The Waukegan Park District’s Arts Park Program will be on the road bringing free arts and crafts to parks and events in Waukegan. Participants will have the opportunity to create art, including drawings, paintings, crafts, mosaics, sculptures, and more. The Arts Park Program began in 2011 and creates free art experiences throughout parks in the community.

The Arts Park Program is supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The mission of the Illinois Arts Council Agency is to build a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts.

In 2022, the Arts Park Program was honored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts with the Arts in the Park Award. The award recognizes park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies that support the arts and partner with artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities.

According to the National Recreation & Park Association, like traditional sports programs, the arts also foster positive growth for all ages. Arts help youth build self-confidence, improve self-expression, enhance problem solving, encourage innovation, and build community.

Preregistration is not required to participate. More information, including all the dates and locations, is available at waukeganparks.org/artspark.