THE PROJECT ARCHIVE

West Side Art Chicago (WSAC) brought together a collective of creative individuals who build the initiative to increase the vitality of west side neighborhoods. The idea began with a need to promote positive perceptions in our own live/work neighborhoods on the west side of Chicago. By developing financial opportunities for local creators and by cultivating social consciousness through creative projects, West Side Art Chicago supported economic and cultural thriving in these neighborhoods through a collection of "generative projects." West Side Art Chicago thrived through local artists/makers who are collaborators in community building. Each project met four objectives:

Confront poverty on Chicago's west side by developing creative educational and income opportunities for local artists/makers.
Promote positive ideas and perceptions of goodness on Chicago's west side through arts-based advocacy.
Create new opportunities for the production and exhibition of work on Chicago's west side.
Provide funding to artists and arts organizations committed to the total thriving of Chicago west side neighborhoods.

Past Projects

Chicago Home Theater Festival - Austin @ The Rectory

Tales from the New American Hood

Tales from the New American Hood is a makers' project that will introduced The Rectory to the Austin community. The project inaugurated the studio space with storytelling, and creative resistance. Tales features local Austin residents creating science fiction stories based on their experiences.

Black Eutopia

Ramara "Rae" Taylor is the artist co-creator of generative project, Black Eutopia. Rae graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management. She has maintained projects in event planning, music consultation, live show and festival production, and performance art management. She specializes in sound selecting. Rae utilizes her passion for activism to create community development and outreach strategies through efficient event coordination. She is dedicated to encouraging a life of open-minded learning and expression in order for others to learn to create and/or find their own peace. Rae is the Co-Founder and music programmer for WSTS Radio; an emerging community based online radio station catering to Black and Latino communities in Chicago, centralized on Chicago's west side. www.wstsradio.com

This Art T-shirt

This Art T-shirt is the first generative project to launch from West Side Art Chicago. The shirts were designed and printed by local artist, Leah Gipson, in the artist work space at Rumble Arts Center (now closed) in Humboldt Park. The art t-shirts made their first appearance at the SAIC art therapy faculty exhibition at Rumble Arts Center 3413 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 in September 2013. Gallery visitors could purchase t-shirt from the installation.

This Art T-shirt project grantee was Rumble Arts Center.