The South Chicago Art Center is becoming

The South Chicago Art Center is becoming...
realizing limitless potential through the arts
2015
PAGE 1
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
LETTER FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Friend,
So after 14 years why change our name? Because
this is the perfect time to change old ideas about
who we are, and what we do. The old name South Chicago Art Center - didn’t say out loud
who we are, where we’re headed, or where our
energy is. SkyART speaks to our future. Our old
name prompted questions about our location and
services, but didn’t do our impact justice. While
we proudly champion the visual arts and the
neighborhood we call home, SkyART is more than
a name or a neighborhood. It is about the limitless
potential of the arts to go beyond any place,
person, or address. Everyone is welcome and the
sky is the limit
ABOUT US
The mission of SkyART is to provide youth with an
accessible, safe place to participate in quality visual
arts programs.
In pursuing this mission, SkyART is guided by three
core values:
YOUTH ENRICHMENT: SkyART fosters
leadership development by providing a safe haven
for youth to expand their artistic talents, build
meaningful relationships, and grow into resilient
and responsible civic-minded citizens.
STAFF
Sarah Ward, Executive Director
Sarah, founder and fearless leader, oversees all
strategic planning, fundraising efforts, and board
recruitment.
Tasha Robinson, Program Director
Tasha oversees all programs (in and out of school)
as well as Teaching Artist development.
Laura P. Trejo, Operations Manager
Laura oversees operations, volunteer and internship
programs, and marketing efforts.
Anthony Steele, Studio Coordinator
Anthony, our resident artist, provides artistic
instruction and support to students of all ages.
Billy McGuinness, Development Manager
Billy serves as touch point for the board, oversees
events, and manages development efforts.
Mary Murphy, Development Specialist
Mary, the resident wordsmith, provides narratives
for grants and marketing.
CREATIVITY: SkyART uses the visual arts as
an instrument for self-expression and a tool to
empower youth to engage in creative critical
thinking.
This photo shows what can happen with determination and conviction. Kat, Anthony, Ashly and Illyis
represent the many, many lives the Art Center has transformed over the past 15 years. All of them
started with us back in 2001, all of them still participate in the Art Center, and all are pursuing dreams
they didn’t know existed before they came to the Art Center. That is what the photo is about; dreams
becoming a reality. It is what drives me to affect more change in more kids’ lives, to witness more
triumphs, and to unlock more porential. Who could have ever imagined the successful work we are now
doing every day with thousands of kids, when we first opened our doors all those years ago?
The studio is our heart, the place where we proudly
hang our ‘open’ sign every day. From the cozy
800 sq ft space that changed so many lives, to the
6,000 sq ft building that we are about to move into.
What amazing potential! The numbers might tell
us how many more lives will be changed, but that’s
just math. The real measure will be the number
of photos, like this, that will fill our future. I know
there will be more than we could ever hope for.
When I think of that, I feel like the Grinch at the end
of the film who cried, “I had no idea how big my
heart could get.” Thank you all for every moment
that deserves its own photo and for all the perfect
picture moments yet to come!
Truly yours,
Left to Right: Kat, Anthony, Sarah, Ashly, Illyis
ACCESSIBILITY: SkyART believes in an open-door
philosophy that encourages all community youth
to participate.
Our summer 2015 interns.
PAGE 2
This photo was taken just a couple of weeks ago, but in truth it was 15 years in the making. More than
a moment when five old friends got together, it perfectly captures the hopes and dreams that inspired
me when I first came to South Chicago in 2001. I wanted to be a stabilizing presence in kids’ lives and a
reliable force in a neighborhood that had so little for kids to depend on. In all, 98% of our kids fall below
the poverty line, many move homes as often as twice a year, and local teacher attrition rates are over
42%. Dependability, stability and consistency are too often the exception for our kids, but these factors
are essential to success in life. Safety, security, love, respect, intellectual stimulation, and creativity is what
we have been providing on a daily basis since 2001.
Sarah Ward, MA, ATR
PAGE 3
2014 - 2015 PROGRAM
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2436
youth served
278
adults served
OUR FORMER STUDENTS
SHARE THEIR MEMORIES
Each year, SkyART touches the lives of thousands of youth
and their families by providing access to quality visual arts
programming. This programming takes place at our main studio
space, in schools, and through partnerships with local libraries,
park districts, and other community based organizations.
