The Town of Normal accepted a donation of the land, the building and the organizational assets from the Illinois Art Station (IAS) Board and the IAS Foundation following Council action March 3.
Residents and IAS patrons will benefit from a planned consolidation when the Town assumes oversight of the non-profit art and education organization this year.
“Accepting this donation aligns with the Town’s ongoing commitment to public art, placemaking and developing a strong local identity, all priorities in the Comprehensive Plan and the Town’s Strategic Plan,” says City Manager Pamela Reece. “Both the Town and IAS staff are committed to a smooth transition. Merging day-to-day operations may take time, but most importantly, IAS patrons can expect continued quality and art programming.”
Art education and programming will remain at the building located on 2.7 acres at 101 Vernon Ave., Normal. The Illinois Art Station will maintain its name and become part of the Town of Normal Cultural Arts Department.
“I’m thrilled to see Illinois Art Station join the outstanding suite of programs that make up the Town of Normal’s Cultural Arts Department. I am deeply grateful to the Town Council for recognizing the vital importance of the visual arts in promoting the self-reflective, creative problem-solving, and empathic skills our children need to develop into competent, caring community members,” says Dr. Laura Berk, IAS Founder and Foundation President. “Beyond that, gifting the Vernon Avenue location to the Town makes possible a myriad of community events celebrating the arts in beautiful, wooded surroundings, right in the heart of Normal.”
Reece agrees, indicating: “The Illinois Art Station donation complements the work of the Town’s Cultural Arts Department in many ways. Most importantly, it increases our expertise in art education and visual and public arts. IAS approached us about working together and we agreed this was a natural fit. The community has told us they want more public art, and we’re committed to expanding the reach.”
More than 1,700 people contributed to the creation of the Town of Normal’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan in 2017 which highlights the importance of public art in shaping a community’s identity.
Strategic Consolidation / Expanded Reach
Property transitions will be completed in April. Current IAS employees (two full-time and one part-time) will have the opportunity to become Town of Normal employees. The Cultural Arts Department will fold IAS programming and education into its budget to optimize resources and expand reach to new and existing patrons of both organizations.
“We approached the Town about this opportunity because we wanted to increase the breadth of the organization and knew the Town could help,” says Mike Straza, chair of the Illinois Art Station Board of Directors.
“Everyone benefits from this natural progression of the organizations working together,” he adds. “IAS has always enjoyed a strong partnership with the Town and the Children’s Discovery Museum. Both organizations are passionate about art education and its impact on children. We work well together and patrons will benefit from the shared expertise.”
The Town of Normal has routinely provided funds to the Illinois Art Station through the Harmon Arts Grant program. The Illinois Art Station has a strong history of working with the Museum, including providing programming through an art residency at the Museum’s Art Studio since 2023.
Building Community Identity Through the Arts & Education
“Town leaders are committed to protecting and promoting elements in our community that make it memorable,” says Reece. “The Illinois Art Station is a unique local asset from which our community benefits. We want to see it grow and thrive.”
Historically, the Town of Normal has recognized organizations contributing to the community’s quality of life and identity and worked to bolster them for future success. Examples include the Children’s Discovery Museum which became part of the Town in 1994 and the Normal Theater which the Town purchased in 1991 and restored in 1994.
About The Town of Normal Cultural Arts Department
Created in 2016, the Department of Cultural Arts provides cultural experiences and learning opportunities in Normal. The department uses multiple venues and resources to serve this mission including the Children’s Discovery Museum, the historic Normal Theater, Uptown Normal and the Connie Link Amphitheatre. The mission continues to evolve with a focus on expanding access and broadening programs with help from other Town of Normal departments and community partnerships across the area.
About the Illinois Art Station
The Illinois Art Station (IAS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing visual art education and experiences to Normal residents and visitors from across the state. IAS was created in 2018, initially thanks to a gift from Laura E. Berk, Distinguished Professor Emerita, to Illinois State University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and subsequently through her gifts to both the IAS and the IAS Foundation. IAS has operated at 101 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, since 2021. In 2023, the IAS became a resident in the Children’s Discovery Museum Art Studio, offering hands-on activities during the Museum’s regular visiting hours. Two nonprofit 501c(3)s are affiliated with the IAS: the Illinois Art Station Foundation which owns the property and facilities, and the Illinois Art Station Board which oversees staff and day-to-day operations.
