Founded in 2011 and located in Chicago’s legendary Washington Park neighborhood, Arts + Public Life (APL) is a dynamic hub of exploration, expression, and exchange that fosters neighborhood vibrancy through the arts on the South Side of Chicago. This class gives students an opportunity to learn from APL’s embedded practice of supporting the arts and cultural history of the South Side of Chicago to learn how they might become responsible and responsive stewards of this work themselves. 

Each week students will be immersed into a different aspect of APL’s robust portfolio, all of which center relationships, community engagement, and cultural stewardship. Readings and visitors will provide background, inspiration, and know-how about APL’s cultural production processes and location in Washington Park. Students will engage with APL team members to refine their own project ideas throughout the quarter. Class will primarily take place in Arts + Public Life spaces on the Arts Block in the Washington Park neighborhood. Consent is required to enroll in this course. Interested students should email the instructor, Nootan Bharani, nbharani@uchicago.edu, to briefly explain their interest, however no previous experience is necessary.