STREET SMARTS
800 youth served
111 programs
16 locations including our main studio space
746 instruction hours
SCHOOL SMARTS
1636 youth served
93 school programs
26 schools
1680 instruction hours
YOUTH & NEIGHBORHOOD DEMOGRAPHICS
1%
45%
Black
Other
Hispanic
White
PAGE 4
2%
52%
65%
% of youth served who
DO NOT HAVE access to
VISUAL ART instruction
in their SCHOOL
% of youth who
demonstrate
IMPROVEMENT in
ACADEMIC KNOWLEDGE
as a result of the
program
86%
92%
% of youth served who
are LOW INCOME
KATARINA
OTERO
ANTHONY
STEELE
ALANNA
GARTH
Teaching Artist
SkyART Studio Coordinator
Teaching Artist
“Its hard to pick, I have so many
memories from the Art Center.
I guess one of them would
have to be this one time I was
in the basement with Anthony,
Ashly and Mark. We were all
working in the basement on
artwork that was going to be
included in that year’s ‘I Heart
Art’ show. There was nothing
extraordinary about it, I just
remember being really happy
surrounded by cool people and
being able to just make art.”
“I remember going to New
York in 2008 with Sarah and
some other students. We got
to see a lot of New York, from
a movie set to a boat ride, to a
bunch of museums. Sarah was
worried that we didn’t want
to see the art, but that’s what
I remember the most. There
was this one artist that we
saw, Kehinde Wiley - his work
had really vibrant colors in his
really huge paintings. I still
remember those all the time.”
“The bond I have with Sarah
is more than I could ever
ask for. Walking into the Art
Center as a kid, she was more
than just a teacher, she was
a friend, mentor, mother, and
a true lifesaver. She gave me
my first job, she was there
when I needed help for prom,
she helped me with my baby
shower, and so much more.
Sarah has made a huge impact
on my life. I love her so much.”
PAGE 5
THROUGH THE YEARS
2001
On September 11, the first classes began. The Art Center
was open two days a week and started with 18 students.
In December, we hosted our 1st Annual Open House.
2002
Responding to the needs of the community, we
expanded our schedule and opened our doors five days
a week, and started teaching at two local schools that we
continue to work with today, JN Thorp and Our Lady of
Guadalupe.
2003
The Art Center started the Artists Garden, a community
garden on four city lots, strengthening our ties to the
neighborhood. The Art Center became independent of
our fiscal sponsor and acquired our own 501(c)3.
2004
The Art Center worked on its first commissioned mural
for Royal Savings Bank.
2005
The Art Center started a paid internship program for
teens, giving neighborhood high school students their
first job opportunities.
2006
The Art Center took a group of 6 teens to NYC, visiting
cultural institutions and having their portfolios reviewed
at the School of Visual Arts. Four of them participated in
the first classes in 2001.
2007
The beauty of the Artists Garden, garnered the Art
Center 1st Place in Mayor Daley Landscape Awards.
2008
Sarah won the Susan Berkowitz award for her dedication
to working with underserved youth. The Art Center made
another trip to NYC, this time with 12 students that had
their portfolios reviewed at Parsons School of Design.
PAGE 6
2009
The Art Center had its first Annual ‘Heart Art’
fundraiser in the Pilsen neighborhood.
2010
The Art Center received a grant from the Field
Foundation of Illinois to serve every grade of Gallistel
Elementary, one of the biggest elementary schools in
South Chicago, where we continue to serve today.
2011
The Art Center’s Board engaged in Strategic Planning and
decided to move forward with expanding to a new facility
in the South Chicago neighborhood.
2012
Anthony Steele, a long time participant who started
attending the Art Center in 2001, was hired as the Studio
Coordinator. The 343 Guns exhibit, presented at the
annual ‘I Heart Art’ fundraiser, was highlighted in the
news.
2013
After a special grant from Pearl Jam and the Cubs,
Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, and Cubs owner Theo Epstein
visited the Art Center. The 87 Bullets show received
national attention, highlighting the number of people
killed each day in the US with collaboration with the
University of Dayton in Ohio. The Art Center launched
its college readiness program at 2 local high schools.
2014
Gears were set into motion for the expansion of the
Art Center, with the purchase of a new building, and
the development of a new branding identity. The Art
Center started to have classes specifically for the young
adult segment (ages 14-24). In conjunction with the
young adult program, we launched the Young Adult Art
Advocate (YA3) group.
