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acme art works
Artists frequently work in small groups, are unfunded and operate way below the radar. Dance, music, theater, media and visual artists do not often find opportunities to collaborate across disciplines. Factory space is well suited for experimental work, but is not legal for hosting audiences due to zoning and life safety issues. Established venues are often too big for the intimacy required by cabaret, poetry, dance, jazz and experimental music. Acme Art Works is our project space, and NNWAC invites artists to curate projects, to workshop ideas with intense collaboration. We purposefully create opportunities across disciplines to learn more effective strategies from each other.
st paul's cultural center
The Near NorthWest Arts Council, a community based tax exempt 501c3 organization, is working with the church council of St Paul Community Church to transform the facility into a cultural center. The Romanesque style church, built in 1890, is an example of exceptional craftsmanship and a major contributor to the Wicker Park historic district.
St Paul Cultural Center is a destination offering community cultural events and quality performing arts of international stature. We propose that the main floor will present recitals, choir, chamber and jazz concerts, small scale theater and cabaret. The lower level cabaret space will offer a more flexible space for community arts activities. This would include visual arts projects, workshops, meetings, film, lectures and open mike events.
The feasibility study will estimate the renovation cost and indicate if sufficient resources are available to undertake the redevelopment. We propose to identify arts partners interested in joining forces to obtain permanent shared quarters. Also, we will survey of local residents to establish audience interest.
DIY weddings @ st paul's
the artful alternative celebration space
Make it your very own celebration, invite your family and musician friends to play a role, make it a green event. The chapel provides a beautiful architectural space with stained glass, carved wood and seating for up to 300.
Call for details: 773.278.7677
face the street
In the past twenty years NNWAC has organized arts festivals, outdoor film programs, public art installations, arts education workshops, and hosted exhibits that launched many careers.
NNWAC is artist directed and as such, fostered programs that linked mature, experienced artists, with emerging artists and students. NNWAC’s goal is to engage the public in a year round cultural programs that encourages public participation. Face the Street will activate empty storefronts, vacant lots and underutilized space with public art, performance and film events. Residents and business will be invited to select art work for public display and participate in workshop events.
artist housing
NNWAC has actively worked to change public policy in issues critical to artists with a focus on economic development, affordable housing, zoning and ownership. It took twelve years to achieve the work/live condo development, Acme Artists Community, to the transfer the $3.5 million investment into the private control of the artists as property owners. is illustrated in before and after pictures, press reports, the culminating launch with Mayor Daley.
NNWAC worked directly with artists to design, develop and build a 25 unit work/live condo community in a 46,000 square foot industrial building. NNWAC conducted a feasibility study for the project connecting with artist housing developers in six major US cites. NNWAC board and its advisors contributed professional experience in design, planning, and marketing. NNWAC hired the project development team with proven professional expertise in design, finance, legal and adult training. NNWAC knowledge base includes an infrastructure of planning documents related to space that include partnership agreements, cooperative management plan, property lease agreements, and financial planning workshops. The limited equity provisions demonstrate a key innovation; a legal component that protects the future viability of an artist owned work/live community. NNWAC is forward thinking, as one of only three artist housing developments nation wide that developed artist owned space. The project succeeded in three major goals: to avoid the displacement in the face of dynamic gentrification, to limit the effect of increasing property taxes, and to insure sustainable artist community with durable, green construction.
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