MARWEN’S ART FAIR EXPANDS TO 4 DAYS AND ADDS NEW YOUTH-LED VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

Chicago-native artist Hebru Brantley and Snap, Inc’s CMO Kenny Mitchell among several creative leaders in conversation with Chicago’s young artists as part of first-ever virtual Art Fair

Marwen’s Virtual Art Fair runs from November 12-15 online at 1cau.se/apV

(Chicago, IL – October 27, 2020) Marwen’s annual Art Fair returns with a new twist! Kicking off Thursday, November 12 and running four days through Sunday, November 15, Marwen’s first-ever virtual Art Fair will feature an auction of 200+ pieces of original artwork by 70+ artists from our talented community of young people, teaching artists, alumni, and staff from across Chicago and beyond. Guests can register for free, bid on work, buy a curated event box of locally sourced goods, and participate in live programming at 1cau.se/apV.

In addition to the auction, there will be four days of art making demonstrations, virtual tours, and artist conversations created and led by Chicago young people. On Saturday, November 14, 5:30-7:00 pm, Marwen will showcase a live event with young artists, culture makers, and creative leaders, including Hebru Brantley (Artist and creator of Nevermore Park), Kenny Mitchell (Chief Marketing Officer of Snap Inc.), and Jordan Seaberry (Marwen Alumni, Artist and Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at the Nonviolence Institute). Tune in live at 1cau.se/apV.

PHOTO: Featured speakers Hebru Brantley, Kenny Mitchell, and Jordan Seaberry

“We are excited to open our virtual doors to support local artists, showcase youth-led programming, and uplift the power of art to provide healing, hope, and pathways,” said Akilah Halley, Marwen alumna and Executive Director. “Designed and led by young people, all Art Fair programming will shine a light on their many talents.”  

“Youth art programs are near and dear to my heart, especially in my hometown,” shared artist Hebru Brantley. “I am happy to support organizations that are doing great things to empower young artists and Marwen is one of those organizations.”

The auction will showcase original artwork, including photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, home decor, plushies, and more. All proceeds go directly to the artists (75%) and Marwen's no-cost arts programming for Chicago youth (25%).

PHOTO: Details of artwork by Davita Miranda (alumna), Philip Dembinski (teaching artist), Tracey A. Zavala (teaching artist), Erin Miller (alumna)

Guests will be able to preview artwork, create bid notifications, learn more about the 70+ artists participating, and discover more ways to support Marwen. When the auction goes live on November 12, guests can bid on items, “buy out” an item, and make a donation to Marwen. 

ABOUT MARWEN

Since 1987, Marwen has educated and inspired young people from Chicago’s under-resourced communities and schools through the visual arts. Marwen provides free visual art courses, college planning, and career development programs to 6-12th graders from across the city. For more information visit marwen.org

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MARWEN RECIPIENT OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS (NEA) CARES ACT FUNDING

The 33-year-old creative youth development organization was one of 855 organizations nationwide and one of 12 in Chicago to receive funds. 

(Chicago, IL – August 10, 2020) The National Endowment for the Arts announced the recipients  for direct funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Marwen was one of 855 organizations nationwide to receive a portion of $44.5 million to support staff salaries, fees for artists or contractual personnel, and facilities costs. Marwen’s CARES Act funds, which total $50,000, will go directly to paying Teaching Artists and young people.

“The impact of COVID19 has reinforced the equity issues disproportionately affecting artists,” said Akilah Halley, Marwen’s Executive Director and alumna. “As artists search for resources to sustain themselves and their communities during this time of extreme uncertainty, we are reminded of the securities afforded to some but not all. How can we support our local artists that so often find themselves in positions of hardship?”

“Given the role that community-based artists hold as change agents and conveners in our communities, Marwen is investing in our community of teaching artists, while continuing to provide high quality arts programming to young people across the city,” added Alexandra Field, Marwen’s Director of Development. “While our building may be closed and social distancing guidelines continue to deter our previously planned programming, Marwen is building a portfolio of responsive and adaptive artistic engagement opportunities.”

In keeping with the tenets of Creative Youth Development, Marwen’s summer virtual programs were co-created by a cohort of seven Teaching Artists and young people, in collaboration with staff. Partnering with young people to co-design and experiment on our digital engagement through a community-based approach will lead to programs that deliver meaningful impact for our students during a tumultuous time.

While the digital sphere is new to Marwen, we are committed to providing artistic opportunities that create financial sustainability for our community of Teaching Artists and continual artistic engagement for our young people.

About the CARES Act

Grants of $50,000 were offered to 846 organizations while nine local arts agencies will receive $250,000 each to further award to arts organizations in their area. The National Endowment for the Arts received more than 3,100 eligible applications requesting $157 million for the $45 million available in direct assistance. 

“All of us at the National Endowment for the Arts are keenly aware that arts organizations across the country are hurting, struggling, and trying to survive and that our supply of funding does not come close to meeting the demand for assistance,” said Arts Endowment Chairman Mary Anne Carter. “That said, I am enormously proud of the over-and-above efforts of the Arts Endowment staff to swiftly and professionally manage such a large amount of additional work in a relatively short period of time on behalf of the American public.” 

These awardees represent the diverse nature of arts organizations around the country. Overall funding is divided nearly evenly between small, medium, and large arts organizations. Arts and culture are a key component of the U.S. economy that contribute $877.8 billion, or 4.5 percent, to the nation’s gross domestic product in 2017 and employ over 5 million wage‐and‐salary workers who collectively earned $405 billion. This funding will help support those jobs and those nonprofit organizations during this time of great need so that arts and culture will persevere as a significant contributor to the American economy. See full press release here.

About Marwen

Since 1987, Marwen has educated and inspired young people from Chicago’s under-resourced communities and schools through the visual arts. Marwen provides free visual art courses, college planning, and career development programs to 6-12th graders from across the city. For more information visit marwen.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.

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February 25, 2020 -- St. Jane Chicago Hotel announced today its charity partnership program with three Chicago area nonprofit organizations, including Jackson Chance Foundation (JCF), the Juvenile Protective Association (JPA) and Marwen. The program comprises guest and employee initiatives that ladder up to the hotel’s greater mission of inspiring change within the local community, while building awareness and increasing funding. 

As part of the partnership, St. Jane will purchase original artwork created by Marwen young artists. The pieces will be permanently exhibited in 16 of St. Jane’s corner suites. Marwen will also participate in “Lunch & Learn” programs to educate the hotel team on the organization and how to become more involved. Employees will also be given opportunities to volunteer at Marwen and the other  nonprofits throughout the calendar year. To round out the partnership, St. Jane will offer complimentary meeting space and hotel rooms, along with hosted board meetings and elevated auction packages for fundraising events.

“We’re proud to partner with these three impactful organizations and empower our guests and employees to make positive social changes within our community,” says Carrie Meghie, Owner of St. Jane Chicago Hotel. “St. Jane is a deeply-rooted philanthropic member of the city and these partnerships further cement our mission to support local causes through fundraising and collaboration.”

St. Jane embraces the arts and culture that defines Chicago, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Jane Addams – a pioneering Chicagoan, civil activist and the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. This announcement is the beginning of three, long-term partnerships thoughtfully designed with the non-profit organizations.

For more information about the partnership, please visit https://stjanehotel.com/charity/partners/. Media may contact Samantha Lera at slera@agencyh5.com or 312.374.8577.