Arts of Life
Website
Organization Location
2010 W Carroll Ave Chicago, IL 60612
Description
Who We Are
Arts of Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded in January 2000, with a shared vision: to create a person-centric, working artistic community and provide a work environment of equality and inclusion in Chicago.
Started by founding artist Veronica Cuculich and two co-directors, Arts of Life was created into the organization it is today with 9 individuals with developmental disabilities. Our shared vision grew from a passion for artistic expression and a need for an alternative system.
For artists at Arts of Life, a career in the visual arts is an opportunity for meaningful employment. Each artist has their own studio space and works independently from individualized project plans or receives 1:1 visual arts facilitation to increase their artistic skill set. Artists earn a monthly stipend for participation in the program with eligibility to receive bonuses based on personal annual art sales.
Today, we have three professional art studios and represent over 60 artists with varying levels of physical and intellectual disabilities. Each studio is 6,000 square feet and includes a community gallery that is open to the public.
Our Mission
Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.
Our Values
Inspiring Artistic Expression: The Arts of Life model supports creative decision-making and experimentation, creating a safe place to take risks while promoting self-confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Building Community: Arts of Life is a collective of professional artists built upon a foundation of collaborative decision-making and mutual respect.
Promoting Self-Respect: Everyone at Arts of Life has both strengths and weaknesses. Within the community, we are fully accepted and encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Developing Independence: Our community members gain a sense of inner freedom through their creative practice and professional development, enabling us all to trust our own judgment and take personal and artistic risks.
Contact
Contact email - [email protected]
Phone - (312) 829-2787
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_arts_of_life
Upcoming events
- – (CDT)
- Town Hall Meeting
Past events
- through (EDT)
- Cordially Invited VIII
- through (CDT)
- Spirit Spirits
- through (EDT)
- Outside Forces 2024