Legacy Builders Campaign Launch

Building a Future Where Creativity Creates Opportunity

For years, ART INC has believed that creativity has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways to opportunity. What began as an after-school arts program has grown, and now we’re inviting our community to help build what comes next.

Legacy Builders is a special evening celebrating ART INC’s journey and unveiling our next chapter: ART INC Studios, a second campus for film and production, workforce training, and creative careers. Through our comprehensive campaign, your gift will unlock the State capital grant and fund the people, programs, and places that turn creativity into opportunity in Peoria.

Every gift counts. Whether you give $25 or $25,000, your gift counts toward the campaign and helps bring ART INC Studios to life.

Double your gift. Individual gifts are matched dollar for dollar by board member Andy Rubenstein through June 30, 2027. Gifts from new corporate partners are matched dollar for dollar by the Gilmore Foundation, up to $50,000, when received by March 31, 2027.

Legacy Builders Recognition Levels
Donors who give at the following levels are recognized as Legacy Builders:

• Change Makers ($1,200)
• Scene Makers ($5,000)
• Spotlight Sponsors ($10,000)
• Director’s Circle ($25,000)
• Producer Circle ($50,000)
• Visionary Circle ($100,000)

ART INC’s work already reaches hundreds of people across Peoria every year. In the last year, ASALA served 446 youth through daily out-of-school time programming, Project Enlightenment, EmpowHER Our Girls, and Save Our Sons, delivering more than 47,500 attendance hours. Pathways to College or Careers served 131 young people, with 85 graduates and a newly launched GED program. SOLVE served 86 victims and high-risk individuals, providing more than $100,000 in emergency stabilization support to those affected by gun violence.

The Romain Arts & Culture Center remains home to ASALA and SOLVE. ART INC Studios will transform the former Ashley Furniture building into a dynamic creative hub featuring production spaces, a gallery, event space, and creative workforce training. It will be a place where artists, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, students, and community members can create, collaborate, learn, and bring their ideas to life.

Bringing this vision fully to life means more than construction. It means launching the workforce programs, staffing the studios, and building the sustainability this space needs to serve Peoria for generations.

Legacy Builders is more than a fundraising event. It is an invitation to become part of the legacy we are building together, investing in a mission designed to expand opportunity, nurture creativity, and help shape a brighter future for generations to come.

Evening Program

4:00 PM Doors open. Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a video showcase of ART INC’s impact and vision.

4:30 PM Guided facility tours of the future ART INC Studios at 1819 SW Adams St.

5:15 PM Welcome remarks from Founders Jonathon and Nikki Romain, followed by the Legacy Builders presentation: the campaign vision, a Legacy Builder’s story, and the invitation to give.

Reception until 7:00 PM Connect, celebrate, and explore giving opportunities with the ART INC team.