OPEN Center for the Arts

08/12/2026

It's a wrap! 🎥 Our OPEN Film Crew Program came to an end last week, what an experience it was! From learning the film making process, creating stories, working together and making unforgettable memories. The youth brought creativity to our screen with their short films showing. You can watch them soon in our OPEN Center for the Arts youtube channel!

08/05/2026

¡Gracias por su maravillosa hospitalidad!
Queremos expresar nuestro agradecimiento al maravilloso y espectacular Teatro de La Paz en San Luis Potosí, México por recibirnos con tanta calidez, especialmente a la Subdirectora del Teatro de La Paz, Lic. Victoria de la Luz Ramírez Ruíz por compartir su tiempo y espacio.
Estamos emocionados de entrelazar NODOS!

07/27/2026

Join us at this years Arts Festival to celebrate creativity. A day filled with color, artwork, music, workshops, performances and more! Come create unforgettable memories with your family and friends

📅 Saturday, August 1st
⏰ 11AM
📍 Douglass Park Cultural & Community Center - 1401 S. Sacramento Dr, Chicago

Únete a nosotros en el Festival de las Artes de este año para celebrar la creatividad. ¡Un día lleno de color, obras de arte, música, talleres, presentaciones y mucho más! Ven a crear recuerdos inolvidables con tu familia y amigos.

📅 Sabado, Agosto 1
⏰ 11AM
📍 Douglass Park Cultural & Community Center - 1401 S. Sacramento Dr, Chicago

07/22/2026

07/01/2026

Gracias a las familias que nos acompañaron a Artecito sobre ajolotes. Combinando ciencia, conservación y arte cinético, las familias tuvieron la oportunidad de explorar de forma creativa la fascinante anatomía, los poderes de regeneración y la importancia cultural de los ajolotes. Fue muy divertido convivir y hacer arte con ustedes!

05/29/2026

Shine bright like a 💎 Firefly! 💎

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!

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!

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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