OPEN Center for the Arts

OPEN Center for the Arts Share, inspire, and promote different artistic expressions of emerging and aspiring artists Artists will continue to roam the halls cultivating their craft.

Among the sounds of dishes and drums in the corners of Mexican restaurants, a group of young artists gathered to talk about art and future exhibits. These artists dreamed about having their own place where art spilled over into the community and where artists could help one another grow. In 2004, expresiones-artisticas became the epicenter that grew out of those late-night bashes where the grassro

ots art collective shared hopes and dreams. In 2008, the dream was put on hold after a fire took down the building that housed the group of artists. Today, a new group of artists, entrepreneurs, educators and community leaders have gathered to rebuild the dream. OPEN center for the arts is opening its doors keeping the same original philosophy that art is a fundamental force in culture and it must be nurtured and shared.

Shine bright like a đź’Ž Firefly! đź’ŽChicago is warming up, and Firefly season is right around the corner. The Artecito crew ...
05/29/2026

Shine bright like a đź’Ž Firefly! đź’Ž

Chicago is warming up, and Firefly season is right around the corner. The Artecito crew welcomed the impending visitors with a Saturday exploring the world of fireflies and other bioluminescent creatures. Borrowing from their brilliant characteristics, participants used glow art techniques to make their own critters to take home with them.

Thanks to everyone who came for another awesome Saturday Artecito at OPEN!

Joy emanates from Art!The OPEN team had a delightful time at Lawndale Pop-Up Spot's Friday on the Plaza. Making fantasti...
05/20/2026

Joy emanates from Art!

The OPEN team had a delightful time at Lawndale Pop-Up Spot's Friday on the Plaza. Making fantastical headbands and colorful bookmarks to go along with Open Books distribution from their bookmobile. Thank you to everyone who came by and made such an awesome Friday possible!

There are still two Fridays on the Plaza left for the season, check out Lawndale Pop-Up Spot for more!

NEW this summer for young adults: the OPEN Design Crew! Join us to explore green scaping design and help build a public ...
05/19/2026

NEW this summer for young adults: the OPEN Design Crew!

Join us to explore green scaping design and help build a public art installation in Marshall Square!

Work alongside talented artists as you:
✨ Learn design fundamentals
✨ Turn ideas into sketches
✨ Collaborate on a creative community project
✨ Showcase your work at the end of the summer

This is a chance to grow creatively, connect with others, and make impactful art in your community.

$15/hour
June 23 – August 1, 2026
20 hours/week | Tuesday–Saturday

Apply by May 25!
Apply here: https://bit.ly/OPENDesignCrew2026

05/08/2026

Join the OPEN Film crew and work under the illustrious Margaret Byrne.

Our Film Crew is lucky to learn from a filmmaker who truly cares about her students and their stories. This summer, she’s guiding a new group of young creatives as they build skills, find their voice, and tell stories from their community.

Apply to join us and work with Margaret: https://bit.ly/OPENChicagoWorks2026

05/06/2026

What can you expect from a summer with the OPEN Film Crew?

Last year’s participants built their creativity and found new ways to express themselves through film. This summer, you can do the same.

Join OPEN Center for the Arts through Chicago Youth Works and get paid to explore urban storytelling while capturing stories from Lawndale.

Work with teaching artists, learn documentary filmmaking, and be part of a team creating something meaningful.

Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, 20 hours per week
Pay: $15 per hour
Apply by May 10, 2026

Apply here: https://bit.ly/OPENChicagoWorks2026

Join the OPEN Film Crew. Learn, create, and make an impact through film.


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At our last Artecito, the game was on! Participants explored the animal kingdom and discovered the classifications that ...
04/29/2026

At our last Artecito, the game was on!

Participants explored the animal kingdom and discovered the classifications that help us understand what makes animals different—and what they share in common. Then, OPEN artists led two game-inspired art activities that helped participants reinforce what they learned while letting their creativity shine.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it another spectacular Artecito!

What story will you tell when you're behind the camera?Join OPEN Center for the Arts’ Chicago Youth Works team and get p...
04/23/2026

What story will you tell when you're behind the camera?

Join OPEN Center for the Arts’ Chicago Youth Works team and get paid to explore Urban Storytelling and capture the stories of LAWNDALE!

Schedule: Tuesday – Saturday | 20 hrs/week
Pay: $15/hour
Apply by: May 10, 2026

Apply at: https://bit.ly/OPENChicagoWorks2026

Join the OPEN Film Crew. Learn, create, and make an impact through film.

Thank you to everyone who confronted the frigid weather this Saturday in Chicago to come make art with us and our friend...
01/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who confronted the frigid weather this Saturday in Chicago to come make art with us and our friends at Lincoln Park Zoo.

We learned about Ocelots, and turned that knowledge into awesome sculptures. The cherry on top was the outpouring of love that went into writing letters to Quico, where our Artecito families reflected on their feelings about nature and how we can support the animals around us.

The 2026 Rosca was truly one for the books! Our mega rosca was once again larger than life, and we’re so grateful for th...
01/16/2026

The 2026 Rosca was truly one for the books! Our mega rosca was once again larger than life, and we’re so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and joy from everyone who attended.

We welcomed fall by having so much fun on a warm October Saturday! 🍂🎨 At Windy City Harvest , participants got their pum...
10/08/2025

We welcomed fall by having so much fun on a warm October Saturday! 🍂🎨 At Windy City Harvest , participants got their pumpkin painting on with the OPEN team and enjoyed cartoon drawing with Alejandro Rosado! Big thanks to all the participants and the wonderful team at Farm on Ogden for such a beautiful day

Address

2214 S Sacramento Avenue
Chicago, IL
60623

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

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