In Spring 2025, eight UChicago students participated in a unique APL course, gaining firsthand experience in our dynamic work. They immersed themselves in how the arts foster neighborhood vibrancy, with a strong focus on relationship building, community engagement, and cultural stewardship. Discover the impactful learning journey of these students below.
Arts + Public Life: Relationships, Engagement and Cultural Stewardship on Chicago’s South Side
CHST 20500 Chicago Studies, Spring 2025
Cross-listed: ARTH 20500, ARTV 20707, RDIN 20501
Fridays on the Arts Block: 9:30am - 12:20pm
Founded in 2011 and situated in Chicago's legendary Washington Park neighborhood, Arts + Public Life (APL) serves as a dynamic hub for exploration, expression, and exchange. We foster neighborhood vibrancy through the arts on the South Side of Chicago.
In Spring 2025, our APL course offered students an invaluable opportunity. They learned directly from APL's embedded practice of supporting the South Side's rich arts and cultural history, exploring how they could become responsible and responsive stewards of this vital work.
Each week, students were immersed in a different facet of APL's comprehensive portfolio, with a consistent focus on relationships, community engagement, and cultural stewardship. Readings and guest speakers provided essential background, inspiration, and practical knowledge about APL’s cultural production processes and its deep connection to Washington Park. Throughout the quarter, students engaged with APL team members to refine their own project ideas.
Guest Speakers
Students have learned directly from the APL team and guests seasoned in cultural production and arts administration.
Photos on this page by Jovan Landry, Sara Pooley and Nootan Bharani
Reading List
Student Projects
As a culminating experience, students applied their newfound knowledge to develop comprehensive proposals for cultural programs or productions, showcasing their understanding of APL's embedded practices and their visions for the arts in their communities. Discover the impactful proposals below:
