Regional Arts
Central to our mission at Artspace 304 is the support and appreciation of regional arts and culture. Participation in these programs shape and affirm our communities’ character, while reinforcing a productive and vibrant local economy. Many of our regional artists demonstrate their commitment to community work by creating opportunities for participation in the arts for our area residents, especially younger members. The creation of our Arts Council in 2022 and the continued growth of our Southern Arts Fund, and the convening of the first Arts Amaze SI Regional Conference in March 2024 are exemplary of Artspace 304’s commitment to the regional arts community.
Southern Illinois Mural Project
Our regional involvement includes the Southern Illinois Mural Project, with a goal of engaging local artists to showcase the history of our region via large-scale visual storytelling. By funding regional community arts organizations as well as the work of individual artists, the Southern Illinois Mural Project hopes to empower underserved communities and to cultivate public art throughout the region. Through the Southern Illinois Mural Project, we have placed ten murals throughout Carbondale, Herrin, Marion, and Murphysboro. We plan to expand our public arts program to include sculptural work and further fund additional projects.
Buckminster Fuller inspired mural at Artspace 304’s North Facing wall by local artist Maddie Deiters – This mural is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Welcome, Carbondale!
Welcome, Carbondale! is an initiative of the Southern Illinois Mural Project (SIMP), an Artspace 304 program, in collaboration with the City of Carbondale, SIUC, local businesses, and private donors. Welcome, Carbondale! murals are all located in downtown Carbondale, in our ever-growing outdoor museum for residents and visitors. Stay up to date with murals as they are completed through the following link.
Youth
Artspace 304 has facilitated arts education and cultural experiences for the young people of the region for decades by partnering with local schools and communities, and by providing opportunities for engaged learning and family participation. We offer a variety of cultural events throughout the year that captivate and advance the different interests of the youngest members of our community.
ALL SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PROJECT (ASHSTP)
The All Southern High School Theater Project brings together high school students from across the region for a summer of theater workshops, rehearsals, and hands-on internships. ASHSTP TM enables talented high school students to work with professional directors, musicians, and choreographers to learn all aspects of musical theater performance. ASHSTP TM interns gain experience in stage production and design as part of the Summer Youth Employment in the Arts Program, underwritten by the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Carbondale, and the Neil and Mary Ellen Dillard Scholarship Fundand contributors to the Rising Star Fund.
ASHSTP 2024: Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.
As the fantastic Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR comes to a close, we are giving a shout out to the irreplaceable cast, crew, and interns. The show would not have been possible without their hard work, talent, and dedication. They created a joyous and welcoming community that fostered growth and inspired everyone involved. We also want to acknowledge our partner, John A. Logan College, our corporate sponsors, the Illinois Arts Council, the City of Carbondale, the Neil and Mary Ellen Dillard Scholarship Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the many Rising Star donors who supported this program with their generous contributions.
From drama camp to the set strike, they put their hearts and mighty talents into this arts program, and we can’t wait to see where they go from here!
Poetry Out Loud helps students master public speaking skills, build self confidence, and learn about literary history. The program is presented by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
POETRY OUT LOUD
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study and writing of poetry at the high school level. Teachers are provided free educational materials and a template for holding student recitation competitions. Students have the opportunity to grow their recitation skills through local, regional, and national competitions.
Each fall, Artspace 304 seeks participants from Southern Illinois high schools to prepare for a regional competition held in February. English or Arts educators, librarians, homeschool teachers, or others who want more information can follow the links below. In addition, the Poetry Out Loud curriculum includes everything required to hold a juried recitation competition. Students can progress from their school competition to a regional contest. Two students from each region move on to state and then, two from each state are selected to compete in Washington DC at a national level.
Artspace 304 is the Region One Coordinator and acts as a resource to our region’s teachers who want to participate in the Poetry Out Loud program. This years Region One contest will be held February 2025. Check here for details!
FOREGROUND RURAL INITIATIVE
Made possible through the Illinois Humanities Council, the Foreground Rural Initiative aims to support the humanities in rural communities.
In 2023, Artspace 304 worked with local arts educators and facilitators to create after-school art programs for middle school students. Artspace 304 hosted two exhibitions of student work from our region, entitled Our World, Many Lenses. The culmination of the after-school art programs put on display the students’ artwork, which focused on self-expression, storytelling, and embracing diverse perspectives through narrative drawing and painting.
In 2024, kid’s community art classes took place at Shawnee Hills Arts Council and ARTSCO this summer with themes of exploring personal identity, community identity and developing a sense of place. A selection of the artwork will be on view at The Corridor Gallery located at the Carbondale Civic Center starting mid-August.
Artist Services
As Southern Illinois’ regional arts council, we support artists and organizations in the area by providing a variety of services; these include efforts to identify arts funding opportunities, guidance in the grant writing process, access to exhibition spaces, and timely seminars highlighting new opportunities for regional artists.