the work lives on

Every generation faces a complex world with no handbook, but with a unique story to tell formed by a deep well of experiences and life history. ChiArts was founded to offer a place and community where the young artists of Chicago can safely explore, hone, develop, express, and grow into their whole person through arts training. As our societal, political, and technological climate continues to change around us, we turn to our current and future artists to show us who we are, remind us what we value, and illuminate the world we live in. Over the last 17 years, ChiArts dedicated itself to the care and enrichment of Chicago’s young artists—no matter their zip code, socioeconomic status, or background. While our organization sunsets, their need does not. Many young artists in the city continue to seek opportunities to help make their passions come to life.

Our parting hope is that our community of supporters finds more ways to create arts access, continue to care for scholar-artists, and show our city what happens when young people have the freedom and power to create. We aren’t saying goodbye, we’re saying “let’s keep going!” Thank you for being part of this once-in-a-lifetime initiative. May you find art wherever you go, and may our work live on through it.

–The ChiArts Foundation