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U
rban Gateways has been providing arts programming
to young people in Chicago for nearly six decades–
inspiring creativity and impacting social change. We believe
that all youth deserve equitable access to opportunities
that support their personal development, social well-
being, and passion for lifelong learning. Urban Gateways
accomplishes its mission through arts education, creative
youth development, and civic engagement initiatives that
reach 80,000 youth across 250 locations annually.
Through our programs young people acquire and refine
artistic skills, share their talents, engage in critical thinking,
explore new possibilities, and contribute to the civic
discourse of our society. Programs are led by professional
artists and staff who engage youth in activities that build
essential skills necessary to succeed in life such as creativity,
collaboration, problem solving, empathy, innovation, and
positive risk-taking.
Our school and community-based programs, including
artist residencies, touring performances, and workshops,
encourage young people to explore diverse arts experiences
with the guidance of teaching and touring artists, supporting
program participants’ full creative potential. In 2017
Urban Gateways acquired Street Level, a creative youth
development program and multimedia center in the West
Town/Wicker Park community that helps amplify young
voices and encourages social change. And Urban Gateways’
newest program as of May 2018, Teen Arts Pass (TAP),
allows teens to experience live arts performances all around
Chicago for only $5. Through TAP, our 25 inaugural arts
partners open their doors to welcome future generations
of artists, arts patrons, and arts appreciators.
Please visit the UrbanGateways website at urbangateways.org
to learn more about our work inspiring young Chicagoans
in schools and community spaces, placing young voices
front and center to build dialogue and imagine an equitable
society, and creating access to Chicago’s vibrant arts scene.
There’s always a lot happening!
E
xperimental Reflections: Exploring Identity through the
Art
s
is anexhibitionof studentwork fromUrbanGateways
In-School Artist Residency programs. The exhibition
features projects from three programs, representing schools
in Chicago’s Brighton Park, Englewood, and Little Village
neighborhoods. Examining and celebrating Black American
andMexican history and culture, students explored themes
of social justice, equity, and identity through an artistic lens.
Art Expressways Highlight:
Urban Gateways
Images (left to right): Pickard Elementary, photo by Lucas Anti; Vaughn HS at SL, photo by Jess Leonard.
by Urban Gateways
by Urban Gateways
Student work fromUrban Gateways will be on view in
the Jean Morman Unsworth Art Expressways Gallery
beginning July 3, 2018.