MISSION STATEMENT

The Chicago Art Department (CAD) cultivates new and emerging Chicago artists. Through education, exhibition, artist residencies, and community building, we are dedicated to supporting new voices, ideas, and practices in contemporary art. CAD seeks to serve the real-world needs of young artists seeking to establish their personal practice, as well as provide a breeding ground of creative collaboration and exploration.

Our support of new and emerging artists consist of:

	Education & Artistic Development The Chicago Art Department offers educational opportunities aimed at nurturing artistic and practical development. THEME-BASED PROGRAMS are intermedia-based programs leading participants through a process of learning and working in a variety of media, with the goal of producing a theme-based exhibition. The exhibitions for theme-based programs typically show group exercises and individual projects, all in a variety of media.   SKILL-BASED PROGRAMS focus on technical explorations for the purpose of improving skills. Skill-based exhibitions typically showcase individual projects.
	Exhibition & Outreach The Chicago Art Department produces exhibitions, programs, and events to not only create greater awareness, but also provide regular opportunities and outlets for artists to make and share work.  The Chicago Art Department provides exhibition opportunities in other media as well, such as the web, print, and video, in addition to physical gallery spaces.
	Artist Residencies The Chicago Art Department is operated by and works in conjunction with 7 resident artists who share studio space and exhibit their work in the storefront gallery. In addition to operating CAD, these artists are an invaluable resource for knowledge, artistic inspiration, and practical experience.
	Community Building & Collaboration In addition to formal classes and exhibitions, the Chicago Art Department seeks to promote opportunities for people to network in casual social settings, and is dedicated to building a community that will grow and develop through collaboration and partnerships with other like-minded individuals and organizations.

CAD PRESS

January 2006
Top 5: Emerging Art Spaces/Shows
NewCity Chicago
Chicago Art Department was included in New City's annual top 5 Lists of Chicago

September 29, 2005
Best New Art School
NewCity Chicago
It’s unfair to compare what Pilsen’s Chicago Art Department does to that of the Art Institute or the University of Illinois at Chicago. But it takes some real moxie to even feign competition with such goliaths....

August 2005
Chicago Open House
ArtNet Magazine
It’s a familiar story. Artists want workspace. They move into rundown buildings and fix them up, only to see the neighborhood become fashionable and expensive.....

August 23, 2005
Campus Pilsen
New City Chicago: Article by Michael Workman
House burning to the ground with you in it? Call the fire department. Ski-masked stranger with a chainsaw chasing you down the street? Call the police department. Wake up with an urgent need for art? Call the art department

August 16, 2005
Back to School
New City Chicago: Article by Michael Workman
It's a hot night and the Beastie Boys' "Intergalactic" blares out through the open windows of my car as I make it a Pilsen night once again...

April 23, 2004
Group Efforts: Hey Let's Start An Art School
Chicago Reader: Article by Cara Jespen
The three of them came up with the idea for their informal school, launched in January, last fall at a monthly meeting at the two-story....