One State in the Arts & Humanities
November 5-7, 2025
Early bird registration is now open! Early Bird registration fees are $125 through September 19, 2025.
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Illinois Arts Council and Illinois Humanities present...
One State in the Arts & Humanities Conference:
Meeting the Moment
November 5-7, 2025 | Champaign-Urbana, IL
in partnership with Arts Alliance Illinois and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
One State in the Arts & Humanities is a statewide convening of arts, culture, and humanities professionals in Illinois. Join a diverse network of organizations from across the state for a convening designed to help participants make connections, develop skills, spark new ideas, and catalyze a vibrant, resilient vision for Illinois’ arts and humanities ecosystem.
The Conference theme, Meeting the Moment, invites all of us to explore what this moment asks of us — and what we can build together through the humanities and the arts.
We will gather on Wednesday, November 5, through Friday, November 7, in the vibrant Champaign-Urbana to:
- Share best practices and emerging local and national trends
- Deepen our understanding of arts and culture work in different parts of the state
- Support skill-sharing, collaboration, and peer learning
- Increase access to professional development and skill-building workshops
With more than 200 participants, One State will provide a vital opportunity for gathering, imagining, and planning.
We hope you will join us in meeting the moment.
Registration
Early bird registration is now open! Early Bird registration fees are $125 through September 19, 2025. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call for Proposals
How are you meeting the moment?
In a year marked by challenge and change, Illinois’ cultural community is stepping up with creativity, care, and commitment. Both a call to action and a space to reflect, this year’s One State invites organizations and cultural workers to explore what this moment asks of us — and what we can build together through the arts and humanities.
We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Call for Proposals here.
The deadline to submit a proposal is 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Lodging
Our conference hub will be the Hilton Garden Inn (1501 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61812). Book your hotel room by using our dedicated One State special rate link. We have an alternative discounted room block at the Holiday Inn (101 Trade Ctr Dr, Champaign, IL 61820), a 0.2 mile / 4-minute walk to the Hilton Garden Inn.
More details on the program and a call for proposals are forthcoming.
Questions? You can always reach us at OneState@ILHumanities.org.
Additional Information
More details on the program are forthcoming.
2025 One State Planning Committee
Illinois Arts Council and Illinois Humanities extend immense gratitude to the statewide planning committee for their invaluable guidance and thoughtful collaboration in shaping this year’s gathering. Thank you for your vision, time, and deep care for our state’s arts and culture community.
- Bella Szabo, Springfield Area Arts Council
- Breawna Austin, Legacy Training, Inc
- Camille Wilson White, Oak Park Area Arts Council
- Carolyn Randolph-Kato, College of Fine & Applied Arts, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Cat Tager, 3Arts
- Chuck Benya, Artspace 304
- Douglas Johnson, McLean County Arts Center
- Erin Eveland, The Hub - Arts & Cultural Center
- Gabrielle Lyon, Illinois Humanities
- Jane, Beachy, Illinois Humanities
- Jessica, Modica, Freeport Art Museum
- Joseph Gackstetter, Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
- Joshua, Davis-Ruperto, Illinois Arts Council
- Kacie Smith, Arts Alliance Illinois
- Kelly White, 40 North
- Lynne Chambers, Legacy Training, Inc.
- Mae Gilliland Wright, Arts Partners of Central Illinois
- Marcella Cloud, Macoupin Art Collective- The MAC
- Martin Matsuyuki Krause, Illinois Humanities
- Mónica Félix, Chicago Cultural Alliance
- Rachel Storm, Krannert Art Museum
- Samuel Smith, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
- Sue Scott, Western Illinois Museum
- Susan Dickson, Illinois Arts Council
- Teresa Davis, Illinois Arts Council
Contact Us
One State in the Arts & Humanities
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787
600 Troy Road
N4, Room 207
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618.468.5580
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Illinois Humanities respects the privacy of its audiences and will at no time sell or distribute personal information to any party not directly affiliated with Illinois Humanities and its programs.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
© Copyright 2025 Illinois Humanities