Peoria-Area Community Impact Guide 2022-2023

THE SUN FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND ARTS To strengthen and advance the arts and environmental sciences in rural and urban communities by providing quality and innovative programs, services, publication, research, re-granting financial support, and cooperative efforts for the general public, underserved groups, schools, Illinois artists, and local arts organizations.

1276 Sun Road Washburn, IL 61570 Phone: (309) 246-8403 Fax: (309) 246-3480 Email: info@sunfoundation.org Website : Sunfoundation.org Facebook : @SunFoundationIL KEY STAFF: Robert C. Ericksen, Executive Director Joan Root Ericksen, Development Director Brett Root Ericksen, Program Director and Director of Wildlife Habitat Restoration Sharon Obery, Art, and Science in the Woods Program Coordinator Nichole Fuller Office Manager & Bookkeeper Karen Zuckerman, Chair Clean Water Celebration Classroom Committee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kevin D. Day, Chair Jonathan Wright, Vice Chair Walter R. Wilkins, Secretary Lorraine Schwass, Treasurer

Founded in 1973, the Sun Foundation for Advancement in the Environmental Sciences and Arts, is dedicated to investing in educational opportunities for children and the general public by:  Providing innovative and environmental sciences and arts programs  Engaging audiences and students with outstanding artists, engineers, architects, geologists, archeologists and scientists  Promoting in-depth knowledge, creativity, f irsthand learning and stewardship CLEAN WATER CELEBRATION The 29th annual Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration launches live as a Virtual Environmental Classroom on April 25 and will be available at sunfoundation. org. For nearly three decades, the Clean Water Celebration has engaged over 63,000 middle and high school students, their teachers and the public in ways to become stewards for the planet’s natural resources, locally and globally. The Clean Water Celebration is funded by Illinois American Water and the American Water Foundation. ART AND SCIENCE IN THE WOODS The 48th year of this unique summer youth program has been scheduled for the week of June 13. Students will learn with inspiring artists, geologists, scientists and survival arts instructors, while taking in the

natural beauty of the outdoors, including a freshwater marsh, oak-hickory forest, million-year-old fossil beds, restored wetlands, prairies, ponds and streams. Volunteers serve as teaching assistants, medical staff and administrative assistants. Brett Root Ericksen, program director, Sharon Obery, program coordinator and dedicated staff provide support for the program that has served over 20,000 students. Many former students, now leaders in their profession, hail Art and Science in the Woods for inspiring them and giving them the educational foundation to pursue their profession. Several former students have returned to become instructors for the program. COMMUNITY ARTS ACCESS Through awarded grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts along with matching local grants, funds are awarded to art and community groups, schools, social service organizations and libraries in Bureau, Marshall, Stark and Woodford counties. Over the past 28 years, the program has provided a half-million dollars in grants for public arts programming in central Illinois. SIGNATURE EVENTS Spring Awakening Children’s Benefit April 23, 2022 29th Annual Clean Water Celebration April 25, 2022 Art and Science in the Woods June 13-17, 2022

Charles (Trip) Barton Dr. Brad Cotton, DC Zac Fiddles

Perrin Henrick Laura Sandall Kira Santiago

HOW TO HELP Join us for the Spring Awakening Children’s program benefit on April 23 at the Trailside Event Center . Consider volunteering or making a donation so we can continue to provide art and environmental science programming to the community for many years to come. sunfoundation.org/donate.

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