Chicago Arts + Industry Commons has advanced an innovative approach to cultural development in the South Side’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. The work reactivated and redeveloped an existing network of underused sites in this majority-Black neighborhood, transforming them into civic and cultural assets including Stony Island Arts Bank, Kenwood Gardens and St. Laurence Arts Incubator. The sites generate clustered and coordinated civic activity, enhanced public access and involvement, and increased support for a growing community of artists. By establishing world-class destinations in a strong, vibrant community harmed by generations of disinvestment and discriminatory public policies, Chicago’s efforts have bolstered opportunities for people previously excluded from the city’s economic growth while also creating spaces of creative exploration.
