South Side Community Art Center Unveils $15M Expansion to Honor Legacy and Empower Black Artists
A Community Design Unveiling Event Set for February 22
The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC), the country’s oldest, independently run, and continuously operating Black arts institution, recently announced its planned rehabilitation and expansion. An official Community Design Unveiling will be held on February 22 at 1 p.m. at Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S Indiana Ave. SSCAC invites those interested in learning more about the project to attend. SSCAC’s mission is developing and showcasing Black artists at every stage of their careers.
A $15M Expansion to Enhance Facilities and Capacity
The addition and rehabilitation project is estimated to cost up to $15M. Designed by Future Firm (architect), wrkSHäp | kiloWatt (historic preservation architect), and to be built by a joint venture of general contractors Brown & Momen, Inc. and Berglund Construction, with the advice of URBAN ReSOLVE (development advisor), the project will add over 10,000 square feet of space to the Center, which will expand visitor capacity by 398%, and provide accessibility to people with disabilities. The development team is diverse and local.
Enhancing Community Engagement and Artistic Expression
The project will expand the Center’s capacity for exhibitions, art practice, research, and community engagement. Upon completion, SSCAC will be able to facilitate many more exhibitions and interactions with Black artists while increasing access for community members, researchers, arts administrators, historians, and educators.
Commitment to Community-Based Development and Sustainability
The Center is working closely with the development team, including consultants and contractors, to ensure that the project aligns with SSCAC’s values and advances equity and community-based development opportunities. Project-enabling work continues over the next few months, with plans to begin construction of the addition and rehabilitation of the historic house later in 2025, and plans to complete the project in late 2026.
Support from City, State, and Private Sectors
The rehabilitation and expansion are supported by the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Arts Council, the Driehaus Foundation, Terra Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Commonwealth Edison, and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation (Climate Initiative) as well as other generous private donors.
Rethinking and Rebuilding the Historic Building
The rehabilitation and expansion plan utilizes design approaches that honor the building’s historic character while introducing new spaces and upgraded building technology to meet the needs of the next generation of artists and visitors, and the Center’s significant on-site archives.
New Additions and Upgrades
The addition, planned for the rear of the original building, will provide a backdrop to SSCAC’s historic facade, creating a clear dialogue between the past and future. State-of-the-art systems, including a geothermal well field and solar-ready roof, will support the project’s LEED Silver goal, reflecting SSCAC’s commitment to sustainability and efficient operations for decades to come. New museum-grade galleries will provide spaces to preserve and exhibit SSCAC’s collection and loaned works. New flexible classrooms, improved archival storage areas, and updated office spaces will equip the center to support artists, educators, and staff. A rooftop gathering space will provide much-needed event space.
Paying Homage to the Past
A new stepped terrace, evoking the original and iconic front stoop of the Center, will further connect SSCAC to its neighborhood, welcoming Bronzeville residents and visitors alike. The project will both expand and modernize the Center, while honoring its rich legacy. The building’s facade will celebrate the pattern of nail holes found in the historic Margaret T. Burroughs Gallery, through the implementation of a custom perforated exterior panel system. Evocative of the nail holes created by previous generations of artists’ exhibiting in the gallery, the exterior panel system creates a symbolic link to the past, while allowing dappled natural light to enter the Center, creating an ethereal space and place to celebrate the work of Black artists for generations to come.
Conclusion
The South Side Community Art Center’s expansion and rehabilitation project is a testament to its commitment to preserving its legacy and empowering Black artists. With a diverse and local development team, the project is expected to be completed in late 2026, providing a state-of-the-art facility that honors the past while embracing the future.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the South Side Community Art Center’s expansion and rehabilitation project?
A: The project aims to enhance the Center’s capacity for exhibitions, art practice, research, and community engagement, while honoring its rich legacy and empowering Black artists.
Q: Who is supporting the project?
A: The project is supported by the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Arts Council, the Driehaus Foundation, Terra Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Commonwealth Edison, and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation (Climate Initiative) as well as other generous private donors.
Q: When is the project expected to be completed?
A: The project is expected to be completed in late 2026.
