- Hyde Park Art Center

In 2018, the Art Center Board initiated the $16 million ART MAKES: COMMUNITY + CHANGE campaign, the largest in our 82-year history, to shift to an open-tuition education model, establish an endowment, and invest in artists and access to arts education for years to come.

We are thrilled to announce that we have raised $17.1 million! Thank you to all of our donors (many listed below) and the enormously generous community who stepped up to help us exceed our goal.

Starting in Spring 2022, Hyde Park Art Center’s Oakman Clinton School and Studios will shift to an open-tuition model in our core curriculum education programs, making it the nation’s first contribute-what-you-can visual art school for all ages. This radical move culminates Hyde Park Art Center’s ambitious five-year strategic plan dedicated to ensuring more equitable access to artmaking, education, and community engagement for years to come.

INITIATIVES:

Opening Access to Arts Education

Oakman Clinton School + Studios

Launch the nation’s first multi-generational open-tuition art school; transition core curriculum from a tuition-based model to contribute-what-you-can

Pathways K-8

Deliver broader access to visual arts for 800 K–8 students in neighboring communities—Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn

Teen Programs

Support 150 teen and young adult artists through arts and professional training

Public Programs

Engage the community through a series of artist talks, exhibition openings, free artmaking workshops, and other creative events

Investing in Artists

Teaching Artist Development

Additional resources and trainings for the development of studio work and pedagogical practice for 50 faculty members

Professional Development for Artists

Opportunities for artists growing their careers, both inside the building and beyond, through valuable mentorship and exhibition programs such as the Center and Bridge programs

Jackman Goldwasser Residency

Provide local artists access to long-term, rent- free studio space; and international artists the opportunity to live and work in Chicago

Investing in New Work

Support artists and the creation of ambitious new work to ensure artists, particularly artists of color and women, can mount career-changing exhibitions

Join us!

Donate

Hyde Park Art Center’s community has already stepped up with enthusiasm and generosity. Will you join us to ensure that everyone has access to the visual arts?

Total raised so far: $17.1 million + counting!

Donate

PRESS COVERAGE:

WGN9: Hyde Park Art Center expands reach with ‘pay-as-you-can’ model

Crain's Chicago Business: Big names fund Hyde Park Art Center's new direction

Chicago Tribune: Art Center moves to 'pay what you can' for its classes

Block Club Chicago: Tuition-Free Classes In Painting, Photography And More Coming To Hyde Park Art Center

Hyde Park Herald: Hyde Park Art Center's core programs to adopt tuition-free model

WTTW Chicago Tonight: Hyde Park Art Center Launches ‘Pay as You Can’ Model

Chicago Gallery News: Hyde Park Art Center to Become Nation's First Tuition-Free Art School

Chicago Crusader: HYDE PARK ART CENTER TO BECOME NATION’S FIRST TUITION-FREE ART SCHOOL

LEADERSHIP:

Campaign Co-chairs:

Cynthia Heusing
Walter + Shirley Massey
Richard Wright

Campaign Cabinet:

Gwen Callans
Erika Dudley
Katherine Groninger
Julie Guida
Paul Ingersoll
Justine Jentes
Janis Kanter
Sundeep Mullangi
Carol Rubin
Biff Ruttenberg

THANK YOU TO OUR CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS TO DATE*:

Creative Leaders

Builders Initiative
The Clinton Family Fund in loving memory of Burton Kanter
Julie + John Guida, The Guida Family Foundation
Sacks Family Foundation

Grand Benefactors

David C. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation
Carol Duncan, in memory of her sister Ina Walker
Kanter Family Foundation

Benefactors

Abakanowicz Arts and Culture Charitable Foundation
Anonymous
Joan + Bob Feitler
Cynthia Heusing + David Kistenbroker
Justine Jentes + Daniel Kuruna and the Jentes Family Foundation
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The Joyce Foundation
Reva and David Logan Foundation
Richard Wright + Valerie Carberry

Patrons

Acclivus, Inc.
Allstate Insurance Company
Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
Tim Brown + Jill Riddell
Comer Family Foundation
The Conant Family
Crown Family Philanthropies
Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation
DEW Foundation
Denise + Gary Gardner
Theaster Gates
Dedrea + Paul Gray
Katherine Groninger + Molly Meyer
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Jackson ® + PPM America
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Walter + Shirley Massey
Sundeep Mullangi + Trissa Babrowski
National Endowment for the Arts
Michael + Sandra Perlow
Polk Bros. Foundation
Robert + Kathy Sullivan
Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation

Sustainers

Alphawood Foundation
Anonymous
Hebru Brantley
The Chicago Community Trust
City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Helyn Goldenberg + Michael Alper
Harper Court Arts Council
Deone Jackman
Jill + Michael B. Lowe
Sonya Malunda + E. Charles Lampley
Lauren Moltz + John Clement
Mirja Spooner
Kim + Jim Taylor
Terra Foundation for American Art