Create Space for the Arts
We have built the foundation. Help us create what comes next.
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Help the Frankfort Arts Association grow Underground into a more complete community arts resource—with a dedicated gallery, affordable artist studios, and more room for classes and creative gatherings.
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Our goal: $50,000
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Your gift will help prepare additional space and support the first three years of growth.
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toward our $50,000 goal
Secure donations processed through Square. Gifts of every size are welcome.
A home for creativity in our community
Celebrating the opening of Underground in 2024. Help us create its next chapter.
​Since 2018, the Frankfort Arts Association has brought people together through exhibitions, classes, Art on the Green, scholarships, public art initiatives, and community partnerships.
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In 2024, we opened Underground at 20 S. White Street in downtown Frankfort—a year-round nonprofit art market, creative workspace, and gathering place.
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Here, visitors discover work by area artists, teaching artists share their skills, and people come together to explore their creativity. Underground gives the arts an everyday presence in our community.
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Now we have an opportunity to give that work more room.
What makes this work possible
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FAA is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our president and board serve without pay, and Underground is staffed entirely by volunteers during open hours.
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We appreciate the Village’s annual sponsorship of Art on the Green and its partnership in providing hallway exhibition space at Frankfort Village Hall. FAA does not receive ongoing operating funding from the Village or a park district.
Our year-round work is supported through memberships, fundraising, art sales, class fees, grants, and private contributions. Volunteers organize exhibitions, welcome visitors, coordinate programs, maintain our spaces, and handle the work behind the scenes.
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The welcoming spaces and professional programs you see are made possible by volunteer effort and careful stewardship. Sustaining that work—and making room for more—requires financial support from individuals, businesses, and community partners.
More space. More opportunities.
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We are working toward expanding Underground into adjoining space within the same building. This campaign focuses on a practical next step that would bring more arts opportunities together under one roof.
A dedicated gallery at Underground
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Studio C has provided a valuable home for FAA exhibitions. A dedicated gallery at Underground would make exhibits accessible throughout our open hours, including weekends. Visitors could discover an exhibition while shopping or attending a class, giving artists more visibility and allowing our volunteers to welcome visitors and support programs in one location.
Affordable artist studios
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Five private studios would offer artists affordable space to work, develop their practice, and connect with a creative community.
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Space to learn and gather
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Our existing workspace would continue to host classes and workshops, with additional gathering space providing options for demonstrations, talks, and community partnerships.
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Together, these spaces would give artists more ways to work, teach, exhibit, and sell—and residents more ways to learn, participate, and connect.
​What $50,000 will help accomplish
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Our $50,000 goal will help us expand responsibly while keeping current programs strong. Your contribution will help:
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Prepare and equip additional space, including improvements, furnishings, lighting, and equipment.
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Support the first three years of growth as studios fill and programming expands.
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Provide financial stability during the transition, allowing FAA to grow while continuing its existing work.
Studio rent and income from programs will contribute to ongoing costs. Donations and business support will help make the shared gallery, learning spaces, and community opportunities possible.
We will share campaign progress and keep supporters informed about how contributions are being used.
Sponsor a space
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Help create a space that carries your name or honors someone special. Sponsorship opportunities connect your generosity with the art, learning, and community experiences you make possible.
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Gallery — $10,000+
Support a dedicated home for FAA exhibitions and opportunities for people to discover local art.
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Classroom — $10,000+
Support a welcoming space for creative learning through classes and workshops for youth and adults.
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Gathering space — $7,500+
Support a welcoming place for community gatherings, artist talks, demonstrations, and shared experiences.
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Studio artist corridor — $5,000+
Help showcase the work of Underground’s resident studio artists in the corridor outside their workspaces.
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Artist studio — $2,500+ each · Five available
Support affordable workspace where local artists can develop their work and connect with the community.
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Recognition may feature an individual, family, business, or organization, or a dedication honoring a loved one. Recognition will remain in place for as long as FAA occupies the sponsored space.
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Sponsorship gifts count toward our $50,000 campaign goal and support the overall expansion. We will confirm specific spaces and recognition details with each sponsor as plans are finalized.
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Interested in sponsoring a space? Contact Christina Cooley to discuss availability and recognition.
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Choose how you would like to help
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Make a one-time gift of $50, $100, $250, $500, or any amount meaningful to you. Or become a monthly supporter with an amount that fits your budget. Regular contributions provide dependable support that helps FAA plan ahead.​
Secure donations processed through Square.
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Business contributions and pledges
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Businesses and individuals can participate through larger gifts, sponsorships, matching contributions, or multiyear pledges. We would be happy to show you Underground and discuss how your support could make a difference.
Contact Christina to discuss a contribution.
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Materials and professional services
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Equipment, furnishings, materials, and professional expertise may help us prepare the space. Please contact us before donating so we can match your offer with the project’s needs.
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Give by check
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Make your check payable to Frankfort Arts Association and write Create Space for the Arts in the memo.
Mail to:
Frankfort Arts Association
P.O. Box 408
Frankfort, IL 60423
Questions about the campaign​
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Are FAA’s leaders paid?
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No. Christina Cooley’s role as president is unpaid, and our board serves as volunteers. Payments to teaching artists and artists whose work is sold are separate from volunteer leadership.
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Why raise additional funds for expansion?
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Our existing resources help protect current programs and operations. This campaign will help us prepare additional space and support its early years while preserving that stability. Growing responsibly requires both resources to get started and dependable support to continue.
When will the expansion open?
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We have not announced an opening date. Timing will depend on space availability, preparation work, funding, and a sustainable operating plan. We will share updates as those details are confirmed.
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What if expansion takes longer than expected?
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If the timeline changes, we will update supporters and explain the next steps. Campaign funds will remain dedicated to preparing for and supporting the expansion. If the project’s scope changes substantially, we will communicate with donors before moving forward.
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Does a campaign gift include FAA membership?
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Campaign contributions are separate from FAA membership. Both are valuable ways to support our work, and you do not need to be a member to contribute.
Help create what comes next
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A place to discover an artist. A class that opens up a new interest. A workspace where an idea takes shape. A gathering that brings neighbors together.
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Your support can help make more of these experiences possible.
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Thank you for helping build the next chapter of Underground.
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For questions or a visit to Underground, contact:
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Christina Cooley
President & Co-Founder
Frankfort Arts Association
christinacooley@frankfortarts.org
(312) 639-6847
Our Campaign Supporters
Thank you to the individuals and businesses helping create what comes next for Underground.