Chicago Artists Coalition

Chicago Artists Coalition Supporting Chicago contemporary artists and curators.

Over 40 years ago, CAC began as a small group of artists advocating for rights, support and visibility in the city’s cultural landscape and economy. Small in size but mighty in impact, CAC was critical to the formation of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the development of Chicago Artists Month and the passing of the Percent for Art Ordinance. The latter designates 1.33% of new construction or renovation budgets of public buildings to a public art fund dedicated to the commission, purchase and maintenance of public art in Chicago

Since then, the organization has evolved and grown to meet the needs of Chicago’s artists, moved into the West Loop in 2011, and launched its groundbreaking residencies and professional development programs. CAC was the first to offer a residency with a curatorial component (HATCH Projects) and is still one of the only residency programs that offer onsite studio space and a guarantee of a solo exhibition to its 10 BOLT residents. Since then, 60 BOLT artists have had solo shows, 288 HATCH artists have participated in group shows, 2,950 artists have participated in professional development programs, and 24 curators have further developed their curatorial and exhibition making skills

In 2012, the Coalition significantly expanded its programs and outreach by acquiring the Chicago Artists Resource website, known as CAR, from the City of Chicago. The Coalition was identified early on by the City and other stakeholders as the exemplary candidate to assume ownership of CAR because of the organization's long commitment to providing direct services to individual practicing artists and helping to build networks and resources for a thriving creative marketplace within the community. The acquisition of CAR fulfills important strategic goals for the organization, including serving artists in any and all creative disciplines, enhancing other programs and outreach for more diverse populations, and positioning the Coalition for national growth.

09/18/2026
Artist and curatorial applications for our 2027 residency cycle will open on Friday, October 16.Stay tuned for more info...
09/18/2026

Artist and curatorial applications for our 2027 residency cycle will open on Friday, October 16.

Stay tuned for more information to be shared then!

The deadline to apply is Sunday, December 20 at 11:59pm.

On Wednesday, October 14 from 6-8pm we have our next professional development workshop, Effective Exhibition Proposals w...
09/16/2026

On Wednesday, October 14 from 6-8pm we have our next professional development workshop, Effective Exhibition Proposals with Jennifer Murray.

REGISTER TODAY AT THE LINK IN OUR BIO.

This workshop is ideal for emerging and mid-career artists, recent graduates, and new practitioners planning to submit proposals in the near future or looking to learn more about working with exhibition spaces. Attention will also be given to adapting proposals for residency and grant applications. The focus will be on developing a cohesive project statement and choosing images that best support your proposal.

Artists often need to submit proposals to galleries for solo exhibitions. Learn how to present yourself and your work successfully in a standard proposal format.  Topics covered will include project statements and artist statements, artist bios, and choosing the best visuals.

Rooted in our core values of knowledge-sharing and building community, this 90-minute seminar will include 30 minutes of conversation with participants. Bring your experience and your questions to the group!

This is a hybrid event. Participants may attend in person or via Zoom. Registration is required.

$10 for the general public
$5 for CAC alumni
FREE for current residents

       

09/14/2026

Our 2026 Residents have moved into their studios at CAC. We would love for you to have a chance to visit them on September 17 from 5-8pm during Chicago Exhibition Week.

Join us for an evening hosted by the 2026 studio residents: Ellie Dale Anderson, Bintou Diallo, Anwar Mahdi, Pablo Monterrubio, Maya Nguyen and Katie Vota.

At the same time, you will be able to walk through our current exhibition “All Is Fish That Comes to the Net”, featuring Sebastian Bruno-Harris, Rob Croll, Nick D’Alessandro and Van Payne, curated by Taj Richardson.

Thank you to Colleen Keihm for running our most recent professional development workshop “Keywords” and to everyone who ...
09/11/2026

Thank you to Colleen Keihm for running our most recent professional development workshop “Keywords” and to everyone who attended in person and online!

Speaking clearly and concisely about your practice as an artist or curator are important skills to have, something our participants last night had time to practice with guidance from Keihm.

Our next workshop is “Effective Exhibition Proposals” with Jennifer Murray on Wednesday, October 14 from 6-8pm. Participants can attend in person or online via Zoom.

Check out our other upcoming workshops at the links in our bio or on our website at chicagoartistscoalition.org/upcoming-events/.

