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Empowering South Side Teens through Arts Education

September 23, 2025By University Communications
Design Apprenticeship Program Project with Healthy Hood Chicago
Photo by Anjali Pinto

The University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life Education is now kicking off the fall sessions for its transformative fall programs—Backstage Production Program (BSP), Design Apprenticeship Program (DAP), Teen Arts Council (TAC), and Choreographic Arts Program (CAP)—all designed for South Side youth. These paid arts programs cultivate creativity, social development, and leadership, helping teens both discover and create their place in the world.

Arts + Public Life programs offer hands-on, mentor-driven experiences in design, production, choreography, and arts leadership. Students not only gain technical skills but also engage in meaningful community impact and build connections across Chicago’s vibrant arts scene.

Student Success: Creating Pathways and Opening Doors

Alumni of these programs have gone on to pursue careers in the arts:

  • Elijah Clyne (BSP ’21): After graduating from the BSP program, Elijah received an internship with ETA Theater and employment with Deeply Rooted Dance Chicago and MMPACT theater. Today, he works as a Production Assistant for APL and is studying film at Columbia College Chicago.

  • Alaina Martin (DAP ’21-24): Now pursuing urban planning at Western Illinois University, Alaina helped build custom furniture for Arts Lawn guests during Homecoming as part of Gertie’s Next Stop Chicago. She attributes her chosen career path to the skills and confidence gained in DAP.

This Summer’s Community Impact

  • Design Apprenticeship Program Project with Healthy Hood Chicago: DAP apprentices designed and constructed unique storage solutions for Healthy Hood’s community garden in Pilsen, directly benefitting local residents and showcasing the power of design in civic engagement. Explore the photo gallery.

  • Teen Arts Showcase: TAC members collaborated with Mahogany @ 50 to create striking 2D and 3D fiber and textile art inspired by the intersections of fashion, politics, space, and place—themes woven into the fabric of Black culture and the Chicago arts scene. Explore the photo gallery.

By connecting youth with paid opportunities, mentorship, and creative networks, Arts + Public Life Education invests in the future of Chicago’s South Side. These programs pave the way for college, careers, and a lifelong commitment to artistic and civic engagement.

How You Can Support

  • Encourage South Side teens in your network to apply for future programs. Learn more about these programs on APL’s website.

  • Share program info with local partners and youth organizations.

  • Celebrate our students’ successes by attending our Teen Arts Showcase on Dec 9 Showcase from 6-8 pm at the Green Line Performing Arts Center.

  • Follow program updates on Arts + Public Life’s social media!