Oak Park Area Arts Council

Welcome to the
Oak Park Area Arts Council

Serving artists and art organizations in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park since 1974

ArtsFunds 2025

Applications for 2025

Due by March 14,2025

Mini Murals

Round 1 Applications Due by April 5, 2025

Welcome to OPAAC

ALWAYS THERE FOR THE ARTS

Welcome to the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC)! For over 40 years, the Arts Council has been the focal point for artistic activity in our communities. Our goal is to celebrate, support, and promote the local artists and arts organizations that strengthen and connect our communities.

The arts have an immeasurable and intrinsic value to the tri-village area of Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park. We hope to foster the integral and enriching impact that the arts contribute to the lives of everyone in our community.

Our History

In 1974, a group of local artists founded the Civic Arts Council of Oak Park—the first incarnation of the Oak Park Area Arts Council. The organization then gained nonprofit status in 1976 and began its regranting program utilizing funds from the Illinois Arts Council. As the Civic Arts Council of Oak Park expanded, so did its service area. The organization began serving River Forest and Forest Park, changing its name to the Oak Park Area Arts Council to reflect this growth. OPAAC also moved into the Village Hall of Oak Park. Currently, the Oak Park Area Arts Council offers a host of programs and services including the popular youth arts employment program Off the Wall, the Village of Oak Park’s Community Mini Mural program, OPAAC’s Fine Arts Scholarship program, and technical assistance workshops. The Oak Park Area Arts Council also coordinates public art for the Village of Oak Park. OPAAC’s regranting program, now named ArtsFunds, is one of the largest local arts council regranting programs in the state of Illinois.

The Oak Park area Arts Council’s Off the Wall program created “Parrot Pandemonium” summer 2021. Off the Wall is a summer arts employment program for artists 16-22 years old. This mural is located at 914 North Blvd in Oak Park, IL

OPAAC on Instagram

Some of our Programs

TESTIMONIALS

A community is defined by its commitment to the arts and since 1974 OPAAC has been a there for artists and arts organizations.

Yves Hughes Jr.

Immediate Past President, OPAAC

The work that artists create, especially in programs like Off the Wall, are vital to the community.

Camille Wilson White

Executive Director, OPAAC

Share your news with OPAAC (and the community)

e-ART is the Oak Park Area Arts Council’s bi-weekly newsletter which details the latest arts events and happenings in Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest. Check it out for programs, performances, galleries, classes, and other services from local artists and arts organizations. Click here for the latest e-ART, or click below to join the e-ART mailing list.

Subscribe to e-ART, the latest arts events & happenings in Oak Park, Forest Park & River Forest.