(105 ILCS 310/2) (from Ch. 122, par. 1752) (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026) Sec. 2. Policy and purposes. It shall be the policy of the State of Illinois to seek out and nurture the artistic talent of high school students from throughout the State who exhibit unique artistic ability in the expressive areas of Dance, Language Arts, Media, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts, in order to preserve and enhance the State's historic commitment to the cultural richness which contributes to the ability of the State to attract and maintain a citizenry who choose to reside in Illinois for its support of a quality life as well as for its economic advantages. It shall further be the policy to enlist the support of the educational, professional, and commercial communities in a cooperative effort to provide excellence in ARTS education and to serve as a model for the development of innovative instructional techniques and curricula. As a symbol of this cooperative endeavor, there shall be established the Illinois Summer School for the Arts to serve the people of Illinois as a place to nourish the creativity of its youth who possess outstanding talent in the various arts areas, and to return these young people to their home community better prepared to make a contribution to the cultural opportunities available in their town. The primary mission of the Illinois Summer School for the Arts is to seek out the artistically talented high school students from throughout the State and to immerse them in a challenging residential arts programs, unlike those typically available in local schools, where under the instruction of outstanding teachers and professional artists they will better understand how their talents can be further developed. Additionally, the summer arts school will provide opportunities to test new approaches in the teaching of the arts and staff development, and serve as a model for school programming which can be carried out in community schools State-wide. The Summer Arts School shall also carry a responsibility to provide instruction about how the participants whether students, intern, or teacher can make a positive contribution to the development of the arts in their local community upon their return home. The mission of the Illinois Summer School for the Arts shall be carried out through the following means: (a) Regionally based talent searches shall be conducted to identify the most artistically talented high school students from throughout the State from grades 9, 10, and 11 in the six arts components. (b) Teachers for the Summer Arts School shall be selected from throughout the State based upon criteria which insure the highest quality faculty represented by professional artists known for the quality of their work, teachers of the arts recognized for their excellence in teaching and curriculum development by their colleagues, and individuals possessing unique insights about the commercial and professional possibilities available to aspiring artists. (c) The instructional program shall be enhanced by visiting lecturers, performers and special exhibits open to the public by way of open houses and audience participation. (d) The Summer Arts School shall network with existing professional organizations, universities, and arts programs to foster the exchange of personnel, equipment, and conceptual enrichment. Such interaction shall include contributions in kind as well as consulting relationships. (e) Faculty of the Summer Arts School shall present professional papers and lectures around the State and in professional conferences nationally about the program and the potential for improved arts programming at the local level. (f) Participants will have access to facilities and equipment seldom available in most high school settings where they will be able to expand their knowledge of the mediums available to creative artists in the professional and commercial worlds. (Source: P.A. 86-1028. Repealed by P.A. 104-261, eff. 1-1-26.)
