The Chicago Public School (CPS) system is the nation’s fourth largest school district, serving over 325,000 students in 634 schools. Further, CPS predominantly serves students of color, with 70% of CPS students reported to come from low-income households. Research underscores that students from disinvested communities benefit significantly from arts programming, which fosters critical thinking, community building, and civic engagement (Source: NEA, Arts Education in America).
Artist-founded in 2017, Artists in Public Schools (formerly CPS Lives) was created by photographer Suzette Bross to integrate artists and cultural producers into CPS through paid artist residencies. Artists in Public Schools offers these artist residencies to CPS at zero-to-low cost, ensuring accessible collaboration between the artists, the students, and the school community. Since its inception, Artists in Public Schools has transformed public school environments into vibrant hubs of creativity, cultivating opportunities for professional, working, and emerging artists to connect with CPS students and faculty to create meaningful art experiences.
CPS Lives seeks to expand our knowledge of the space students inhabit through the work of our artists produced in the public schools. The artists seek to enlarge our understanding of the places students inhabit and their worldview through the use of cultural processes. How public spaces are enriched and developed through the presence of visual production increases the level of the students’ cultural literacy and becomes palpable to the larger civic community, both politically and culturally. This program creates ties to local communities through the exhibitions in their library branches and community centers. By creating this relationship in a public space we come to understand the complexity and importance of the public school system and the increasing importance of these public sites, their value, their diversity.
We want to hear from you! Please feel free to email us…
The Chicago Public School (CPS) system is the nation’s fourth largest school district, serving over 325,000 students in 634 schools. Further, CPS predominantly serves students of color, with 70% of CPS students reported to come from low-income households. Research underscores that students from disinvested communities benefit significantly from arts programming, which fosters critical thinking, community building, and civic engagement (Source: NEA, Arts Education in America).
Artist-founded in 2017, Artists in Public Schools (formerly CPS Lives) was created by photographer Suzette Bross to integrate artists and cultural producers into CPS through paid artist residencies. Artists in Public Schools offers these artist residencies to CPS at zero-to-low cost, ensuring accessible collaboration between the artists, the students, and the school community. Since its inception, Artists in Public Schools has transformed public school environments into vibrant hubs of creativity, cultivating opportunities for professional, working, and emerging artists to connect with CPS students and faculty to create meaningful art experiences.
CPS Lives seeks to expand our knowledge of the space students inhabit through the work of our artists produced in the public schools. The artists seek to enlarge our understanding of the places students inhabit and their worldview through the use of cultural processes. How public spaces are enriched and developed through the presence of visual production increases the level of the students’ cultural literacy and becomes palpable to the larger civic community, both politically and culturally. This program creates ties to local communities through the exhibitions in their library branches and community centers. By creating this relationship in a public space we come to understand the complexity and importance of the public school system and the increasing importance of these public sites, their value, their diversity.
We want to hear from you! Please feel free to email us…
CPS Lives Announces Rebrand as “Artists in Public Schools”
New name heralds an expanded mission to amplify the stories of Chicago Public Schools
CHICAGO, November 20, 2024 – CPS Lives, a non-profit that creates artist residencies in Chicago Public Schools to provide art experiences for students while revealing positive stories of public education, announces a rebrand to “Artists in Public Schools.” “After six years, we want to bring our mission, ‘Chicago artists sharing stories of Chicago Public Schools,’ to life as we expand our visibility and impact through expansive experiences in the nation’s fourth-largest school district,” said Suzette Bross, Founder and Executive Director. “Artists in Public Schools” directly reflects the mission and function of our organization, providing exciting growth opportunities.”
Artists in Public Schools was founded as CPS Lives in 2018 by Bross, a Chicago native, artist, and philanthropist working with underserved and underrepresented communities. The organization’s unique model of embedding professional artists within schools was inspired by her vision to counter negative narratives about public education with positive stories created through the arts. Artists learn about each school’s culture from its students and educators, informing their resulting artwork, be it painting, photography, writing, sculpture or other mediums. Final artworks are shared in exhibitions across the city.
What Sets Artists in Public Schools Apart in Chicago: Our unique model is a win-win-win for Chicago Public Schools, local artists, and students.
For SchoolsWe offer CPS schools unique opportunities for differentiation and recognition, with principals able to highlight their professionally guided, culturally rooted projects that capture each school’s identities and showcase student talent. Our initiatives connect schools with diverse artists and enhance visibility among key influencers and supporters.
For ArtistsWe support local emerging and established artists through paid residencies, empowering artists to curate community-driven arts experiences and projects tailored to each school—rejecting pre-packaged curriculum in favor of deeply personal, relevant art experiences. Artists gain exposure through exhibits at local galleries and events like The Design Museum of Chicago, EXPO CHICAGO, and Heaven Gallery, cementing their presence in Chicago’s arts scene.
For StudentsStudents gain confidence, discover their talents, and contribute to public art that celebrates their communities. Through Artists in Public Schools, they collaborate with professional artists, gaining exposure to exhibitions and experiencing the value of self-expression. Additionally, the program provides students with showcase-worthy work and valuable experiences that enhance their opportunities for private scholarships and selective high school admissions.
Since its founding, Artists in Public Schools has impacted 51,000 students in 86 schoolsand61 neighborhoods across all socioeconomic backgrounds, partnering with 80+ local professional artists to make positive art experiences and storytelling accessible to Chicago children.
An Expanded Mission: Artists in Public Schools also announces its expanded mission and new strategic initiatives.
Increased Community Impact: Artists in Public Schools plans to add ten new schools and paid artist residencies to its roster each year, expanding its reach to more students, schools, and professional artists.
Public Art Exhibitions in Civic Spaces: While Artists in Public Schools’ creative storytelling can be seen in galleries and at art shows, a new goal is expanding to Chicago’s public spaces to provide more viewing access and visibility.
New Corporate and Arts Partnerships: Artists in Public Schools aims to secure sustainable support to fund its program and create more artist/school collaborations by partnering with Chicago corporations and arts leaders. With increased funding, the program could be implemented in additional cities.
Artists in Public Schools is positioned for growth as we continue to create win-win-win experiences for students, artists, and schools across Chicago Public Schools, now with renewed clarity and focus,” said Bross. About Artists in Public SchoolsArtists in Public Schools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates artist residencies in Chicago Public Schools that provide expansive experiences for students and professional artists. We achieve this through paid residencies within the schools, creating a collaborative partnership among professional artists, students, and educators.Through the artworks each residency facilitates, Artists in Public Schools reveals powerful and positive stories of Chicago Public Schools across all socioeconomic backgrounds. These stories are brought to the public in exhibitions designed to counter negative narratives about public education.
Since 2018, Artists in Public Schools has impacted 51,000 students in 86 schools and 61 neighborhoods, partnering with 80+ local professional artists.To learn more, visit our website: www.artistsinpublicschools.org
