5 Notable Arts Organizations In Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States, Chicago is a cultural hub with a thriving arts scene. The organizations listed here use the power of art to build community, develop leadership, and fight for important causes. If you want to help invest in artists, promote public interest in the arts, or use the power of creativity for good, consider giving them your support. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Chicago Groups Dedicated To The Arts
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| The Arts Club of Chicago | Encourage, foster, promote, and sponsor activities and presentations which would aim to increase public interest in the arts and related activities |
| Terra Foundation for American Art | Foster exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts of the United States for national and international audiences |
| Arts & Business Council of Chicago | Develop leadership, the business of arts, and the art of business in Chicago |
| DIFFA Chicago | Champion the fight to end HIV/AIDS through awareness, prevention, and the pursuit of a cure |
| United States Artists | Invest in America's finest artists and illuminate the value of artists to society |
The Value Of The Arts In Illinois' Economy
According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, arts and cultural productions accounted for 3.4% of the total gross state product in Illinois in 2016, contributing 211,192 jobs. The table below compares the value added to the economy by arts to the value added by other sectors.
| Sector | Value Added |
|---|---|
| Retail | $39,545,200,000 |
| Transportation | $31,077,900,000 |
| Construction | $28,286,800,000 |
| Arts & Cultural Production | $27,207,358,000 |
| Utilities | $13,227,300,000 |
| Education Services | $12,613,200,000 |
| Agriculture & Forestry | $5,815,100,000 |
| Mining | $1,715,500,000 |
Arts Education in America
- 91% of Americans agree that the arts are "part of a well-rounded education"
- 93% to 94% believe that students in elementary, middle, and high school should receive an education in the arts
- 74% agree that the arts help students to perform better academically
- Nationally, more than 40% of secondary schools did not require arts courses for graduation for the 2009-2010 school year
- Federal funding for arts & humanities is around $250 million a year, while the National Science Foundation is funded at around the $5 billion mark
- Arts and music education programs are mandatory in countries that rank near the top for math and science test scores, like Japan, Hungary, and the Netherlands
- According to a nationwide study, 63% of eighth-graders took a music class, and 42% took a visual arts class
- Students in the Northeast were twice as likely (68%) to have taken a visual arts class than students in the South (35%)
- Students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch, which is often used as a proxy to identify low-income students, scored an average of 26 points lower in music than those not eligible and 22 points lower in visual arts
- In the District of Columbia, 75% of white students took an art course, compared to 49% of black students
How Art Gives Shape To Cultural Change
In Depth
Chicago is known for many things, from its iconic deep-dish pizza to its professional sports teams and world-class museums. Thanks to the presence of galleries, a renowned theater scene, and many groups that actively work to support artists, it's also a terrific place for the nurturing of creativity. Offering inspiring exhibitions, events, and numerous opportunities for creators of all kinds to advance their careers, here are, in no particular order, five significant arts organizations in the Windy City.
At #1 is The Arts Club of Chicago. An esteemed exhibitor of global art and a forum for both burgeoning and established creators, this organization works to encourage, promote, and expand public interest in the arts. It carries out its mission by offering activities and events such as lectures, demonstrations, gallery talks, performances, and a range of public exhibitions, three to four of which are held every year. Aiming to facilitate productive relationships, spur conversation, and bolster access in the community, the Club opens its membership to creative practitioners and patrons alike.
Central to the Club is its permanent collection, which contains works from a plethora of modern masters including Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, and Joan Miro, as well as pieces from more contemporary artists. Most of the collection is on display in the second floor and private rooms, which the public can visit by appointment. Members and guests are also able to use the dining spaces in the building, as well as attend weekly lectures featuring a diversity of illustrious speakers. Become a member to support the Club, and receive additional benefits such as access to exclusive events.
Become a member to support the Club, and receive additional benefits such as access to exclusive events.
