Are you a talented maker, artist, and/or creative entrepreneur with a passion for sharing your unique creations? Applications are now open for the annual Vends + Vibes Arts Marketplace! Apply now to be part of a cherished South Side tradition that brings community together and puts your work in front of the right audience. This is your chance to expand your customer base, connect with a legacy of South Side creativity, and showcase what makes your craft undeniable
We are thrilled to announce the 2025 cohort of the Chicago Critic’s Table: Felicia Holman, Cortlyn Kelly, Maira Khwaja, Yasmin Zacaria Mikhaiel, Bri Robinson, Nekita Thomas, and Jen Torwudzo-Strohan.
Critic’s Table is an eight-month paid incubator program designed to cultivate emerging voices in cultural criticism. The program provides a unique opportunity for participants to deepen their critical practice, build a supportive network, and engage with Chicago’s vibrant arts and culture scene.
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Launched in 2011, Arts + Public Life (APL), an initiative of UChicago Arts at the University of Chicago, has been providing residencies for local artists and creative entrepreneurs, arts education for youth, and artist-led programming and exhibitions. We believe our greatest achievements are our relationships, and we want to thank you for a decade marked by meaningful exchange and ambitious cultural production.
Events and Programs
Make Your Reservation Today!
Check out the new APL event calendar to learn more about upcoming exhibitions, events, and programs at APL’s venues on the Arts Block, including the Arts Incubator, Green Line Performing Arts Center, L1 Retail Store, and the Arts Lawn.
All of our venues, Arts Incubator, Green Line Performing Arts Center, L1 Retail Store, and Arts Lawn, are wheelchair accessible. If you need additional accommodation in order to participate in our programs, you can include a note when you RSVP or contact us for assistance at artsandpubliclife@uchicago.edu.
Arts + Public Life events are free and open to the public.
A Dynamic Hub of Exploration, Expression, and Exchange
Arts + Public Life fosters neighborhood vibrancy through the arts on the South Side of Chicago.
Artist Residencies
Arts Education
Exhibitions
Creative Entrepreneurship
Programs + Events
Cultural Stewardship
We can’t wait to see you on the Arts Block
A creative corridor in the heart of Washington Park, the Arts Block is a vibrant collection of cultural and commercial spaces on historic Garfield Boulevard. The Arts Incubator, Green Line Performing Arts Center, L1 Retail Store, and Arts Lawn are operated and managed by Arts + Public Life.
The Arts Lawn
335-347 E. Garfield Boulevard
Green Line Performing Arts Center
329 E Garfield Boulevard
L1 Creative Business Accelerator + Retail Store
319 E Garfield Boulevard
Arts Incubator
301 E Garfield Boulevard
SUPPORT SOUTH SIDE ARTISTS
Arts + Public Life (APL) thrives thanks to supporters who help foster the vibrant creativity happening every day on the Arts Block. Learn more about how you can be a part of sustaining a rich ecosystem of South Side artists, youth, and entrepreneurs.