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
A Word from Akilah Halley
Dear Friends,
This time last year, the ripple effects of federal decisions were just beginning to reach Chicago’s neighborhoods. Since then, the gravity has grown heavier. Economic uncertainty remains, inequities persist, and some trusted spaces feel less safe. Young people navigate it all while they continue the work of growing up—and yet, each day a different story of steadiness and joy unfolds inside Marwen.
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 connection, confidence, and agency. One alum put it simply: “Marwen was the first place I felt free to create without judgment. It gave me tools, language, and a community that believed in me. That sentence holds much of what we do. Read the full letter here >
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
“My Marwen experience inspired my future goals of using art as a way to express myself and find calm during stressful moments.”
—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
First Day of Term: “What Class Are You Taking?”
Young artists discuss their work at the 2025 Art Fair
Art@Work Celebration Day!
By the Numbers
In 2025, Marwen strengthened the systems that protect our mission. The numbers below add precision to who’s involved in our story and how we make our work happen.
• Young people enrolled: 1,243
• Courses offered: 65
• Pathways workshops: 19
• Paid Internship: 48
• Class & Workshop hours: 6,150
• College, Career, Mentoring sessions: 45
• Chicago neighborhoods served: 100%
• Enrolled in public school: 85%
• Homeschooled: 10%
• Families identifying as low income: 83%
• Young people identifying as BIPOC: 85%
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ACCESS & OPPORTUNITY
• Summer enrollment increased by50%.
• Number of courses grew by 19%.
• Exhibitions welcomed more than 1000 attendees.
• Artward Bound returned as an immersive residency with STEAM integration (art, nature, climate justice, & environmental focus) and exposure beyond Chicago.
• Student support deepened, with more one-on-one engagement, stronger skill-building, and exhibitions that reflected young people’s lived experiences.
• A completely new website was launched—friendlier, easier to navigate, and filled with the quietly extraordinary stories found in our studios.
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CONTINUITY & LEADERSHIP
• Marwen’s Emerging Teaching Artist (META) program is now a leadership pipeline. This year, 30% of META’s advanced to Teaching Artist roles and nearly one-third are alumni—proof that Marwen is cultivating its own creative workforce from within.
• Families relaunched the Family Advisory Board, bringing new insights of young people’s experiences.
• The Alumni ReConnect event brought former students together to reminisce, network, and volunteer at Resource Fair, workshops, the Associate Board, & more.
• Our Executive Board hosted a series of “friendraising” events aimed at expanding our audience, growing support, and sharing Marwen with a new generation.
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SAFETY & WELCOME
We’ve always worked to ensure that students feel welcome, but especially in this time of uncertainty, as families carried real worry, safety became paramount. This year, Marwen:
• Implemented clear ICE protocols.
• Held staff trainings to protect young people and themselves.
• Offered remote learning classes when needed.
• Improved tracking of student and family concerns.
We are prepared and attentive, so that young people can exhale, commit to their art, to friendships, and to being present. Our strong foundation matters.
Nurturing the Future
We’re looking ahead to 2027, when Marwen turns 40—a chance to celebrate, and to reflect. What began in 1987 lives on in the confidence of young people at the center of their own work: in classrooms, in risks taken, in moments of real joy. Sixteen thousand alumni carry that forward, alongside the support that allows us to reach more Chicago students each year.
Planning for our 40th anniversary by expanding reach and access, honoring a legacy in the making, celebrating our community, and building a strong foundation for Marwen’s next chapter.
Welcoming more students into our studios.
Reaching out to additional schools and communities across the city.
Increasing studio capacity to meet demand.
Growing commission other paid opportunities for high school students.
Expanding Artward Bound to include two residencies: one at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin studios in Wisconsin and one at his Fallingwater studios in Pennsylvania.
Broadening use of our CYD toolkits to deepen design, evaluation, and equity.
Formalizing alumni leadership pathways.
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, Laser Cutting
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
SInce 1987, Marwen has provided more than 17,000 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 grateful for your support and belief in our work.
List of donors 2025
Supporting Marwen
