Arts Of Life

Our Mission

Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.

Arts of Life is a 501©3 non-profit founded in January 2000 with a shared vision: to create a working, person-centric, artistic community while providing a work environment of equality in Chicago. Motivated by founding artist Veronica Cuculich along with two co-directors Arts of Life brought nine other individuals with developmental disabilities to create the organization we are today. Our shared vision grew from a passion for artistic expression and a need for an alternative system.

Today, we have two professional art studios and represent over 60 artists with varying levels of physical and intellectual disabilities. Each studio is 6,000 square feet and includes a community gallery that is open to the public.

We love our volunteers (and we always need more of them to love)! Our community thrives and depends on the unique skills and capabilities of everyone involved with Arts of Life. Our volunteers assist artists with projects, teach new art skills, design databases, plan special events, assist in grant applications, and much more. Apply to be one of our many helping hands or check out our Board of Director opportunities– we’d love to find a place for you!