2015
The Art Center started hosting community artmaking
workshops in preparation for the SkyART opening. Sarah
was awarded the Norm Bobbins Leadership Award.
SkyART opens its doors on October 13th.
PAGE 7
WHAT COMES NEXT...
WHEN IS A BUILDING NOT JUST A BUILDING?
When it’s a tangible and exciting commitment to the community and all who call South Chicago home.
The SkyART facility is a 6,000 sq ft building just down the street from the current location.
This new space will be more visible and more accessible to neighborhood residents. It is directly off the
main commercial area, more accessible, closer to partnering agencies, and located in a neutral gang
territory and established safe zone. The interior design will provide multiple studios to accommodate
groups of varying sizes, age-specific programming, advanced level classes (such as portfolio development
for college-bound high school students) and a gallery space.
The Art Center is committed to transforming this neglected space into a neighborhood treasure.
For 14 years, the Art Center has been a fixture on 91st Street, a place where young people have come
to explore their creative selves, make new friends and be respected. But we’ve grown — really gown. And
what was once a dream is now a reality as our team of dedicated architects, contractors and craftsmen
put the final touches on SkyART — our new building, our new name, and our future.
Special thanks to
Landon Bone Baker
Architects, BCM
and Brinshore
Development LLC
for their dedication
to our future. Their
generously donated
services have made
it possible for us to
have this amazing
new space.
With five separate studios and our “open” sign hanging six days a week, we will be able to serve as many
as 1,000 people annually — both elementary and high school students, community members and adults
— in one time workshops and introductory, advanced level and registration-only classes. Also, just like in
the old studio, there will always be a space that is a drop-in studio for young people who just want a safe
space to explore the visual arts.
Most importantly, SkyART is a way of saying out loud to the community that young voices matter, that
futures matter, and that neighborhoods matter.
OUR NEW HOME...
OUR SPACE WILL INCLUDE:
November 2014
-1 drop-in studio
-1 ceramic studio
-1 young adult studio
-1 additional studio
April 2015
-1 computer lab
-1 gallery space
-3 office spaces
“It is a cozy little home where you feel the love
reaching out from the walls, but sometimes a family
outgrows a home. Even one that has provided many
wonderful memories.”
— John Hass, supporter
PAGE 8
-1 kitchen
August 2015
-and if you haven’t visited us, two
bathrooms!
PAGE 9
SUPPORTERS
July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015
The following is a list of all of the individuals, government agencies, foundations and corporations that have supported us through the 2015 fiscal
year. If you notice any errors or if there is information that we missed, please contact us at development@skyart.org to let us know!
*Denotes a contribution to our Campaign for Limitless Potential, with pledge dates for multi-year gifts.
$250,000+
Rebecca Korach
Roberta & Samuel Kramer
Irving Harris Foundation* (2014)
Brandt Kucharski
Penny & John Lane
$100,000+
Amy Lehman (in honor of Becca
Mary Frances Budig & John Hass*
Schanberg)
(2014)
Jennifer Levine
Caerus Foundation, Inc.*
Jeanne & David Lubek
Chicago Department of Planning &
Jennifer Lynch
Development*
Kevin P. Maloney
$100+
Becca Schanberg & Jack Polsky*
Kathleen Markoff
Jean Albano Gallery
(2014)
Carmen Marti
Chris
Alger
State of Illinois, Office of
Michael McGarry
Rudy Aronoff
Representative Barbara Flynn
Beth & Brian McGovern
$2,500+
Esther
Barron
Currie*
Mimi McKay
Chrysti & David Eigenberg*
Marina Birch
Colin McMahon
Lindsay Goldfarb* (2015)
Jeff Bone
$50,000+
GrubHub, Inc.
Law Offices of Adam E. Bossov P.C. Peggy & Luis Mejias
John R. Houlsby Foundation*
Dita Merkel
Cynthia Heusing & David
Roman Bujdei
Cassandra Miller
Kistenbroker
Robert Burns
Andrew & Nancy Mills
$25,000+
Jackson National Community Fund Suellen Burns & Weston Morris
Janice Mitchell
Bloomberg Philanthropies* (2015) Peoples Gas
Cage Memorial Chapel
Lucy Moog
The Chicago Community Trust
Pierce Family Charitable
Sally Callander
Andrew Mooney
City of Chicago Department of
Foundation (contribution of Laura Jim Carey
Kathy Morsbach (in memory of
Family & Support Services (DFSS)
Jansen)
Chicago Conservation Center Inc.
