Illustration by Meghan Sim
Chicago has a bustling art world, and while the creativity is grand and exciting, it can be hard to find where you fit into the bigger picture. For every museum, gallery, and studio space in the city, there’s a group of artists looking for their community. And by all means, there’s plenty of community to go around!
The Black art scene in Chicago is present and loud. Here’s a list of six Black-owned art collectives from all around the city to help you find your village in this concrete jungle.
Fortune House, Bronzeville
Founded by young Black curators Makafui Searcy and Ryel Williams, Fortune House is a Black-owned gallery and exhibition space located in a small neighborhood in Bronzeville near 44th Street and Cottage Grove. From host-curated shows and fundraising social events like dances and cookouts, Fortune House aims to be a foundation for all young Black artists.
Threewalls, Loop
Threewalls is a non-profit organization that not only fosters contemporary art practices but also gives back to the local community. Threewalls hosts interdisciplinary art salons, community panels, counseling and career readiness workshops, community meals, research and development labs on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and much more. Threewalls also maintains a relief fund to provide support to artists transitioning in employment.
Golden Street, Loop
Golden Street is underground! Literally! You’ll find the Golden Street Underground Market just off of the pedway on Randolph St.,in a quaint storefront-turned-event space. Founded by brothers Moshe and Amoz Wright, Golden Street boasts an intimate space for all Black artists to share their Christian faith and artwork that ranges from poetry, to painting, to music. Golden Street is bright, youthful, and on the come-up.
3Arts, Loop
Founded on the principles of lifting up local artists and raising the volume of their diverse voices, 3Arts has supported more than 2,300 artists, 73 percent of whom are artists of color. The 3Arts organization hosts various crowdfunded art workshops, residency programs, professional development workshops, and has built an emergency response fund. Dedicated to career-spanning support, 3Arts provides awards and grants in gratitude to 10 Chicago artists for their contributions to the exuberance of the city each year.
Chi Community Crit, Web
Organized by alumni from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chi Community Crit is a space for artists, post-grad or otherwise, to continue to receive critique and gain support from peers. Doing crits, talks, and potlucks, Chi Community Crit is continuing to build their community in its second year of existence. You can sign up for and attend critiques through their Instagram.
With(in).Digital, Web
Investigating the creative process of being Black and making art on the internet, With(in).Digital is a digital respite for Black artists and those curious to have curated conversations about their processes. With(in) recontextualizes space, treats social media with mindfulness, prioritizes Black perspectives, values Black innovation, and seeks to build new philosophies in various realms of Afrofuturism. Workshops and digital talks are held via Zoom in tandem with a running blog.
Whether you’re looking for your new family or a place to get your art on the wall, Chicago is rich with opportunity and artistry, waiting to be encountered by you. Get out there and create, you’ll fit right in!