For #2 we have the Terra Foundation for American Art, which is devoted to fostering the appreciation and exploration of US visual art among domestic and global audiences. Driven by an understanding of how crucial it is for people to experience artworks firsthand, it creates opportunities for interaction and study through grants, fellowships, research resources, and the presentation of its collection in Chicago and other cities. Maintaining a worldwide presence in order to advance cross-cultural discourse, the Foundation collaborates on a myriad of exhibitions and programs that reach communities around the world.
Exemplifying the United States' vibrant cultural heritage, the Terra Foundation's collection comprises nearly 800 works from the colonial era to 1945, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and prints. Many of these pieces, which come from such virtuosos as Thomas Cole, Winslow Homer, and George Bellows, are displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago. Other significant contributions to the city involve grants that fund public programs, exhibitions, and education initiatives, as well as ones that support academic events and motivate American art history-related scholarship. Follow the Foundation on social media and spread the word about its work.
Arriving at #3 is Arts & Business Council of Chicago. Striving to cultivate a community in which art and business mutually support each other, A&BC operates by connecting arts and cultural organizations with working professionals. Its comprehensive programs, which are designed to bolster the functions of small-to-midsize creative nonprofits, involve management consulting, professional learning, and board member training and matching. With a cohort of more than 300 volunteers, A&BC works with client organizations in fields such as theater, music, visual arts, and dance.
Its comprehensive programs, which are designed to bolster the functions of small-to-midsize creative nonprofits, involve management consulting, professional learning, and board member training and matching.
Among the services offered by A&BC is the Business Volunteers for the Arts program, which recruits, trains, and matches experienced Chicagoans with local nonprofits in need of pro bono assistance on consulting projects. Featuring more longterm engagements, the On BOARD program trains individuals to become effective non-profit board members, and gives them placements with terms that last between two to three years. For arts and cultural leaders seeking greater knowledge of management practices, there are also learning labs that cover topics such as concept development, staffing, and marketing. If you're a business professional, consider volunteering your services.
For #4 we come to DIFFA Chicago, a grant-giving organization that uses art-related awareness and fundraising to advance the fight against HIV and AIDS. To help realize its vision, it hosts a wide breadth of events that draw upon the singular talents of designers, models, and sundry other creative individuals, with proceeds going to AIDS education and service groups across the country. The Foundation also awards annual grants to Chicago-area service providers that offer exceptional care, preventive education, and outreach.
One of the organization's significant fundraising events is Art for Life Chicago, a juried exhibition and auction that spotlights the work of fledgling and established creators. Also important are the annual Dining by Design and DIFFA Gala, plus many additional activities throughout the year that are steered by both design professionals and individuals from other industries. Uniting all these events is the understanding that creativity is a powerful agent of change, and that the arts community can play a critical role in building a future where HIV and AIDS are eradicated. Make a difference by donating an item to one of DIFFA's two yearly auctions.
Uniting all these events is the understanding that creativity is a powerful agent of change, and that the arts community can play a critical role in building a future where HIV and AIDS are eradicated.
Finally, landing at #5 is United States Artists. Fueled by a belief in the vital importance of artists to American society, this fundraising organization provides direct support to creators and cultural practitioners through generously sized, unrestricted monetary awards. Made to accommodate a spectrum of disciplines including film, theater, writing, and music, these awards honor creative individuals who contribute to the national arts ecosystem in noteworthy and impactful ways. Recipients are able to use the money as it best suits them, whether it's for developing their work, or for addressing personal and economic needs.
Comprising awards of $50,000, USA Fellowships are given annually to American artists at any career stage who are practicing in any discipline. The Berresford Prize, meanwhile, bestows $25,000 upon individuals whose work involves cultivating and enhancing the arts community, such as scholars, curators, and administrators. The organization nurtures long-lasting relationships with recipients through its Assembly program, an annual three-day convening that connects awardees to donors and civic partners. It also produces a yearly publication highlighting the diverse viewpoints of each year's winners. Support valuable creative contributions by sending a gift online.
