In 1970, a group of artists concerned with the relationship of art to society organized to form a mural-based cooperative called Chicago Mural Group. Later renamed the Chicago Public Art Group, artists expanded the organizations repertoire of public work to include mosaics, sculpture, landscape design, and sponsorship of workshops and symposiums. For over thirty years, CPAG has committed itself equally to community collaboration and artistic excellence.

The mission is to unite artists and communities in partnership to create high quality public art. CPAG projects draw on the past, reflect on issues of the present, and aim to reveal the need for a democratic, humane, and just future. CPAG reshapes urban space, creating new landmarks of beauty and spirit that strengthen community pride and identity in neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Artistic expression is sometimes perceived as an activity done by people with identified talent. To counter this stereotype, CPAG provides innovative access to the arts for individuals who may never have had the opportunity. CPAG is a multi-racial, inter-cultural, artist-run group, dedicated to art that builds community in the most diverse neighborhoods of Chicago.

Chicago Public Art Group Programs: - - New Schools: Integration of arts education with school curriculum to create large scale public art works that involve the entire school community. - - Community Places: Creation of public murals, mosaics, and sculptures developed in partnership with artists, community organizations, and neighborhood groups. - - Restore!: Significant, historic murals restored to their original beauty renewing their status as landmarks in the community. - - Special Projects: Community art projects created in conjunction with landscape designers, architects, urban planners, and others. - - Workshops: Training provided for artists, community groups and other planning professionals in the best-practice techniques of managing and creating community engaged, public art projects. -