Art Design Chicago
Downtown Day Aims to Expose Chicago’s Youth to Art and Design
Video: Joining “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” are Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City; Marquell Washington, an Explorers Program intern at My Block, My Hood, My City; and Michael Edwards, president and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance. (Produced by Sean Keenehan)
As Chicago teens look for ways to enjoy the summer, a new initiative is hoping to bring more young people to the Loop for an arts-focused experience.
Downtown Day on July 13 aims to expose young people to art and design, using the city as a backdrop. The event is part of Art Design Chicago and the Terra Foundation for American Art, a citywide initiate that aims to amplify Chicago’s art and culture scene with engaging community events.
“Through these experiences, participating youth will broaden their understandings of their city through the lens of art and design,” said Sharon Corwin, president and CEO of Terra Foundation for American Art, in a statement. “The foundation is committed to fostering dialogue around American art and expanding opportunities to engage with it, and our support of My Block, My Hood, My City continues to advance this aim.”
The day will include 35 downtown businesses offering free or discounted attractions, as well as workshops, education tours and culinary experiences.
(Courtesy of Chicago Loop Alliance)
It’s in partnership with My Block, My Hood, My City, a local nonprofit that mentors Chicago youth through opportunity exposure.
“Bringing youth from the South and West Side communities to downtown Chicago is not merely about sightseeing – it’s about opening doors of opportunity wide enough for everyone to walk through,” said Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City, in a statement. “It’s about leveling the playing field and ensuring that every young mind, regardless of their ZIP code, has the chance to see, learn and dream without limitations.”
After an introductory breakfast, the day continues with a welcome reception at the Harris Theater. From there, youth are encouraged to explore the Loop from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with chaperone volunteers. Attendees will also receive a $50 gift card to engage in the day’s activities.
“This initiative positively spotlights downtown as a space for youth to experience often unknown parts of their city,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “Partnering Loop businesses’ unique opportunities and attractions showcase the unceasing compassion and authenticity of Chicagoans.”
For more information, visit Formyblock.org/downtownday.
Note: This article was published July 9, 2024, and updated with video July 11, 2024.
(Courtesy of My Block, My Hood, My City)
Funding for WTTW’s arts coverage as part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration highlighting the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities, is provided in part by the Terra Foundation for American Art.