Illinois Art Station Fund
The Interactive Art Initiative Fund was established by Dr. Laura E. Berk to support the exploration, development, and sustainability of hands-on visual arts programming and space to serve children and their families in the community, through coordination with Illinois State University. In 2018, a restatement of the original agreement renamed the fund the Illinois Art Station Fund and modified the fund purpose. As Illinois Art Station has developed, it has been determined that establishing a separate not-for-profit organization intended to be operated as a public 501(c)(3) or otherwise exempt organization, will better realize Illinois Art Station’s vision and needs. This was effective July 1, 2020. Concurrent with the transition, effective July 1, 2020, the Illinois Art Station Fund was amended to allocate resources and modify the fund purpose to support ISU graduate assistantships and other eligible student workers with experiential learning and instructional opportunities associated with Illinois Art Station. Selection of student personnel will be in accordance with university policies and procedures. On April 1, 2025, it was determined that, for the long term sustainability of the Illinois Art Station, that it would be better served to fall under the umbrella of the Town of Normal. The Illinois State University Foundation will provide the fund balance at least biannually (in January and July) to the Foundation Fund Administrator. The Foundation Fund Administrator will inform the manager of the Illinois Art Station, and the Director of Cultural Arts for the Town of Normal, of the fund balance at least biannually in those same months. If, at any time in the future, Illinois State University of Illinois Art Station or their programs are modified in any manner which makes application of the guidelines and conditions in this agreement unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve or wasteful, the donor, Dr. Laura E. Berk, or her designee, may redirect the funds she has donated from the Illinois Art Station Fund toward any cause throughout the University she chooses.