Art teaches my kids to trust themselves, to problem-solve, and to discover who they are before the world tells them who they need to be.
—Marwen Parent
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
When I wrote to you last year, the ripple effects of federal decisions were just beginning to reach Chicago’s neighborhoods. Since then, the strain has deepened. Economic uncertainty remains, inequities persist, and once trusted spaces feel less safe. Young people experience it all as they continue the work of growing up.
And yet, inside Marwen each day, a different story of steadiness and joy unfolds. Our studios are places of welcome, safety, and practice. Places where belonging is intentional and creativity is valued. Where art is not enrichment, but essential—a way of building judgment, confidence, and agency. Read the full letter>
Akilah Halley
Executive Director
Marwen Stories
Since 1987, Marwen has been a place where young people discover what they can make—and who they can become. Art is at the center, but it’s only the beginning; there’s also practice, skill-building, encouragement, curiosity, and room to grow! You can see nearly 40 years of Marwen’s joy and community reflected in the numbers below.
Testimonials & Video
At Marwen, my children feel seen, supported, and encouraged to explore who they are. I can see the difference: they’re more confident, more curious, and they talk about their work in ways that connects creativity to real life.”
—Marwen Parent
“It’s a great community. You can make a lot of friends here and find a lot of cool opportunities for yourself.”
—Marwen Student
At Marwen, I discovered my voice as an artist. I’m now majoring in Art Direction in Advertising and will graduate in 2026.
—Marwen Alum
I absolutely loved my Artward Bound trip and will remember it for the rest of forever.
—Marwen Student
I have a better understanding of how the future might look...About schools, brand building, money management, and finding jobs that make me happy.
—Marwen Student
Marwen students are great! I can tell they love being here.
—Teaching Artist
MISSION
Marwen educates and inspires young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community.
I MADE ART...AND I MADE FRIENDS!
Marwen Student
Holiday 2019 video highlighting our mission at work—young people sculpting, painting, drawing, and more.
Paintbrush Ball 2022 video featuring students speaking to how Marwen has influenced their life.
Marwen student, Eric, takes over our feed in 2020 to share a day in his life of art making.
Highlights By Year
Over the arc of the pandemic, Marwen faced unprecedented challenges. Like many others, we had to daily redesign and reimagine our work in order to best serve our young people and families—all while staying on mission under financial stress. Yet, we are here. Resilient and committed to the future. The information below presents highlights from 2019-2022 and how Marwen has persevered.
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2019: RECOGNIZE
• Marwen responds to the 14-day long CPS strike by providing full time classes 5-days/week.
• Art Fair achieves record-breaking sales in support of programs.
• Marwen partners with the Night Ministry to have young people create a 20’ mural on the side of their Chicago headquarters.
• Enrollment: 2020
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2020: RECALIBRATE
• Covid halts all in-person classes at Marwen. Programs are quickly redesigned to be online and supplies are provided to remote students.
• Online classes focus not only on art but also community building.
• Marwen’s 33rd Birthday is celebrated with cupcake deliveries across the city.
• Programs are launched to assist instructors during the pandemic.
• Enrollment: 893
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2021: REEMERGE
• Courses develop into a hybrid model with classes held both in-person and online .
• Forever Changed talk hosted on the intersection of youth, arts, & social justice.
• Marwen offers vaccinations for students, staff, family, and neighbors.
• Paid internships and commissions provide income to students as Marwen continues to reemerge from the pandemic.
• Enrollment: 718
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2022: REACTIVATE
• Classes with students attending in person and online continue.
• Marwen doubles the amount of courses offered to young people from 2021.
• Marwen completes and implements an organization-wide racial equity program.
• Art Fair and Paintbrush Ball return to in-person events.
• Enrollment: 859
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2019–2022 Theory of Impact
Marwen programs are designed to:
• Build a community of peers and adults
• Learn artistic techniques with context
• Make art individually and collaboratively
• Access employment and leadership rolesThrough participation, young people:
• Are seen, heard, valued, and uplifted
• Hone artistic skills and expression
• Expand imagination and problem solving
• Build work experience, ambition, and pathways
Moving Forward
Marwen has always been a wellspring of resilience and creativity. However, the scale and urgency of challenges facing us today require that we rethink what has made us successful in the past to ensure we have a strong, viable future. We’re meeting young people where they are and where they’re going by:
Invigorating programming for students by expanding course offerings and building creative sector career development through the incorporation of specific skills into each studio.
Propelling enrollment to full capacity by building new relationships in schools, harnessing the strength of community partnerships, and addressing transportation concerns.
Leveraging our robust alumni network for connections and opportunities.
By the Numbers: 2019–2022
WHO WE SERVE: Our community is composed of young people in grades 6-12 who live in Chicago and experience financial and systemic barriers to an arts education and/or access to post-secondary opportunities.
• Percentage of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods served: 100%
• Percentage of young people from low-income families: 95%
• Percentage of young people who identify as BIPOC: 75%
• Percentage of young people homeschooled: 18%
• Percentage of young people in public school: 75%
ENROLLMENT: Young people have the power to create and imagine the future. We strive to increase course offerings and enrollment each year.
• Total enrollment: 4490
• Total number of unique students: 2635
PROGRAMMING: Marwen courses, educational and career counseling, and paid internships provide young people with pathways to a thriving adulthood.
• Course and workshops offered: 326
• Class hours provided: 24,450
• College and Career counseling sessions provided: 300+
Financial Statements 2019–2022
From the way we steward donations to the solar panels on our roof, Marwen is dedicated to a sustainable future. We have a civic soul and are committed to Chicago—but most of all, we’re committed to the young people and families we serve. The numbers below add precision to how we make our work happen, who's involved in our story, and what Marwen offers.
Marwen Studios & Spaces
Once a printing facility, Marwen’s building was renovated in 2015 to provide young people with inspiring, professionally equipped studios unmatched in Chicago. Ten light-filled studios plus additional flex spaces, family areas, and exhibition galleries are spread over three floors for individuals to use as they explore their creative powers.
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Technology
STUDIO ONE
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Technology 3D Printing
STUDIO TWO
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Technology
STUDIO THREE
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Painting and Drawing
STUDIO FOUR
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Multimedia
STUDIO FIVE
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Ceramics
STUDIO SIX
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Print Media
STUDIO SEVEN
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Fashion & Fiber
STUDIO EIGHT
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Portfolio Resources
LAB ONE
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Photo and Lighting
LAB TWO
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Exhibition Gallery
FIRST FLOOR
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Lounge & Gallery Area
FIRST FLOOR
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Marwen Exterior
NEAR CTA TRAIN AND BUS LINES
From 2019–2022, Marwen provided nearly 2700 young people with high-quality visual arts courses as well as college planning and career counseling sessions. Because of you, all of this is offered at no cost to the individuals and families we serve. Thank you. We’re so grateful for your support and belief in our work.
List of donors 2019–2022
Supporting Marwen
