The Arts Lawn

The Arts Lawn will provide equitable access to outdoor community-centered arts programs, including film screenings, live theater and performance, outdoor music, youth education, and arts marketplaces.

During the construction of the Arts Lawn, APL turned the fences around the perimeter into an outdoor gallery showcasing the work of two South Side artists, Rose Blouin and Edo, and the South Side Home Movie Project. Learn more here

photo by Anjali Pinto

photos by Natasha Moustache

video by Simeon Frierson taken during the final stages of Arts Lawn construction

The Grand Opening

The Arts Lawn grand opening on October 7, 2023 was truly electrifying. Arts + Public Life joyously welcomed over 1500+ community members to the vibrant Arts Lawn, igniting an explosive celebration of artistic greatness.

Thrilling performances by Kuumba Lynx and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School marching band showcased the greatness of the Pavilion.

Special shout out to DJ Camisoul, RTST, and Hameedullah from Miyagi Records for the best sounds for Vends + Vibes. Everyone’s smiles looked great in the Glitter Guts photo booth. We closed the night with the world premiere of the D-Composed short film ‘Alter Call.’

We invite you to connect with and support all the talented performers and vendors who generously shared their art with us. Join us and #supportsouthsideartists, as together, we continue to foster the flourishing arts community of the South Side.

Community Guidelines

The Arts Lawn is a shared space and a community arts venue. For The Arts Lawn to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, Arts + Public Life (APL), an initiative of UChicago Arts at the University of Chicago, asks that you follow these community guidelines:

Practice community care. Treat others with respect, kindness, and consideration. This is a shared space.
Help keep The Arts Lawn beautiful. Throw trash away in the designated bins and please clean after your pets.
For safety reasons, cooking, using personal grills of any size, and consuming alcohol or drugs is not allowed at The Arts Lawn.
Please be mindful of your noise level and our neighbors. The Arts Lawn is in a residential area.
Seasonal operating hours at The Arts Lawn are*:

April 1 – Oct 31: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm

November 1 – March 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

*Operating hours are subject to change during inclement weather.

If there is an emergency, please call 911.

ARTS LAWN FAQs

What is the Arts Lawn?

The Arts Lawn is a shared green space designed to host a various of community-centered arts programs including film screenings, live theater and performance, outdoor music, youth education, and arts marketplaces. It is located at 337 E. Garfield Boulevard.

Who is the Arts Lawn for?

The Arts Lawn will be an active green space for Washington Park designed to contribute to our neighborhood’s cultural and economic vibrancy with art activities programmed and managed by Arts + Public Life, an initiative of UChicago Arts at the University of Chicago.

When is the Arts Lawn opening?

The official grand opening will be October 7, 2023, from 2:00-7:00 pm.

What will be happening at the Arts Lawn?

Arts + Public Life will program numerous events on The Arts Lawn. Neighbors and visitors are invited to join us for arts and culture activations like APL’s popular Vends + Vibes arts marketplace and recurring Community Yoga and Committed Knitters meetups.

What are the Arts Lawn public hours?

April 1 - Oct 31: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
November 1 - March 31: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

*Operating hours are subject to change during inclement weather.

Is the Arts Lawn accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the Arts Lawn is accessible for people with disabilities.

Where can I find information about the Arts Lawn events?

Relevant updates and a calendar of ongoing events for The Arts Lawn can be found at artsandpubliclife.org/artslawn. Follow us on social media for updates as well.

Will the Arts Lawn have water fountains?

The Arts Lawn will not have public water fountains. We encourage you to bring your own water bottle.

Will the Arts Lawn have public restrooms?

The Arts Lawn does not have public restrooms. However, APL will provide bathrooms for the duration of any APL-hosted Arts Lawn programs.

Can I rent the Arts Lawn for an event?

In the first year of operation, we are not accepting rentals or submissions. Please stay tuned via our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@artsandpubliclife) to learn more about Arts + Public Life’s public programming.

What is permissible and what is not?

As a University of Chicago property, any use of The Arts Lawn is subject to the University of Chicago policies. For specifics on acceptable and prohibited conduct, please review the guidance for:

Can I bring a personal grill or cook at The Arts Lawn?

No. For safety reasons, cooking, using personal grills of any size, and consuming alcohol or drugs is not allowed at The Arts Lawn.

How can I get to the Arts Lawn?

We celebrate the proximity and access to The Arts Lawn through public or personal transportation. We invite you to use the following options to visit us.

From the Garfield Red Line Station

Take the CTA 55 Bus east 5 stops

From the Garfield Green Line Station

The Arts Lawn is located directly across the street. Take the crosswalk and it will be on your left.

From 90/94 E

Take exit 57 toward Garfield Blvd/5500 S

Turn left onto Garfield Blvd

Continue driving east for 0.7 miles

From Lake Shore Drive

Take the Oakwood Blvd exit from US-41 S

Take E Pershing Rd and S Martin Luther King Dr to E 55th Pl

Turn right onto E Oakwood Blvd

Continue onto E 39th St/E Pershing Rd

Turn left onto S Martin Luther King Dr

Slight right onto S King Dr/S Martin Luther King Dr

Turn right onto E 55th Pl

The Arts Lawn will be on your right

Where do I park my car?

There is free street parking on Garfield Blvd, 55th Place and South Prairie Avenue.