PROGRAMS + EVENTS
APL welcomes audiences to participate in free programs, events, workshops, and performances that showcase South Side artists. We host, collaborate, and produce public programs with artistic communities that reflect the cultural vibrancy of the South Side.
ABOUT
Arts + Public Life has partnered with an extensive network of artists and art organizations over the past decade to welcome a mass audience of visitors to our year-round free public events since the opening of APL’s first home—the Arts Incubator in 2013.
Our programs range from live music performances and film screenings to artist talks, game nights, family yoga, storytelling showcases, and maker workshops.
Happening in 2025…
First Monday Jazz on the Arts Lawn
This summer, we’ll bring back our beloved First Monday Jazz to the Arts Lawn featuring Big Band Summer.
Summer on the Arts Lawn
Arts + Public Life invites you to spend another summer with us on the Arts Lawn—where community, creativity, and good vibes grow strong. This summer, prepare to be captivated by a lineup of programs that builds upon the energy and excitement of our first two years on the Lawn. Whether it’s live jazz with legendary big bands, the creative designs of South Side makers, the peace of sunset yoga or the simple pleasure of an outdoor film screening on a warm summer night, the Arts Lawn offers programs designed to inspire, connect, and showcase the rich artistic tapestry of Chicago’s South Side.
Arts + Public Life Programming Highlights Include:
First Monday Jazz
Launched in 2013, the First Monday Jazz series is APL’s longest-running program, and has featured both established and emerging Chicago artists on the first Monday of every month on the Arts Block, including Dee Alexander, Junius Paul, Yaw Agyeman, Sam Trump, and Avery R. young & de deacon board, Bomba con Buya, Ugochi, and many many more. To celebrate the five year milestone of First Monday Jazz in 2019, Arts + Public Life partnered with the Jazz Institute of Chicago to dedicate an entire year of its First Monday Jazz programming to women artists and women-led musical projects and programs.
Rear View Mirror Sessions
Since 2017, the Quintessential Listening and Lecture Series led by music historian and DJ Duane Powell has taken audiences on a journey through the lives of musical legends and heroes, from The Isley Brothers, Gladys Knight and Nina Simone, to Chaka Khan, Sly and the Family Stone, and Rick James. Each session features a special guest musical performer drawn from Chicago's own rich talent and audience participation is always encouraged.
Arts + Public Life, in partnership with Soundrotation, Brain Trust Management, the UChicago Department of Music and Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, presents the 2025 Rear View Mirror Sessions. The 2025 season, "In Memoriam," is a tribute to legends we've recently lost. We continue this fall with a celebration of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. We lost Roberta’s defining voice in February of this year. October will mark her frequent collaborator Donny's would-be 80th birthday.
Keyholder Programs
Arts + Public Life’s Keyholder program is a partnership with local mission-aligned organizations, collectives, or creative groups seeking consistent access to space for meetings, workshops or public programs. Through this program, APL offers no-cost use of its managed facilities on the Arts Block to selected Keyholders to carry out their work without requiring staffing or production support.
This program facilitates greater civic engagement and cultural activity within the community. Keyholder contracts are reviewed and renewed annually. For detailed information and to apply, contact
Keyholder contracts are renewed annually. For detailed information and to apply, contact artsandpubliclife@uchicago.edu
Committed Knitters
Committed Knitters is a volunteer-based group that goes to Cook County Jail every Sunday for a few hours to teach knitting and crocheting to the women serving their time. As a long-standing Arts + Public Life keyholder partner, they meet bi- weekly on Wednesdays at the Arts Incubator Flex Space to build a sense of community through knitting, crocheting, the sharing of stories and pleasant bites, along with birthday celebrations complete with singing and impromptu dancing.
Interested in collaborating with Arts + Public Life to present meaningful work to the Washington Park and surrounding South Side communities?
Use the form to submit your inquiry!