Hans Morsbach)
Joyce Foundation
Susan & Charc Ward
Erin & Ambrose Cohen
Brooke
Mower
Local Initiative Support Corporation Mollie Ward & John Lavercombe*
Caitlin Devitt & Matt Robinson
Mary Murphy
(LISC)
(2014)
Amina Dickerson
Kate Neisser
Meyer Family* (Harriet Horwitz
Mark & Casey White
Bonnie Dinell-Dimond & Nicolas
Anne Parker
Meyer & Ulrich Meyer, Nicola &
Dimond
Sally & Tom Patterson
Adam Orlov) (2014)
Laura
Donnelly
$1,000+
Liz Plowman
Polk Bros. Foundation
Donna Drinan & Tom Underwood
Wendy Abrams (in honor of
Joann Podkul & Kevin Murphy
Chris
Dubose
Hannah Higgins & Joe Reinstein)
Susan Prather
Becky & Brian Dykhuis
$10,000+
Kathy Buck & Kevin Preloger
Elizabeth Reyez (in memory of June
Jennifer
Eggener
Alphawood Foundation
Linda Center
Reyes)
Eileen T. Figel
Anonymous
John W. & Clara C. Higgins
Jonathan & Wendy Rose
Steve
Friedland
Anonymous
Foundation
Isaac Ryan
Joanie & James Gardner
Arts Work Fund for Organizational Hannah Higgins & Joe Reinstein
Rich Ryan
Development
William Huch Fund (in honor of Bill William Gerstein
Nancy Sampson & Stan Sampson
Caroline
Girgis
Helen Brach Foundation
Huch)
Nielsen
Hilary Gould
Crown Family Philanthropies
Lucy’s Children’s Fund
Alicia Sams
Laura
Hager
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Barb Markoff-Eggener & Scott
Donna Schatt
Derek Hall
Mazza Foundation
Eggener
Amy & Rick Schechren
Stacie
Hartman
(in
honor
of
Esther
Chauncey and Marion Deering
Jill & Paul Meister Charitable Fund
Maggie & Eric Scheyer (in honor of
Barron)
McCormick Foundation
Novack & Macey
Joe Reinstein)
Marilyn
Helmholz
(in
honor
of
Kate
National Endowment for the Arts
Jeanne Rogers
Ronnie
& Alan Schwartz (in honor
Levy)
Earl and Brenda Shapiro
Ann & Christopher Ward
of Lindsay Goldfarb)
Karen
&
Bill
Hollenbeck
(in
memory
Foundation (Matthew Shapiro)
Elizabeth Sciortino
of Wally McGovern)
ServiceMaster Restoration by
$500+
Jodi Hruska
$5,000+
Simons
Deanna Abner
Charles & Caroline Huebner (in
After School Matters (ASM)
Laurie
& Richard Siegel
Heiji Choy Black
honor of Roberta Kramer)
Castlelake L.P.
Roberta Siegel
Scott Hughes
Morgan Hughes
Chicago Bulls Charities
Claire & David Smith (in honor of
Susie & Chris Hultquist
Daniel Imhoff
City of Chicago Department of
Susan & Charc Ward)
Jennifer & Eugene Marlowe
Kristen Jacobson
Cultural
Juliet
Sorensen & Ben Jones
Kathy Saines
Bradley Kahley
Affairs & Special Events (DCASE) Jackie Samuel
Constance Spreen
Cynthia & Thomas Kelleher
PAGE 10
Claretian Social Development Fund
Theaster Gates*
The PrivateBank (Norman Bobins
Leadership Award)
REAM Foundation
Dr. Scholl Foundation
Seabury Foundation
Brenda Shapiro (in honor of
Lindsay Goldfarb)
South Chicago Chamber of
Commerce*
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Kohl Feinerman Family Charitable
Trust
Kay & Dave Peterson (in honor of
Sarah Ward)
Cheryl Rudbeck
Anne & Tony Ruzicka
Steel City Furniture (in memory of
Shirley Dinell)
Thea Stranger
Ginny Stringer (in honor of Sarah
Ward)
Susanne Suffredin
Carrie & Eric Sussman
Susana Vasquez
Philip Verhoef
Veronica Votypka
Peter Ward
James Scully Watts
Christine Tressel Webb
Anita & Theodore Wells
Megan Wells
Jacquelyn White
Siobhan & Kevin White
Carolyn Winick
Up to $99
Andrea & Daniel Alpert
Paul Ansell
Christina Bader
