Despite critical progress made in the last decade, South Chicago remains a tough place for a kid to live. The neighborhood still suffers from unemployment, poverty, crime, gang activity, vacant lots and substandard housing, most acutely in the Millgate area, where the Art Center is located. The community is overwhelmingly poor. The average income of neighborhood residents, according to the most recent U.S. Census report, is $12,000, and the average number of children per household tops five. More than 95 percent of the children attending the local elementary school are eligible for free or subsidized lunch. Within the perimeter of Millgate, before the Art Center opened, there were no after-school programming for children 13 years and older. Fee-based programs are not an option for these families. In collaboration with other local nonprofits, Claretian Associates, a community organization, began a number of program initiatives, one of which was to establish the South Chicago Art Center in the summer of 2001 under the directorship of Sarah Ward, a licensed art therapist. In July 2004, during its fourth year of operation and a year of considerable growth the Art Center established itself as an independent nonprofit corporation. Now in its seventh year of operation, the Art Center runs a five-day-a-week after-school visual arts program; an in-school program in local elementary and high schools; and an urban farm where kids and other community members come together to create beauty by landscaping, planting and growing. At least once a month our kids explore the city in our Cultural Field Trip program. The Center also started an internship program for teenagers in the neighborhood, and it has been truly gratifying to watch the teens inspire and teach our younger participants.

The South Chicago Art Center's mission is to provide a safe place for children after school; to bring arts education to local impoverished schools; to stimulate the imaginations of participants of all ages; to cultivate a sense of aesthetics; to boost self-esteem and intellectual curiosity; to decrease incidence of crime and substance abuse; and to promote friendship, solidarity and empowerment in the community.

The Center was established in 2001 to address a pressing need in one of Chicagos most blighted communities. After ten years, it remains the only free, consistent, after-school program for young people in the area. The Centers many activities fall into two broad areas: after-school (Street SmARTs) and in-school (School SmARTs) programs. Street SmARTs. This is the Centers curriculum during non-school hours. This year-round program includes after-school, on-site and community outreach activities, a summer studio series, a paid internship and apprenticeship program and monthly cultural field trips. The Center aspires to redirect youth from potentially negative activities during non- school hours by providing them with opportunities to be positive and inspired. Our objective is to offer a safe and welcoming space where young people are respected and can feel a part of a larger community while improving their artistic skills. On-Site Activities. These after-school programs are held 5 to 6 days a week. Every day after school the Center fills with local youth who want to learn techniques in the visual arts. One day a week the Center provides studio time where youth are free to create whatever they desire. The Center started it Art Basics class. This five-week class is taught by Center Staff. The purpose of the class is to give all new students basic foundations of art principles and history. Outreach Programs. Since 2006, the Center expanded its after-school arts program to reach youth in like neighborhoods.. These year round programs run as weekly sessions (typically for a six to ten-week period), monthly sessions, or one-day workshops. This year the Center has been in Englewood, East Side, Woodlawn and Washington Park providing free visual art programs for youth and adults. Summer Studio Series. This all-day, on-site summer program is tailored to the youths summer schedules. It is the only free summer program for youth in the neighborhood and the only cultural program in the area. In the mornings youth learn in the outdoor classroom at the Centers Artists Garden. Afternoons consist of both structured and unstructured activities. Youth participate intensive workshops that meet for two-hours each day for the week. After the workshop is over the studio is open to youth to create freely. Jobs. This year-round program provides paid internships to high school students. The aim of this program is to increase the skills and employability of interns, particularly of those who wish to become teachers or artists. More broadly they learn how to be a good employees. Cultural Field Trips. At least once a month throughout the year, the Center reinforces art classes by taking youth to visit Chicagos museums, galleries and other cultural institutions. The Centers main objective for these trips is to introduce young people to a world of possibilities outside of their isolated neighborhoods. School SmARTs. This is the Centers curriculum school hours. In addition to providing youth with in-school arts classes, this program includes teacher and parent workshops. It aims to challenge youth in the conventional classroom to become better learners and to allow teachers to see students in a different way. Classroom Instruction. This program integrates art with subjects that students are currently learning about in the classroom. The Center utilizes the scope and sequence utilized in the Office of Arts Administrations guide. Students are given a pre and post test to gage the knowledge they have learned.