Evanston Arts Council

05/17/2026

Workshop 2 of 5 is here!

The City of Evanston Artist Professional Development Series continues with EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MARKET YOUR WORK.

This an artist-led workshop for visual artists who want stronger tools to present their work professionally.

In one day, participants will work through 3 stations:

- artwork documentation photography
- artist headshot / portrait
- artist website development

Presented by the City of Evanston and the Evanston Arts Council with Art Doc Chicago.

This intensive workshop is designed to help artists walk away with polished, practical assets they can use immediately.

When: Saturday, June 6 | 9 AM–6 PM
Where: Noyes Cultural Center | Second Floor Gallery

Space is limited: EVANSTON ARTISTS ONLY

Apply here: https://forms.gle/deoHfM7AQ3wpNARY7

More details: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jzAQwQiI1tDAENxssA2ZHxmXiPQqTsf5/view?usp=sharing

05/07/2026

We want to share an upcoming exhibition and art opening that reflects how this Arts work at the City of Evanston is beginning to take shape.

Coffee & Practice prompted an uptick in meeting requests from Evanston artists across all artistic disciplines. It has been superbly rich, insightful and informative, often extending beyond the initial 30 minutes.

Again and again, we heard the importance of visibility, connection, and meaningful opportunities to share work with the public. It’s been important to not just to hear those needs, but to help translate them into real opportunities.

TOMORROW is one example of that work with Bridge@909: A Sean Williams Solo Exhibition, [HOME] (is where the art is)

You are invited to the opening reception.

Friday, May 8, 2026
6:00–7:30 PM
909 Davis Street Lobby | Light refreshments will be provided.

RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridge909-sean-williams-solo-exhibition-home-is-where-the-art-is-tickets-1988590802622?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

04/27/2026

One of the lessons we continue to learn in municipal arts work is that cities often reveal how much they value their arts sector by how well they listen to the people sustaining it.

But what if the future of city arts policy began not with a report, but with a conversation?

Too often, municipalities try to support the arts sector through top-down strategies developed at a distance from the people doing the creative labor. But thriving arts ecosystems are built differently: they grow when cities learn how to listen, respond, and care for the workers who make culture possible.

In Evanston, we developed Coffee & Practice: a simple but meaningful framework for meeting one-on-one with artists, creatives, and cultural workers in informal public spaces to hear directly about their practice, challenges, ambitions, and what real support looks like.

For us, listening is not soft work. It is strategic work.

These conversations are more than networking. They function as a civic feedback valve.

They reveal:
• where artists are struggling in silence
• what barriers prevent growth
• how city systems can feel inaccessible
• what opportunities or new initiatives are ready to emerge
• where policy can shift from symbolic to practical support

Book your 30-minutes here: https://calendly.com/jdaley-cityofevanston/30min

04/25/2026

Delighted to curate the works of Sean Williams, in a solo exhibition for Evanston’s Bridge@909 that showcases Evanston’s artists.

Location: 909 Davis St Lobby
Exhibition: April 24 through June 15

ABOUT Bridge@909
Bridge at 909 is the City of Evanston’s rotating exhibition program located at 909 Davis Street, transforming a prominent downtown lobby into an accessible public-facing arts space. The initiative provides professional visibility for artists particularly Evanston-connected creatives. We do this while bringing contemporary art directly into the daily life of residents, workers, and visitors.

What Sean says:
“I was born and raised in Evanston, so my earliest memories are all of the suburbs, but when I think about my artistic journey, it’s always been less about where I’ve come from and more about where I am: if I can pick up a pencil in that moment, I’m home. “

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

APRIL IN EVANSTON IS STACKED!

So where do we start?

From jazz at Pick-Staiger at Northwestern to poetry inside the Dawes House and from artist talks to exhibitions across the city.

Quite frankly, there’s something happening every week.

We have a few highlights:

• Marquis Hill live in concert

• National Poetry Month readings + open mic nights

• Sean Williams’ solo exhibition at 909 Davis Lobby (Bridge@ 909 Exhibition Program)

• Workshops, film screenings, and more across the city

Peek at the newsletter for the deets: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILEVANSTON/bulletins/410d5e6

04/04/2026

It’s a rainy Saturday, we know but there are loads of fun art-filled things to do indoors.

What we think you should do:

Today is First Saturday with go see art on display, shop for art and handmade goods, learn to sketch, and make ART friends. Check out their website for locations and venues.

Next, the has a great exhibition on right now: Azul Alberto Noguera is the curator of La Jaula de Oro, on view through April 19.

Or head to and escape into the glitz and glamour of The Drowsy Chaperone, the (fictitious) 1928 musical comedy.

Grab your umbrellas and make the most of your Saturday!

Go on a creative adventure!

03/12/2026

What are you doing this evening?

Calling all non-profits and community organizations!

It's that time of year and we are excited to announce that as part of the Evanston Arts Council's Cultural Fund Grant program, non-profits and community organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation are invited to apply for up to $5,000 to support specific cultural programs and/or general operations of their arts organization.

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 p.m.

Arts and community organizations from diverse artistic disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The goal is to demonstrate the spirit of unity within the Evanston community through the arts.

Applicants can attend a free Virtual Cultural Fund Grant Information Session:
TONIGHT, March 12 at 7 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85112685786

A recording of the virtual session will be made available on the website.

03/07/2026

What are you doing this weekend?

The weather has been abysmally gray and wet for the last few days but don't let it cramp your style or ruin your weekend plans. Here are a few things you should definitely add to your list of adventures!

- Main Dempster Mile is hosting a Dempster Design Row Weekend

- Evanston's Women's Club is hosting a R***e Performance Night.

- Grove Gallery has a new show up celebrating women painters.

- Noyes Cultural Center has a cool exhibit by artist Juana Fernandez Hamer on view. Juana Fernandez-Hamer

- Evanston Made is hosting First Saturdays Evanston Made

- Warm up with S'mores on the Square hosted by Downtown Evanston. Downtown Evanston

Fight the urge to stay on the couch this weekend. Get out and join the fun!!

03/03/2026

When the work is finished… what comes next?

In Evanston, we’re investing not only in making of art but in the moment after. The proposals. The submissions. The exhibitions. The grants. The visibility.

We’re excited to invite you to an upcoming professional development workshop led by Jonathan Michael Castillo, visual artist and photographer, designed specifically for artists who are ready to move their work into the world with intention and strategy.

Enjoy samples from Jonathan's photography projects.

Jonathan was recently commissioned to create a large-scale permanent installation of his work at O’Hare International Airport as part of the Terminal 5 expansion project.

When: March 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM | In-person and Virtual

Where: 909 Davis St, City of Evanston, 332 Conference

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-finished-work-to-finished-applications-tickets-1983455370406?