The Chicago Reader just published an article on independent curators in Chicago, and we’re happy to share that three of ...
09/09/2026

The Chicago Reader just published an article on independent curators in Chicago, and we’re happy to share that three of the six chosen to be featured are former Chicago Artists Coalition Residents:

Cristobal Alday (2021 Resident)
Francine Almeda (2024 Resident)
Rachel Dukes (2025 Resident)

We are delighted and proud to see these curators recognized for their hard work and dedication to supporting artists in Chicago.

Congratulations to the other curators who were selected as well:

Zola Rollins
Azul Alberto Nogueron
Brian Jucas

Read all of the profiles by visiting Chicago Reader’s bio. Written by Kerry Cardoza and others.

Images 1 and 3-5: Kirk Williamson
Image 2: Mikey Mosher

Photos from the opening of 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘵 on Friday, a four-person exhibition by 2025 Artist Resident...
09/08/2026

Photos from the opening of 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘐𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘵 on Friday, a four-person exhibition by 2025 Artist Residents Sebastian Bruno-Harris, Rob Croll, Nick D’Alessandro and Van Payne, curated by 2025 Curatorial Resident Taj Richardson.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the work and celebrate with us!

The show will be up through Thursday, October 15, when we will host an Artist Talk* and Closing Reception from 6-8pm.

*Artist Talk will be from 6:30-7:30pm

Chicago Exhibition Week Events:
Thursday, September 17 from 4-6pm*: FREE Collage Workshop; RSVP in bio

*2026 Resident Open Studios will be from 5-8pm this day as well

Gallery hours:
Wednesdays 11am-4pm
Saturdays 12-4pm
By appointment

We are honored to announce that our Executive Director Brookes Ebetsch was featured as one of this year’s Newcity Chicag...
09/03/2026

We are honored to announce that our Executive Director Brookes Ebetsch was featured as one of this year’s Newcity Chicago Art 50 for Directors and Curators.

Thank you Vasia Rigou for understanding the work we do on a deep level, for being one of our biggest chearleaders, and for the thoughtful write-up.

We would also like to extend congratulations to some members of our community who were also named as part of the Art 50: Suzette Bross Suzette Bross (Founder, Artists in Public Schools | 2015 CAC Artist Resident) and Jeannette Tremblay Chambers (Co-Executive Director, Hyde Park Art Center | 2013 CAC Curatorial Resident).

Well done to everyone featured!

Photo: Joseph A. Mietus

As our ’90s & Neon Fundraiser approaches on October 1, we want to highlight our venue for the evening, Ignite Glass Stud...
09/02/2026

As our ’90s & Neon Fundraiser approaches on October 1, we want to highlight our venue for the evening, Ignite Glass Studios.

Less than a 5-minute walk from CAC, Ignite Glass Studios is situated in Chicago’s West Town/West Loop neighborhood. They have a gallery space featuring hand-blown glass art exhibits, plus classes and demonstrations.

We hope you’ll come celebrate with us in support of our work sharing knowledge with and connecting creatives in the city.

Timeline:
6-7pm - Check In/Cocktails/Food
7pm - Welcome + Disc Jacqui performance
7:20pm - About CAC + Paddle Raise
7:45pm - Dance floor opens
9pm - Event ends

Reserve your spot today at the link in our bio!

We are back with our Resident Spotlight series, where we highlight our 2025 Residents ahead of their shows opening later...
09/01/2026

We are back with our Resident Spotlight series, where we highlight our 2025 Residents ahead of their shows opening later this and next year.

Taj Richardson is curating the group show opening on Friday, September 4, 2026 from 5-8pm at Chicago Artists Coalition with work by Sebastian Bruno-Harris, Rob Croll, Nick D’Alessandro, and Van Payne.

You can read the full interview at the link in our bio.

Scroll to see photos of Taj’s work and excerpts from the interview.





Image 1: “Write That Down!” Spring/Summer ‘25 Release Party, September 2025

Image 3: “Whatever Comes to the Net Is Fish” booklet from Rob Croll’s collection

Image 5: Sebastian Bruno-Harris’s desk arrangement and basket materials, August 2026

Image 7: Nick D’Alessandro’s studio, July 2026

Address

1431 W Hubbard Street, Ste 201
Chicago, IL
60642

Telephone

+13124918888

Website

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