Arts and Public Life

Arts and Public Life Arts + Public Life (APL) is a dynamic hub of exploration, expression, and exchange that centers peopl Learn more at artsandpubliclife.org

As a neighborhood platform for arts and culture in Washington Park, APL provides residencies for for local artists and creative entrepreneurs, arts education for youth, and artist-led programming and exhibitions. Arts + Public Life (APL) is an initiative of UChicago Arts, and thrives thanks to the support of a community of generous donors whose gifts have sustained the Arts + Public Life initiativ

e, Arts Incubator (+ Gallery and Woodshop), Green Line Performing Arts Center, L1 Creative Business Accelerator and Retail Shop, and the vibrant creativity happening every day on the Arts Block on historic Garfield Boulevard in Washington Park.

It's a quiet week on the Arts Block as get ready for an incredible month of September programming. Take some time to br...
08/31/2026

It's a quiet week on the Arts Block as get ready for an incredible month of September programming.

Take some time to breathe, stretch and center yourself at Sunset Yoga this Wednesday evening.

Preserving the Rhythm of First Monday Jazz: A conversation with our 2026 curator on geography, history, and Chicago’s So...
08/28/2026

Preserving the Rhythm of First Monday Jazz: A conversation with our 2026 curator on geography, history, and Chicago’s South Side.

Swipe to read how Clif Wallace curated this season's lineup to honor the rich legacy of Chicago’s South Side music scene, then tap the link in bio to read the full interview.

Interview by Alyssa Gregory + Liu Yang
Edited + Designed by: Alyssa Gregory
Photography by: Joel Maisonet + Lyric Newbern

Interested in learning behind-the-scenes theater tech, or curious about designing and building things for your community...
08/26/2026

Interested in learning behind-the-scenes theater tech, or curious about designing and building things for your community? Applications are officially live for the 2026 Fall Edu Session. Apply today for the Design Apprenticeship Program or the Backstage Production Program!

This is a unique, paid opportunity for young creatives to gain hands-on experience while building a creative network.

If this sounds interesting to you—or someone you know—pass this post along to them.

Link in bio to apply!

We invite you to meet us on the Arts Lawn for Sunset Yoga and Poetry at the Pavilion this week. Whether you are showing...
08/25/2026

We invite you to meet us on the Arts Lawn for Sunset Yoga and Poetry at the Pavilion this week. Whether you are showing up to stretch, center yourself, or listen to local artists, there is a space saved for you and a friend.

Check the link in bio for exact times, full details, and to reserve your spot.

We invite you to meet us on the Arts Lawn for Sunset Yoga and Poetry at the Pavilion this week. Whether you are showing...
08/24/2026

We invite you to meet us on the Arts Lawn for Sunset Yoga and Poetry at the Pavilion this week. Whether you are showing up to stretch, center yourself, or listen to local artists, there is a space saved for you and a friend.

Check the link in bio for exact times, full details, and to reserve your spot.

Applications for APL Edu’s Fall Term open on August 26th! New this fall, we will only be having classes in Backstage Pro...
08/19/2026

Applications for APL Edu’s Fall Term open on August 26th!

New this fall, we will only be having classes in Backstage Production and the Design Apprenticeship Program.

If you are a young creative or know a young creative who is interested in learning the fundamentals of theatre production or want to be help create a community based design project share this post with them and get ready to apply!

We might be heading towards the end of August, but APL isn't slowing down! We have some incredible programs and events h...
08/17/2026

We might be heading towards the end of August, but APL isn't slowing down! We have some incredible programs and events happening this week on the Arts Block. Swipe to start filling your schedule with some creative goodness!

Rain or shine, tonights viewing of The Secret Life of Plants will be happening! Do not let the weather stop you from com...
08/14/2026

Rain or shine, tonights viewing of The Secret Life of Plants will be happening!

Do not let the weather stop you from coming out and seeing this rarely screened and impossible-to-stream documentary. The APL team is keeping an eye on the skies and if needed, the program will move to inside the Green Line Performing Arts Center.

See you tonight!

08/13/2026

What a incredible parade day!

Thank you to everyone who showed up and supported the South Side Home Movie Project at this year's Bud Billiken Parade.

To our marchers and APL youth, thank you for representing us with pride and bringing your best to the parade route. To our donor families, your ongoing support makes our work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to us. To the APL staff, thank you for the quiet work behind the scenes that kept everything running smoothly.

Finally, a salute to the parade goers who lined the streets, cheered for us, and made the day special for our team. We are SO proud to be a part of this community and look forward to building on this momentum together.

Join us on the Arts Lawn for an evening of music, community art, and a rare screening of the 1978 documentary The Secret...
08/11/2026

Join us on the Arts Lawn for an evening of music, community art, and a rare screening of the 1978 documentary The Secret Life of Plants.

🌿 Pre-Film Activities & Guest Artists
Before the sun sets, hang out on the lawn with our guest creators:
🌸 Planks & Pistils – Crafting wildflower seed bombs and custom bouquets through high-quality floral art rooted in Black freedom, creativity, self-care, and growth.

🎧 DJ Duane Powell – Legendary Chicago DJ, music historian, and tastemaker spinning an exclusive Stevie Wonder-inspired set to set the mood.

🎨 ReformedSchool by Peter Gaona – Offering unique, handmade wearable art and accessories that celebrate Stevie Wonder.

🎬 Film Screening: The Secret Life of Plants (1978)
As night falls, we’ll screen this rarely seen, impossible-to-stream 97-minute documentary that explores whether plants are sentient beings. This mind-bending film combines stunning time-lapse photography of Earth with global research—ranging from a polygraph technician tracking a houseplant's emotional response to a woman teaching a cactus the Japanese alphabet.

Stevie Wonder acts as co-narrator and composer, utilizing an era-defining battalion of synths to vocalize the inner life, pain, and joy of the natural world. The soundtrack later became his iconic double album A Journey Into the Secret Life of Plants.

Come for the art, community, and music—and stay for a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience!

The Secret Life of Plants: Stevie Wonder Movie Night
Friday, August 14, 2026 | 7:00 PM-10:00 PM
The Arts Lawn | 337 E. Garfield Blvd

Address

301 E Garfield Boulevard
Chicago, IL
60637

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm

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