Springfield Area Arts Council

Springfield Area Arts Council

The Springfield Area Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1976 in Springfield, Illinois with the mission to enrich the community by providing creative opportunities to participate in and enjoy the arts. We fulfill our mission by supporting art and cultural initiatives in Springfield and surrounding communities of Sangamon and Menard counties.

We’re located in the lower level of the beautiful Hoogland Center for the Arts: 420 South Sixth Street Springfield, IL 62701 • Phone: 217-753-3519 • Fax: 217-753-8018. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

2021 Audit (PDF)

In the sweep of pandemic and protest, the Springfield Area Arts Council renews our commitment to encourage, embrace, and celebrate diversity. The Arts Council affirms our pledge not to discriminate in any way by reason of race, color, religion, national origin, income, mental/physical ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression and to listen to those who know better than we do where discrimination lingers in our society.

Recommitment to Equity Statement

The visual, performing, and literary arts in the greater Springfield area should encompass all creative efforts. Therefore, the Arts Council stands ready to ally with those who seek to educate and to find community-led solutions.

As the Arts Council celebrates our 45th anniversary, we will endeavor to help the community imagine, engage, heal, and move forward.

Gold Transparency 2023. Candid.

Administrative Staff              

A color photo of BELLA SZABO smiling. She has brown hair with bangs, glasses, and a red cardigan.

Bella Szabo is a visual artist, curator, and arts administrator. In addition to working at the Springfield Area Arts Council, she is an instructor at the Springfield Art Association.

Bella Szabo

Executive Director

Bella Szabo is a visual artist, curator, and arts administrator. In addition to working at the Springfield Area Arts Council, she is an instructor at the Springfield Art Association.

A color photo of Sheila Walk smiling into the camera.

Sheila Walk has worked with the Springfield Area Arts Council for over 16 years. She is a former teacher at Ursuline Academy and continues to educate the community in her new role as Education Director.

Sheila Walk

Education Director

Sheila Walk has worked with the Springfield Area Arts Council for over 16 years. She is a former teacher at Ursuline Academy and continues to educate the community in her new role as Education Director.

A black and white graphic of the Springfield Area Arts logo. The word "ARTS" created by different blocks.

Sarah Burke

Bookkeeper

Board of Directors

 

A color photo of Steve Rambach smiling for the camera as he rides a racing bicycle. He is wearing a white helmet, glasses, a black and white graphic shirt with colorful details.

“I believe in service and have been with the Springfield Arts Council going on six years during two intervals.” Steve Rambach was a teacher and counselor at Lanphier High School for 52 years. Married to Libby Larison Rambach for 50 years, they have three children and six grandchildren.

Steve Rambach

Officer: President

“I believe in service and have been with the Springfield Arts Council going on six years during two intervals.” Steve Rambach was a teacher and counselor at Lanphier High School for 52 years. Married to Libby Larison Rambach for 50 years, they have three children and six grandchildren.

A color photograph headshot of Al Shull looking into the camera. He is wearing glasses and a grey polo shirt.

Al Shull is professor of art at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois.

Al Shull

Officer: Secretary

Al Shull is professor of art at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois.

A color photograph headshot of Douglas Holt smiling into the camera. He has a short beard and is wearing a khaki polo shirt.

Douglas Holt is an Artist, Actor, Writer, Entrepreneur, Photographer, Private Diplomat, International Award-winning poet, and National Senior Olympian. He has been a Community Activist for more than 30 years, serving on local and national boards.

Douglas Holt

Director

Douglas Holt is an Artist, Actor, Writer, Entrepreneur, Photographer, Private Diplomat, International Award-winning poet, and National Senior Olympian. He has been a Community Activist for more than 30 years, serving on local and national boards.

Melinda Kaye is a former Adjunct Instructor of Music at Lincoln Land Community College. She studied Community Arts Management at University of Illinois at Springfield.

Melinda Kaye

Director

Melinda Kaye is a former Adjunct Instructor of Music at Lincoln Land Community College. She studied Community Arts Management at University of Illinois at Springfield.

A color photo of Ron Silver speaking into a microphone to someone off-camera.

Ron Silver, a composer and performer, is the Director and Producer of NEW MUSIC SPRINGFIELD and Adjunct Instructor at UIS leading the Make A Noise Ensemble. Before moving to Springfield he was the Director and Producer of New Music New College in Sarasota, FL, and before that the lead singer, songwriter, and keyboard player in the alternative rock band No Radio in New York City.

Ron Silver

Director

Ron Silver, a composer and performer, is the Director and Producer of NEW MUSIC SPRINGFIELD and Adjunct Instructor at UIS leading the Make A Noise Ensemble. Before moving to Springfield he was the Director and Producer of New Music New College in Sarasota, FL, and before that the lead singer, songwriter, and keyboard player in the alternative rock band No Radio in New York City.

A color headshot of Allison Lacher looking into the camera. She is wearing a dusty rose blazer over a black tshirt with white letters.

Allison Lacher is a visual artist and curator based in Springfield, IL. She is the Director of the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery and she is a Co-Director at STNDRD. She was a founding member of the artist-owned gallery Monaco in St. Louis, MO and she served as Co-Director of DEMO Project until its demolition in 2018.

Allison Lacher

Director

Allison Lacher is a visual artist and curator based in Springfield, IL. She is the Director of the University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery and she is a Co-Director at STNDRD. She was a founding member of the artist-owned gallery Monaco in St. Louis, MO and she served as Co-Director of DEMO Project until its demolition in 2018.

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