Over the past two decades, North Lawndale has mobilized with drive and vision to build a safer and more connected neighborhood at the center of the former Sears, Roebuck and Co. campus—an area that has come to be known as Homan Square.

The North Lawndale community is directly engaged through a curriculum of free arts courses offered by SAIC’s Continuing Studies.

The residency provides three artists per year to work on an project in North Lawndale with a studio space in SAIC campus location of Nichols Tower. They are offered a  stipend, administrative support to build platforms for public participation in their art. Artist are chosen by a community jury and supported with a Lawndale mentor. The artist in residence works with the community to develop creative solutions to local issues and build connections between people and the places they live.