(105 ILCS 310/1)

(from Ch. 122, par. 1751)

Sec. 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Illinois Summer School for the Arts Act".

(Source: P.A. 84‑1351.)

(105 ILCS 310/2)

(from Ch. 122, par. 1752)

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.)

(105 ILCS 310/3)

(from Ch. 122, par. 1753)

Sec. 3.

Establishment, funding, and location.

There is hereby created the Illinois Summer School for the arts which shall be a residential arts program, conducted in the summer, at a State operated institution which successfully bids to host the program and which affords the program appropriate laboratory space, equipment, office space, recreational opportunities, and housing. The Summer Arts School shall be funded by Federal grants and State appropriations. Private contributions and endowment programs may be established. Special scholarships shall be available to assist economically disadvantaged students and special needs students who require assistance or who may have other exceptional needs which if not addressed would deny their participation in the program. The Illinois Summer School for the Arts shall admit those students who have completed the 9th, 10th, or 11th grades, and who have been determined to be eligible to attend based upon the criteria established for the arts area of their talent. Furthermore, students shall be selected from throughout the State to maintain a geographically representative population.

(Source: P.A. 84‑1351.)

(105 ILCS 310/4)

(from Ch. 122, par. 1754)

Sec. 4.

Board of trustees.

The Illinois Summer School for the Arts shall become an independent, free standing program governed by a board of trustees. The board shall be appointed by the Governor of Illinois from nominations submitted by the Illinois Arts Council and State Superintendent of Education. Representation on the board shall include individuals knowledgeable about each of six arts components, quality educational standards, and the business community. The board of trustees shall be not fewer than 11 nor greater than 17. Each nominating organization/institution shall nominate two candidates for consideration by the Governor for each vacancy. With the exception of the initial appointments, the members' terms of office shall be for 6 years. At the first meeting members shall draw lots for appointments of 2, 4 or 6 year initial terms. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the terms by appointment of a nominated candidate submitted by the organization/institution having nominated the person causing such vacancy. The initial terms shall commence upon appointment and upon expiration of a term. The member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed. The Board shall select a chair from among its members who shall serve a 2 year term as chair. Members shall receive no salary but shall be reimbursed for all ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties as members of the Board.

Within 30 days after the effective date of this Act nominations shall be submitted to the Governor for membership on the Board of Trustees. The Governor shall appoint a minimum of 11 members to the Board of Trustees within 60 days of receiving the nominations for board membership from the Illinois Arts Council and the State Superintendent of Education. The Board of Trustees shall convene within 30 days of being appointed. The first order of business shall be the selection of a chair and the selection of a Director for the Illinois Summer School for the Arts.

Upon the effective date of this Act, the planning committee established under the authority of the Illinois Arts Council for the Illinois Summer School for the Arts shall serve as the interim board for the Summer Arts School and shall assume all those powers and duties of the board including authorization to appoint an interim director until such time as the Board of Trustees is appointed by the Governor under this Act. Upon convening of the Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor under this Act, the interim board shall cease to function.

(Source: P.A. 84‑1351.)

(105 ILCS 310/5)

(from Ch. 122, par. 1755)

Sec. 5.

Powers of the board.

The board is hereby authorized to:

(a) Accept non‑cash donations and direct financial assistance toward scholarships from any public or private person or agency, to seek out federal grants and comply with rules and regulations governing grants from the federal government or from any other person or agency, which are not in contravention of the Illinois Constitution or the laws of the State of Illinois.

(b) Purchase equipment, materials and supplies necessary for the use of the Summer Arts School in accordance with "The Illinois Purchasing Act", as now or hereafter amended.

(c) Adopt, amend, or repeal rules, regulations, and policies necessary or proper for the conduct of the business of the board.

(d) Award certificates, recognition and distinguished service or professional accomplishment distinctions for persons deserving of such recognition.

(e) Appoint a Director who shall be the chief administrative officer of the Academy and who shall administer the rules, regulations, and policies adopted by the Board pursuant hereto. The Director shall also be the chief administrative officer of the Board and shall be responsible for all the administrative functions, duties and needs of the Board.

(f) Determine faculty and staff positions necessary for the efficient operation of the school and select personnel for such positions. The appointment of such faculty and staff shall not be subject to the Personnel Code.

(g) Prepare and adopt an annual budget necessary for the continued operation of the school.

(h) Enter into contracts and agreements in accordance with applicable law, and to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated therefore, with other public agencies with respect to cooperative enterprises and undertakings related to or associated with an education in the Summer Arts School. This shall not preclude the Board from entering into other such contracts and agreements that may be deemed necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(i) Perform such other functions as are necessary to the supervision and control of those phases of education under its supervision and control.

(j) The Board shall delegate to the Director such of its administrative powers and duties as it deems appropriate to aid the Director in the efficient administration of his responsibility for the implementation of the policies of the Board.

In addition to the authorities granted herein and any powers, duties, and responsibilities vested by any other applicable laws the Board shall:

(1) Adopt rules, regulations, and policies necessary for the efficient operation of the school.

(2) Establish criteria to be used in determining eligibility of applicants for enrollment. Such criteria shall ensure adequate geographic, sexual and ethnic representation.

(3) Determine subject/arts experiences and extracurricular activities to be offered.

(4) Pay salaries and expenses, including but not necessarily restricted to facilities, equipment, and supplies of the faculty and staff of the Summer Arts School out of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the operating and administrative expenses of the Board of the Summer Arts School.

(5) Exercise budgetary responsibility and allocate for expenditure by the Summer Arts School and programs under its jurisdiction, all monies appropriated or otherwise made available for purposes of the Board and of such Summer Arts School programs.

(6) Prepare and adopt or approve programs of study and rules, by laws and regulations for the conduct of students and for the government of the Summer Arts School and programs under its jurisdiction.

(7) Employ such personnel as may be needed, establish policies governing their employment and dismissal, and fix the amount of their compensation. In the employment, establishment of policies and fixing of compensation the Board may make no discrimination on account of sex, race creed, color or national origin.

(Source: P.A. 84‑1351.)