Hi all, My experience working with the Near Northwest Arts Council was very positive. The space is fantastic. The staff there are excellent to work with and extremely helpful. I've organized a few political forums there and have been very happy with everything. I definitely hope to be able to work with the people there again.
The Near NorthWest Arts Council moved into a historic building, St. Paul's Church thereby saving the structure as a neighborhood resource for the community and beyond. Organizations of all types as well as individuals have been able to utilize the facility for educational projects, performance and private celebrations. This resource is unique and special. It does not just provide space, it provides a link to the past with ambiance that can not be recreated. Its affordability has brought artists back to the community who were forced out by price and decline of available space. This is advantageous to the artists and to the community. I have watched home schooled children produce Dracula; a group of high school students investigate the history of community; art exhibits in many media; religious services; private parties; film experiences; musical and dance performances; as well as Balkan performers shake the rafters in celebration of a new year, to name just a few. Without NNWAC these offerings would not have been possible and the community would be deprived of the cultural opportunities that see no boundaries of ethnicity, race, religion, age or sexual orientation. NNWAC continues to be a vital unique asset to Wicker Park and vital unique resource to a much greater geographic community. To be able to continue these services, they need financial and service assistance. Their plans are large and though their heart is large their purse is small. It behooves all who believe in community to engage in their success. The building and the organization are gems that we can not afford to lose.
Attending plays, art and photo exhibitions, the Chicago International Music and Film festival and the Nelson Algren annual event. Tended bar.
I' was an artist in the Wicker Park area when I encountered nnwac in 1985-86. I was to develop a long term relationship with them and can say, after whats now been twenty years, that I would not have been able to continue as an artist had it not been for nnwac's help in providing space, attention, advertising and a venue for my productions. They have made a tremendous contribution to the community and continue to provide help to the under served, not the over exposed. We seem to live in two worlds.. one of high priced art venues completely devoted to the high profile media friendly types, and then another world where those of us who scramble for an arts existance turn to orgnaisations like nnwac. They have been the life line for so many of us- time I thanked them publicly. Warren Leming
When the venue where I had been presenting poetry on the 1st Friday of every month went belly up and I needed a new place, NNWAC stepped up and offered me space at no cost. I didn't even miss one 1st Friday show. That's more than just community, that's family. Music, poetry, visual arts, theater, you name it and NNWAC helps make it happen on Chicago's near north side. I recently had to step back and NNWAC is working every bit as closely with the new host. NNWAC is aces.