2020 Youth Scholarship Winners Virtual Exhibit

We asked the recipients of the 2020 Youth Scholarships to share samples of their ongoing work in the arts.

View the virtual exhibit here.

2021 Youth Scholarships 

The Des Plaines Arts Council Board has made the difficult decision to ‘pause’ the Youth Scholarship Program for 2021. We will not be taking applications for Youth Scholarships in 2021. This is due to uncertainties related to the pandemic. We are looking forward to re-opening the program for 2022.

If you have any questions about the scholarship program, please email scholarships@dpartscouncil.org.

More information here

Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery

The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery is a co-operative venture between the Des Plaines Art Council and Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce. This is another venue for artists from all over the world to show and sell their work. Des Plaines is a community that celebrates and supports the arts..

Exhibits run for 2 – 3 months, depending on schedule for each artist.

Call for Works for the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce Art Gallery are now available. For more information and to submit works.

Draw Des Plaines

Chalk Festival

Library Plaza

Saturday, August 14, 2021

11AM to 2PM

Chalk artist Nate Baranowski will be the featured artist at the “Draw Des Plaines” Chalk Fest at Library Plaza on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 11AM to 2PM. Nate will be creating a 3-dimensional work in chalk and tempera paint on the sidewalk in front of the Des Plaines Public Library. Families will be invited to take photos with the work, and also to make their own chalk art in designated sidewalk locations around Library Plaza.

Entertainment will be provided by the duo ButterBean, comprised of Julie Jurgens and Charlie Crane, who will perform their brand of folk-country-indie music as they stroll around Library Plaza to accompany families while they create and appreciate chalk art. Music provided courtesy of the Des Plaines Public Library. The library will also be distributing free comic books for kids.

The always-popular Pies on the Porch returns to the Des Plaines History Center, for the first time since 2019. Delicious homemade pies will be available for purchase whole or by the slice. Free tours of the Historic Kinder House will also be available.

This Des Plaines Arts Council event is FREE!

First Thursdays at the Frisbie

The Call for Works for First Thursdays at the Frisbie is now open.

For more information & to submit works for First Thursdays.

Des Plaines History Center Mural

In 2019, the Des Plaines Arts Council, in conjunction with the Des Plaines History Center and the City of Des Plaines, commissioned an outdoor mural by artist Jason Watts on the south wall of Des Plaines History Center building, located at 781 Pearson Street. Stop by and check it out!

Join Us

The Des Plaines Arts Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except August and December) at 7:30 am at the Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Meetings are currently being conducted as conference calls. Email us to participate.

Become a Member

Join us in our mission to strengthen, encourage, and support the arts community of Des Plaines. For as little as $25/year you can help support projects like Art Moves Des Plaines and our important Des Plaines Arts Council Scholarships.

Become a Member