NEAR NORTHWEST ARTS COUNCIL

NNWAC supports cultural activities and provides services that encourage more people to get more involved in the arts. We believe in the intrinsic value of a wide range of arts and cultural activities to benefit a diverse urban community. Our core strategy involves developing collaborative, affordable, sustainable strategies to help local artists and collectives. NNWAC is proactive in pooling our talents and resources and working together to deliver the tools and resources necessary to achieve a shared vision. Our core values include inclusiveness, diversity, shared responsibility, clarity of purpose, and transparency of process.

NNWAC founded in 1986 as a direct product of the community planning process associated with the Chicago Cultural Plan commissioned by Mayor Harold Washington. Artists, teachers and social activists joined forces to create a neighborhood resource center. Local artists recognized early on, that gentrification threatened displacement and therefore, control of affordable art space was essential. NNWAC was recognized within the first Chicago Cultural Plan as demonstrating local leadership and remains artist directed. NNWAC initiated action research with artist managed programs that cultivate professional opportunities.