The Decatur Arts Podcast

Jerry Johnson and Kim Fouse talk about how the Arts Council has adjusted over the past nine months and how important you are to ensuring the future of the arts in the Decatur Area.

Audio version of the latest Decatur Area Arts Council eBlast, as read by Jerry Johnson.

Audio version of the latest Decatur Area Arts Council eBlast, as read by Jerry Johnson.

Audio version of the latest Decatur Area Arts Council eBlast, as read by Jerry Johnson.

Jay is joined by Gallery Director Jami Fawley to talk about the Ann Lloyd Gallery's current exhibit, "Decatur: Memories of our Hometown."

Jerry leads the staff of Decatur Area Arts Council through a Zoom update of all that is being done to move things forward through continuing and ever-changing social distancing guidelines.

Audio version of the monthly Decatur Area Arts Council eBlast, as read by Jerry Johnson.

Jerry and Jay take a deep dive into the Decatur Municipal Band with longtime conductor Jim Culbertson and Muni President Steve Schepper. Featuring stories from their early days in the band, a look at what it takes to create a season, and a discussion on what they have planned for the band's summer 2020 season.

Jerry Johnson delivers the Spring 2020 issue of the DAAC ArtsBeat newsletter in audio form.  This issue covers topics for April/May/June, such as: • Virtual Corks & Forks • Raffle for ticket package to see 'Hamilton' • Annual Fund Drive - Color Our Community • Call for Artists to exhibit in three different ways • Office Space Available in the Madden Arts Center • Summer Art Classes • Gallery Exhibits and International Arts Experience - Discover MEXICO • Members+ Event in May • Local Grants

Jerry and Jay chat about the realities of COVID-19 in relation to the Arts Council's biggest fundraiser of the year, Corks & Forks--which, due to the Illinois mandate to "self isolate" during the ongoing pandemic, will now take place as an online community event on April 30th! 

Merry Christmas! Our holiday show "Christmastime in Soy City: A Rockin' Musical Review" was performed on Saturday, December 21st at the Decatur Civic Center, and here it is in all its slightly edited-for-time glory! The Decatur Area Arts Council teams with Millikin's Rock University to showcase a collection of Christmas songs that cover Rock n Roll, R&B, Blues, and so on. Sponsored by Neuhoff Media and Decatur Brew Works. We hope you enjoy!

Jay and Jerry discuss the upcoming fundraiser “Christmastime in Soy City: A Rockin’ Musical Review” which benefits the Decatur Area Arts Council and Millikin University’s Rock U program for young performers. They also chat about this year’s Downtown Christmas Walk, Christmas Card Lane, and several other musical offerings coming up around town.

Jay chats with DAAC Gallery Director Sue Powell about the upcoming Holiday Gift Shoppe in the Anne Lloyd Gallery at the Madden Arts Center. This re-imagining of the long running XMas ARTicles will run Nov 8 - Dec 28, and features wall to wall handmade art and fine crafts. "Gifty items," as Sue calls them-- unique items that when you see them you think, "oh, that would be PERFECT for so-and-so!" They discuss the nature of this pop-up shoppe, the impact it has on local artists, Sue's process for finding and working with artists and more.

Jerry and Jay discuss the upcoming Dead in Decatur International Film Festival with the event's executive producer, Zach Tindell. Five feature-length and nearly sixty short films in a variety of genres will be screened, with numerous presentations and tutorials by filmmakers set to be featured throughout the weekend (Nov 1-2, 2019).

Jerry and Jay discuss the weekend's festivities, which include the annual Arts in Central Park as well as a special one-night-only pop-up shop featuring the work of internationally renowned artist (and Decatur native) Ron English!

Jay is on location at Decatur Brew Works (102 E William St) with co-owner Dreux Lewandowski to talk about the new location, brewing beer, and his role in the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. Dreux was one of the original architects of the fundraiser back when he was at Macon Resources, Inc, and is a current part of the behind-the-scenes team for what is easily the biggest year yet!

Hosts Jerry and Jay discuss summer arts programs for kids available throughout the community, followed by an in-depth discussion with Braun Sheets and Mikey Schoneman of the First Gig and Rock University music programs.

The 2019 Decatur Craft Beer Festival is Saturday, August 24th! This fundraiser for the Decatur Area Arts Council is being sponsored by the Cromwell Radio Group, and Jerry swung by to talk with Talk 101 hosts Scott and Doug about the upcoming event. Also in this episode: the International Arts Experience is now open to the public; an update on this season's city-wide Mural Project; and Jenny Cowgill joins Jerry and Jay to discuss upcoming classes being offered by the DAAC.

Jerry and Jay are back! The fellas talk about the Summer Reading Kickoff, upcoming DAAC classes, and the brand new Devon Amphitheater. Plus, Sue Powell sits down with Jerry to discuss this year's International Arts Experience!

Jerry and Jay take a look at upcoming DAAC classes, discuss the Anne Lloyd Gallery's upcoming March exhibit, and tease the 19th annual Corks & Forks fundraising event scheduled for April 25th!

We take a look at the Decatur Area Arts Council’s longest-running program, The Performing Arts Series for Students— more widely known as P.A.S.S.

Our debut episode! Join the Decatur Area Arts Council's Jayson Albright, Kim Fouse, and Executive Director Jerry Johnson for a quick recap of recent DAAC activity and a brief discussion of Grants (or as Kim likes to refer to it, "Money!").