Marwen

Marwen educates and inspires under-served young people through the visual arts.

Organization:

Marwen is a not for profit organization (501-(C)3) founded in 1987

ANNUAL BUDGET: approximately $2.5 million

FULL TIME STAFF: 19

TEACHING ARTISTS: 70 per year

BOARD: 37 members

FUNDING SOURCES:

• individuals (30%)
• special events (29%)
• foundations (17%)
• corporations (10%)
• investment income (8%)
• earned income (4%)
• government grants (2%)

Programs we provide (after school and on weekends):

ART COURSES AND DISCIPLINES

• Painting
• Drawing
• Ceramics
• Sculpture
• Photography
• Time-based media
• Fashion and fiber
• Design arts
• Printmaking
• Interdisciplinary

COLLEGE AND CAREER PROGRAMS

• college and arts exploration study trips
• employment experiences and internships
• individual college counseling
• scholarships reserved exclusively for eligible Marwen students
• sustained support in college from alumni mentors and Marwen staff

THE MARWEN INSTITUTE

• Provides professional development for Marwen teaching artists
• Leads Marwen’s program evaluation and student assesment
• Coordinates participation in the broader arts education community

EXHIBITIONS

• 10+ exhibitions per year in 2 galleries

Student Course Information:

TYPICAL CLASS SIZE: 15

TEACHER/STUDENT RATIO: 1:8

TYPICAL COURSE DURATION: 2.5 hours per week for 8 week terms; 4 terms annually (summer term courses meet each weekday for 2 weeks)

People:

STUDENTS

• Between 700 and 800 Chicago students in grades 6–12 account for more than 2,400 enrollments each year
• From more than 200 different schools, the vast majority of which are Chicago Public Schools
• From 55 of Chicago’s 57 zip codes
• Almost 90% from households with incomes that are low to very low according to federal poverty guidlines
• Racial and Ethnic Diversity:
  ° Hispanic/Latino (44%)
  ° African-American/Black (29%)
  ° Caucasian/White (13%)
  ° Multi-ethnic (7%)
  ° Asian/Pacific Islander (6%)
  ° Native American/Alaskan Native (1%)

ALUMNI

• Hundreds of alumni are actively involved as
  ° teaching artists and assistants
  ° exhibition artists or curators
  ° mentors to recent graduates
  ° donors and volunteers

• 91% of Marwen seniors in the class of 2011 were accepted to college
• The class of 2011 currently attends around 35 schools nationwide

ARTISTS

• Paid employment as teaching artists and assistants
• Exhibition opportunities
• Professional development opportunities

FAMILIES

• Marwen families receive support and resources to help navigate the process of applying for and enrolling in college
• Families and students receive personalized support as they choose Marwen courses and workshops
• More than 300 families supported Marwen with over $10,000 in voluntary donations in 2011

(Figures based on 2011 statistics.)