Art in Your Ward: Making it Work

All over Chicago, mutually beneficial relationships between artists, curators, aldermen, and chambers of commerce are being formed to address complimentary needs.  Artists are looking for alternative spaces to do installations; business owners have vacant storefronts.  Aldermen want to increase foot traffic to their main streets; artists need a place to perform.  But if we all need each other so much, why is it often difficult to make something happen?  Meet three aldermen, a chamber of commerce representative, and an independent curator who have found a way to make it work for artists in their neighborhoods.

Rey Colon (35th Ward Alderman), Vi Daley (43rd Ward Alderman), and Manny Flores (1st Ward Alderman) have each been proactive in encouraging artist participation in their respective wards.  Maureen Martino, executive director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, has sponsored innovative public art events, including 44/46.  Independent curator Jamielee Polson, as part of her Twelve Galleries project, works with property owners to let her curate exhibits that respond to their distinctly non-art venues.