciation, artistic expression, and community engagement in Waukegan, Illinois. This grant initiative encourages the development of high-quality public art experiences that promote public participation and reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the community.

WAC will distribute a total of $5,000 in funding among selected applicants. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount, and applicants are encouraged to diversify their funding sources and not rely solely on WAC for the entirety of their project’s budget. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate multiple sources of funding and a capacity for project sustainability beyond the grant term.

Projects must be located within the City of Waukegan and primarily benefit its residents. All proposed activities should enhance artistic awareness and cultural appreciation and must include evidence of artistic merit. Projects are required to occur between June 15, 2025, and June 14, 2026, and must publicly acknowledge WAC’s support, including the use of its logo in promotional materials. Additionally, a final program report is due by June 30, 2026.

Applications will be accepted beginning April 10, 2025, with a submission deadline of May 31, 2025. A grant-writing workshop will be held on April 23, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Three Brothers Theatre. Interested participants must RSVP via email. Grant decisions will be made by the WAC Board of Directors during their June 2025 meeting, with award announcements no later than June 30, 2025.

To apply, applicants must submit a single PDF document that includes a narrative and a budget, with optional support materials and letters of recommendation. The narrative must outline the background of the applicant, a detailed project description, target audience, artistic merit, and project management strategy. The budget should clearly identify all income, expenses, and specify the use of WAC funds.

Projects must not use funds for salaries or benefits and must return any unutilized funds if the project is not completed. Grantees are also required to submit a W-9 form for IRS reporting, and failure to submit a final report will render the recipient ineligible for future WAC funding. WAC retains the right to use project images for promotional purposes and may fund only a portion of a project at its discretion.