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"I cannot imagine any organization in the
city that has created an arts organization as important to our community
and as necessary as Urban Gateways and, most importantly, so lasting
in its contribution to the education of the children of our city.
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—Lois Weisberg, Commissioner, City of Chicago, Department
of Cultural Affairs
Recognized as one of Chicago’s leading arts education resources,
Urban Gateways increasingly serves as a partner and facilitator
in building educational relationships and maintaining long-term
strategic arts integration programs. Present in nearly every Chicago-area
neighborhood, we understand the city and are committed to building
collaborations within communities that want to create nurturing
learning environments for children.
Urban Gateways’ partnerships with schools, community- building
organizations, and educational agencies take on many forms.
Some examples of current Programs:
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Community Schools
Community Schools build on the basics – families, neighborhoods,
and academics – to create twenty-first century excellence.
As lead partner in six such schools, Urban Gateways takes
on a critical role in establishing a healthy and productive
educational environment. Our work is integrated into the life
of the school on multiple levels in order to impact student
development and outcomes. Working in collaboration with school
administration, parent groups, community members, and the
student body, Urban Gateways guides the development of programs
and services that address quality education, youth development,
family support, family and community engagement, and community
development.
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Urban
Gateways Community Schools:
- Chavez Multicultural Academic Center
- Esmond Elementary School
- Greeley Elementary School
- Jahn World Language School
- New Sullivan Elementary School
- Owens Elementary Community Academy
- Pilsen Community Academy
- Sherman School of Excellence
- Stewart Elementary School
- Tanner Elementary School
- Woodlawn Community Elementary School
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Art Options
Urban Gateways’ Art Options is a career development
program for junior high and high school students, which uses
art making as a vehicle for youth and community development.
Participants work on a community-based arts project that explores
an issue, asks a question, provokes and inspires deep critical
thinking, and elicits change in their community. Students
work one-on-one with leading artists in a paid, professional
environment and participate in the entire artistic process
from the conception of original design ideas, through instruction
and implementation of multi-disciplinary arts techniques (theatre,
visual art, film/video, and poetry), to the presentation of
finished works. |
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Ailey Camp
Urban Gateways partners with Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools
in implementing an innovative summer dance and youth development
program that serves inner-city children grades six to eight.
The camp provides young people with an invaluable opportunity
to explore their creativity, learn to master their bodies,
and strengthen respect for themselves and others within a
supportive framework that gives them an important foundation
for the future. A combination of artistic and personal development
classes are conducted for the students.
Arts Education Advocacy Groups
Arts Education Advocacy Groups are developed to cultivate
and train stakeholders in the importance of telling their
stories about the impact arts learning has on the lives of
young people. Through these groups, Urban Gateways is fostering
a grassroots mobilization effort for systemic arts delivery
throughout our schools. These advocacy groups will be trained
in effective community organizing and messaging to protect
and advance the support for arts education and creative experiences.
With proper training, coalitions can increase legislative
will, financial buy-in, human capital, quality of arts delivery,
and allotted time for the arts. |
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Consultant Projects
Urban Gateways staff and artists are available as consultants
to assist corporate, cultural, civic, community-building,
and health and social service organizations in achieving project
goals in the arts. Our team of trained professionals is available
to conduct projects in the following areas:
- Artist Training
- Project Management
- Program Development
- Program Evaluation
- Front-of-House Operations Management
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For more information about existing special projects, or to develop
a new project, please contact Urban Gateways at 312.922.0440 or
info@urbangateways.org.
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