Yaku means water.
Yaku is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Peoria, Illinois. Yaku’s mission is to curate contemporary Art experiences dedicated to exploring new ideas and cultures while connecting local and global communities through international exchanges.
Yaku,pronounced\yæ - koo\, is used to represent water in Quechua, one of the most spoken languages of indigenous people in South America.
Our pillars
HIGH PLACE : Performative Arts space, located in a mini mansion across from the giant oak tree.
HMC : The word yaku was chosen with the belief that the Hale Memorial Church building was a seed and the people generating its revival were the water that would bring it to life.
UKAYZINE : Our Nomadic trilingual international Art magazine
SNAX : Small Nomadic Artistic Experiences
Yaku strives to ensure innovative, sustained access to Arts for emerging generations and to be recognized locally and abroad as a steward of new definitions of Art and creativity. Yaku also works to cultivate a welcoming environment that inspires participation in the Arts with sociologically, culturally, and economically diverse audiences.
Our Makers
Earl Power Murphy, Co-Founder
Natalia Villanueva Linares, Co-Founder
Brent Baker, Manager
John Seckler, Branding & Design
Design
Charlie Cole, Web Developer
Seth Hodel, Motion graphics Designer
Yaku arts
Kristine Yuri Chisamore, Co-chair
Bethany Carlson, Co-chair
Angela Baldus, Maker
Jessica Bingham, Maker
Brenda Gentry, Maker
Zachary Leachman, Maker
Alexander Martin, Maker
Ukayzine
Caitlin Keturi, Co-Chair
Beth Weimer, Co-Chair
Keller Anderson, Videographer
Alexis Carballido, Videographer
Brandon D’Adam, Web Development
Madison King, Marketing
Maria Lavender, Design
Brett Rhoades, Photographer
Shannon Moore, Writer
Will Ankrum, Writer
Josh Beneventi, Writer
Yaku Paris
Muriel Babandisha, Manager
Coralie Maurin, Maker
Restoration
Nate Comte
Brent Koors
Contributors
Tory Dahlhoff, Videographer
Meredith Nunn
Christine Knuerr
Brittney Ferrero
Morgan Mullen
David Webb
Jenny Foster
Angie Ostaszewski
Ajax Giwa
George Bahati Ngona
Randy Ross
Nathaniel Lucas
Chelsie Tamms
Jasmine Garcia
Liz Guerrero
Brad Ferguson