Chicago’s Cultural Landscape
At SAIC, you’re part of a community of faculty, alums, and students who fuel Chicago’s cultural life—and have done for decades. Today they’re behind many of the city’s most exciting hubs. Located in old manufacturing buildings, apartments, and backyards, these spaces are rooted in Chicago’s history of community building. Take a look.
Hyde Park Art Center
SAIC alum Don Baum (SAIC 1942–43) helped turn the 1939 Fifth Ward Art Guild into a hub for Chicago artists.
Facility
Stephanie and Bill Sick Professor of Fashion, Body and Garment Nick Cave and partner Bob Faust's Facility, a city block–sized creative incubator and exhibition space in Irving Park, is also where the duo live and work.
DuSable Museum of African American History
Founded in 1961 by SAIC’s Dr. Margaret Burroughs (BA 1942, MA 1948, HON 1987), this is one of the first US museums devoted to preserving and studying Black history and culture.
The Franklin
Edra Soto’s (MFA 2000) and Dan Sullivan's backyard project space, The Franklin, is a place for local artists to engage with the community.
SAIC Shows
See boundary-breaking exhibitions and events featuring work by SAIC students completing their degrees. Free and open to the public.
SAIC Meets ART on THE MART
Associate Professor Jan Tichy gave students in the Art and Technology / Sound Practices and Photography departments an opportunity of a lifetime—creating digital installation work for ART on THE MART’s winter programming.
The Opportunity
Associate Professor Jan Tichy gave students in the Art and Technology / Sound Practices and Photography departments an opportunity of a lifetime—creating digital installation work for ART on THE MART’s winter programming.
The Site
The Students
Collaborative pair Rio Usui and Cyrus Spurlock created Gaze at the Moon, an exploration of the relationship between architecture, space, and humanity.
The Experience
“It’s a really rare opportunity to be in a class while doing a public art project together,” said student Haeun Lee. With her collaborative partner Fionn Kelly, Lee embraced the opportunity the course offered.
What Is This?
Student Made, Student Run
The Student Community
The SAIC community is tight-knit, and whether you live on campus or in one of Chicago’s neighborhoods, you’ll have many opportunities to connect beyond the classroom and studio — from student groups to all-school barbecues and fashion shows to lectures by visiting artists and designers.
Places to Live
As a resident of one of our three residence halls, you can immerse yourself in a community of fellow artists and designers, live right in the heart of Chicago's Loop, and enjoy conveniences you won't find in most student apartments. With 24-hour security and live-in staff, you can feel supported as you live and learn.
Things to Do
More than 50 student groups and a full schedule of events help give SAIC its nonstop energy. Take part in school-wide events, join groups that reflect your passions—and start one yourself—or contribute to SAIC’s award-winning F Newsmagazine or Free Radio SAIC. You can also explore exhibition opportunities at two student-run SITE Galleries.
Staying Healthy
Health is more than physical well-being. It’s the whole of you—body and mind. That’s why SAIC’s Wellness Center offers a full range of counseling and health services, plus meditation sessions, fitness center discounts, and the Disability and Learning Resources Center.
Making Community
SAIC students collaborate with local residents and artists in Chicago's historic Homan Square neighborhood to catalyze social change. Working hand-in-hand with the community, students organize projects like Community Care Sessions and Youth Workshops that integrate studio art practices with civic engagement.
Safety at SAIC
SAIC is located in Chicago's bustling Loop, the heart of the city. Our campus is near Millennium Park, multiple tourist attractions, and a thriving theater district. For enhanced safety, SAIC students also have access to campus escorts and ride services.