Kristin Barrett
Jana Belsky & Thomas Trauger (in
honor of Hallie Trauger)
Elliot Bergman
Julia Bonucchi
Michelle Boone
Laura Botwinick
Mike Braun
Penny Brown (in honor of Felicia
Shallow Davis’ Birthday)
Phil Buoscio
Deborah Burrell
Andrea Cavedo
Chen Cheng
Justine Chiou
Derric Clemmons
Howard Cohn
Cindy & Stephen Cruise
Greg Dezulskis
Courtney Eber
Ellen Edwards
Susan & Richard Eggener
Erica Emmendorfer
John Endicott
Alison Garber
Rebecca Garber
Salazar Gerardo
Christine Ginger
Lisa & Phil Goldfarb (in honor of
Lindsay Goldfarb)
Susan & Bruce Gottschall
Lourdes Guerrero
Lashunda D. Hall
Lucy Hall
Tracie Hall
Andrew Hammond
Maya Hanna (in honor of Susanna
Short (SPA)
Ellen Havdala
Chris Hill
Angela & Peter Hurlock
Kunal Jain
Mike Johnston
Kathy Kelleher (in honor of Maria
Rudisch)
Teresa Kilbane
Ariana Klitzner
Tom Knight
La Causa Community Committee
Peter Landon
Scott Laslie
Joan & Pete Litt
Nasutsa Mabwa
Eric Macey
Cynthia Mack
Marilyn McArthur
Alisa McQueen
India McQuoid
Fernando Meier
Rick Meyer
Rachel Davis Mersey (in honor of
Roberta Kramer)
Andrew Morua
Rafat Motan
Siobhan Mulligan
Anita Nagler
Locadio Otero
Robin Paul
Thomas Pavelec
Monica Peek
Troy Pendergrass
Barbara Perry
Katherine Polk
Robert Prorak
Susana Razo
Greg Reda
Kathryn Robertson
Mattie & Anthony Robinson
Tasha Robinson
Claudia Rodriguez
Anita Rosenberg
Nicolette Ross
Barry Rozenberg
Claudia Rozenberg
Jennifer Sancya
Jack Scafide
Julia Sheesich
Carolyn Shields
Kelley Shields
Alison Siegler
Angela Sims
Leah Smith
Tiffiney Smith
Elizabeth Sommerschield
Michele Suffredin
Cynthia (Frema) Sutton
AJ Taylor-Vanderpool
Laura P. Trejo
Stephen Valentine
Maria & Roman Villarreal
Mary Ward Center
Cynthia West & John Podmajersky
Michael Wircko
Amy Woodruff
Einav Zohar (on behalf of Rachel
Marro)
In-Kind Contributions
The following donors have
contributed goods or services.
1st Choice Market
Anonymous
Ana Maria Arévalo
Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen
BCM, LLC*
Brinshore Development, LLC*
Mary Frances Budig & John Hass
Commercial Food & Liquor
Carolyn Elaine
Steve Friedland
Steve Gustafson
Dominique Jimerson
JNL Graphic Design*
La Alteña
La Jerezana
Landon Bone Baker Architects*
Barb Markoff-Eggener
Subway
B. Porter
Paleteria El Potrillo
Becca Schanberg & Jack Polsky
D&O Food & Liquor
Susanne Suffredin
Supermercado El Güero
Rhonda Turner
Cynthia West & John Podmajersky
Cintia Woods
Walgreens
STAY INVOLVED
I
Art Annual Fundraiser
We are hosting our annual I
Art
fundraiser on 10/8/15, to
celebrate the work of the past
year with all of our supporters.
This annual fundraiser, held
during Chicago Artists Month,
provides an opportunity to
showcase works of art from the Art
Center’s young artists.
Follow the link below to buy your tickets online.
http://tinyurl.com/qagytyu
Sign-up for our e-Newsletter
Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletters and
stay up-to-date on our upcoming move, program
changes, volunteer opportunities, and to see the
amazing artwork made by our youth!
Use the QR code to the
left, the link below or email
laura@skyart.org to sign
up.
http://eepurl.com/rzAHj
PAGE 11
Please note our new address!
3026 E. 91st Street
Chicago, IL 60617
www.skyart.org
PAGE 12
773.731.9287 OFFICE
773.734.2176 FAX