September 15, 2017
Chicago Public Library Partners with ProjectArt to Inspire Chicago Kids to Create
Four branches are the first to host ProjectArt programs in Chicago
Chicago Public Library and ProjectArt founder Adarsh Alphons, along with lead sponsor Morton Salt, have officially launched a partnership offering a free arts program in four Chicago Public Library branches spread throughout the city. This celebratory event at CPL’s Little Village Branch marked the opening of ProjectArt Chicago as well as highlighted the launch of ProjectArt’s national expansion. The participating CPL locations include: Chicago Lawn, Little Village, Northtown, and Richard M. Daley branches.
“When you invest in the arts, you invest in the potential of a child,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “In the Year of Public Art, I am thrilled that organizations like ProjectArt are helping to inspire future artists across the City of Chicago.”
ProjectArt, an award winning youth arts education non-profit organization, brings in practicing artists who teach three free visual art classes per week reaching multiple age groups from 4-17 years old. The artists also utilize space in the library to develop their own artistic practice. The classes will provide children the chance to explore multiple art mediums through drawing, painting, printmaking, and making collages. The children will have numerous ways to tap into their artistic side and discover their creativity.
“We are excited about this partnership and honored that ProjectArt chose Chicago as the next city to expand its program in,” said Brian Bannon, Chicago Public Library Commissioner. “The core of our work is about access, and with this partnership we’ll be providing another opportunity to nurture creativity and learning for Chicago’s kids through innovative art classes.”
“The lack of arts education in America is a serious problem. I truly believe the arts can save lives, it provides a creative outlet that allows for total expression and vulnerability,” Adarsh Alphons, Founder of ProjectArt explained. “We are beyond excited to continue to promote change in arts education with ProjectArt Chicago and are thankful to our partner Morton Salt and the Chicago Public Library for helping us expand here.”
Morton Salt serves as the lead sponsor for ProjectArt Chicago. With the help of individual donors and corporate funders like Morton Salt, ProjectArt can continue its mission to culturally enrich the lives of America’s youth through art.
In Chicago alone, this program will continue to expand to additional CPL branches in order to reach a minimum of 1,260 students by 2021. By 2021, ProjectArt will be in 12 cities, reaching 226 libraries and making a difference in the lives of over 10,000 youth.
Families can learn more about how to sign up for ProjectArt classes at CPL herehttp://projectart.org/.
About Chicago Public Library
Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 80 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults. CPL received the Social Innovator Award from Chicago Innovation Awards; won a National Medal for Library Services from the Institute for Museum and Library Services; was named the first ever winner of the National Summer Learning Association’s Founder’s Award in recognition of its Summer Learning Challenge; and was ranked number one in the U.S., and third in the world by an international study of major urban libraries conducted by the Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf in Germany. For more information, please call (312) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org.
About ProjectArt
ProjectArt is a national arts education nonprofit organization whose purpose is to unleash the power of creativity in every child and change the way the world values arts education. We address the national arts education crisis in a highly innovative, collaborative, cost-effective and scalable way by using a unique public library-partnerships model to bring arts access directly to underserved youth. Starting in New York City communities with plans to expand nationally, ProjectArt provides a channel for youth to express their artistic visions, set goals, and display their art in celebrated art galleries and exhibition spaces – all at no cost to the students. In consultation with library branch managers and our partners, we identify locations with the greatest need, make site visits, hire teachers, build a curriculum, procure supplies, and hold year-round classes.
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