South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council

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South Shore Cultural Center Advisory Council Promotes community interest & participation in the activities of the Cultural Center by developing community engagement.

The building was originally designed as an exclusive and restrictive private club, the South Shore Country Club, by the architectural firm of (Benjamin) Marshall and Fox. These architects, renowned for their hotel and apartment building designs throughout the Chicago-land area, are best known for their design of the Drake and Blackstone Hotels. They constructed the original structure, the South Shore Club House in 1906 in the Italian Resort Style resembling a summer palace. Of the original structure, the only remaining portion is the ballroom (now Robeson Theater) on the south end of the existing cultural center. In 1916, after the membership expanded and the building became socially important, the old clubhouse was moved to the south section of the grounds and became the golf club (no longer in existence.) For decades the South Shore Country Club was a playground for Chicago's rich and famous. In the 1960's, the club could not adapt to the times (failing to vote to open up to all who could pay, and also to changing leisure lifestyle ways) and was abandoned and fell into disrepair. Over the next few years the biracial Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club pushed to have the club restored. In 1974, the Chicago Park District purchased the club and renovated it using the interior color schemes developed by the original architects Marshall and Fox. The Park District eventually developed a plan under a unique three-party agreement which included the Coalition to Save the South Shore Country Club. The latter was a city-wide group of arts organizations, historical preservationists, and community groups formed to campaign against the proposed demolition and to demand the establishment of a major cultural center. Faced with concerted and highly vocal opposition to its plans, the Park district withdrew its request for demolition in 1978 and eventually secured funds for renovation of the lower floors and the exterior of the main club house. The idea of developing a cultural center was actively resisted by the district and languished until after the election of Mayor Harold Washington, who appointed Park District board members who encouraged community participation in the management of the parks and to take seriously the consent decree to treat all parts of the city the same.

Got a little one ready to start kindergarten? attend this fair and get your questions answered to help you make an infor...
10/06/2026

Got a little one ready to start kindergarten? attend this fair and get your questions answered to help you make an informed decision!!

Our community ready for digital inclusion? We're partnering with QUILT to help make sure we are!! Come out in South Shor...
09/28/2026

Our community ready for digital inclusion? We're partnering with QUILT to help make sure we are!! Come out in South Shore and learn

Are you engaged in community? Know which police district you're in? find out here, then click on the district homepage a...
09/22/2026

Are you engaged in community? Know which police district you're in? find out here, then click on the district homepage and meet the team, attend community meetings!

Lots to do nearby Check out the Obama presidential Center for FREE activitieshttps://obama.org/events/in-the-balance-of-...
09/17/2026

Lots to do nearby Check out the Obama presidential Center for FREE activities
https://obama.org/events/in-the-balance-of-light/?utm_source=crm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20260916_SeptemberEventAddOn_ProgramsEvents_OPCInterests_None&sfmc_s=003Rm000016Pj2vIAC

Kick things off with instructors from Windy City Cowboy Club, who will lead two hours of energetic line dancing for everyone from first-timers to seasoned dancers. Then, Nathan Graham takes the stage, bringing together South Side Blues and Nashville Americana for a soulful live performance. Come rea...

CALLING ARTISTS!! SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY WITH SOUTH SHORE Call for Artists: South Shore Bank Building Art Installation Su...
09/04/2026

CALLING ARTISTS!! SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY WITH SOUTH SHORE Call for Artists: South Shore Bank Building Art Installation
Submit YOUR Proposal by Deadline: September 15th, 2026
ADDITIONAL INFO
The South Shore Community Development Corporation is seeking multiple artists to create painted art installations for the South Shore Bank Building on the northwest corner 71st Street and Jeffery Boulevard.

As part of the CorridorLive! South Shore and Commercial Corridor Storefront Activation Grant Program, this project will transform the building into a vibrant public-facing art experience that celebrates South Shore’s culture, history, creativity, commerce, and future.

Selected artists will create original painted artwork on framed plywood panels of various sizes. The final installation will serve as a visible cultural landmark along the 71st Street corridor.

Artists, muralists, painters, designers, illustrators, and artist teams are invited to submit concepts. Priority consideration may be given to South Shore, South Side, and Chicago-based artists.

Proposal Deadline: September 15th, 2026

Installation Target: October 30th, 2026

Submit To: [email protected]

Subject Line: South Shore Bank Building Art Proposal – [Artist Name]

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RFPhttps://www.southshorechamberinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Call-for-Artists-_SS-Bank-Building.pdf

Happening tomorrow!! REGISTER and Join us in South Shore!!
07/29/2026

Happening tomorrow!! REGISTER and Join us in South Shore!!

06/24/2026
06/17/2026

South Shore we have 2 movies in the Parks nights coming soon!! Check out the Chicago Park District link for the dates!

Address

7059 S South Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60649

Telephone

+17732560149

Website

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