Vienna receives state cultural district designation, $200,000 grant

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

VIENNA, Ill., (KBSI) — The city of Vienna has been named an Illinois State-Designated Cultural District, securing a $200,000 grant to support cultural preservation, tourism and economic development.

The designation, awarded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, will remain in effect for 10 years.

Vienna is one of 15 communities statewide to receive the designation since the program launched in 2023.

The city earned the designation through a partnership involving Vienna High School, Johnson County government, the Johnson County Genealogical and Historical Society and Create Bridges Illinois-Southern Five.

The $200,000 grant will support cultural programming, operational improvements and planning efforts throughout Vienna and the surrounding region.

Planned projects include improvements to the Johnson County Historical Society building, expanded programming with Cache Bayou Outfitters and internship opportunities for Vienna High School students.

Through the internships, students will have opportunities to lead cultural and historical tours throughout Vienna, Johnson County and the surrounding region.

Phillip Hosfeldt, dean of system programs and chief strategy officer at Vienna High School, said the funding will help connect students with the region’s history.

“We are blessed in this region to have an abundance of natural and culturally significant sites that enrich the lives of our local communities,” Hosfeldt said. “I am thankful that this gives us an opportunity to connect our young people to that history and let them give back to our region in new, powerful ways.”

Vienna High School Superintendent Joshua W. Stafford credited regional collaboration for securing the designation.

“Collaborative work to ensure that our region is building and gaining opportunities is key for community success, business success, and ultimately drives student success,” Stafford said.

Stafford also praised Hosfeldt’s leadership and noted that Vienna was selected as one of just 15 cultural districts across Illinois.

The State-Designated Cultural Districts program is administered by the department’s Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment.

The initiative was established to promote cultural growth, economic development and community investment while helping prevent displacement.

Illinois designated five cultural districts in 2023, five in 2024 and five in 2025.

More information about the program and other designated districts is available on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.