Chicago arts organizations seek funding increase at state hearing

Leaders of Illinois’ top cultural organizations advocated for more state funding amid economic headwinds at a state hearing on Tuesday.

Those leaders were summoned by Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet (D-Chicago), chair of the Illinois House Committee on Museums, Arts, Culture and Entertainment for a hearing at the Michael A. Bilandic Building in the Loop. A series of panels addressed committee members on the economic impact of arts and culture organizations and the outlook for the sector.

The heads and senior executives of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, National Public Housing Museum and Shedd Aquarium were among those sharing how they provide value to the community, how they've been affected by cuts to federal funding and why they are advocating for annual appropriations to fill financial gaps.

Specifically, the arts leaders expressed support for pending legislation sponsored by Du Buclet. That proposal, House Bill 4593 allocates $5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for capital grants to public museums. And House Bill 4594, an amendment to the Department of Natural Resources Act. removes the requirement for public museums to match state funding for capital development.

“Right now is a critical time for cultural institutions and museums,” said Brian Gill, senior director of government affairs and policy. “We'd like to see some state public support specifically for museums. And we'd like to see it be year-over-year to provide some certainty to institutions in these uncertain federal times.”

Illinois is home to more than 1,000 museums, which generate approximately $3 billion in economic impact and nearly 40,000 jobs, according to a report by the American Alliance of Museums. But local nonprofits are facing considerable financial constraints. Last month, Gov. JB Pritzker announced his proposed state budget, which leaves arts funding flat for fiscal year 2027. His allocation of $25.9 million for the Illinois Arts Council is up only slightly from the $25.7 million granted in fiscal year 2026. Without significant financial support, nonprofit leaders say they will continue to struggle to fill gaps left by cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts grants, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Science Foundation.

The Chicago Children's Museum was forced to eliminate an after-school STEM program for young children and cut staff when the National Science Foundation rescinded a $1.6 million grant last year.

"Visits from engineers to school, family field trips to a museum, museum programming, access to STEM learning opportunities — all were lost," said Jennifer Farrington, president and CEO of the museum. "When we invest in museums, we are investing in communities."

Du Buclet said it was important to amplify the voices of nonprofit leaders to underscore the impact of the arts.

“The state and my constituents and my colleagues understand how important arts are to the community and to the economic engine for the state, so we're just going to keep fighting for more funding,” she said.

As they expressed their support for the sector, other committee members voiced concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion at museums. Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) asked the organizations to share demographic data on their boards and staff, and examples of programming that reflect the diversity of Chicago.

"When I visit museums it is often quite whitewashed," Ammons said, specifically pointing out the dearth of African American history. “Why would we fund the museums as a priority if demographically we will not change the outcome of inclusion?” she asked.

Multiple arts leaders at the hearing said they have more work to do, but also asked state officials to support the local organizations that remain committed to DEI.

"The federal government is asking us to whitewash and scrub any efforts to promote diversity and inclusion," said Lisa Yun Lee, executive director of the National Public Housing Museum.

The state has a unique opportunity to "lean in" and say it believes in institutions that have diversity, she said.

Committee members also asked if the arts organizations could increase free admissions.

"I think accessibility is one of the most important things for museum-goers," Lee said. "But right now, a lot of our efforts go to raising funds from corporations and other people to actually pay for the free admission. If we could actually guarantee that through state funding, then we would be able to redirect that [corporate] money to other programs."

At the end of the hearing the arts leaders expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak about the challenges facing the sector.

"Yes, our budgets are hurting because we are not getting those federal dollars," said Chevy Humphrey, president and CEO of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. "But we will overcome. We will prevail by having this continuous conversation."