We’re Making a Difference: Our Mission in Numbers

78%

Percentage of young people are from low-income families

88%

Percentage of young people identify as BIPOC

100%

Percentage of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods served

Become a Marwen Student and Ignite Your Creativity

New Student Open House & Registration

Learn about Marwen, tour the studios, meet staff, and register for free art classes.

Close up of a young artist drawing comic book panels.

See What Marwen is All About

See an overview of our courses and programs throughout the year.

Choose a Course That Inspires You

Explore a wide variety of free, visual arts courses taught by Chicago artists.

Explore
Student Work

Latest Updates

Young artists showing off their artmaking skills as part of Marwen's Spring Break Workshops
Latest News Spring Break

Marwen’s 2026 Spring Break Workshops

Marwen's META Cohort poses as a group at the Spring 2026 orientation meeting.
Marwen Stories META

Welcome, META Cohort 2026!

Young Artist Samara poses for the camera, covered in paint!
Marwen Stories

Meet Samara Molina: Oil Painter and Upcycler

Upcoming Events

The Marwen and Pensole Lewis Footwear Design Workshop is being held on March 4, 2026 from 5-7:30pm
Wednesday. March 4, 2026 5:00 pm–7:30 pm

Footwear Design Workshop (Marwen x Pensole Lewis)

MICA Rep Sophia Belkin will meet with youth to review their portfolios on March 7, 2026 from Noon to 1:30pm
Saturday. March 7, 2026 12:00 pm–1:30 pm

Portfolio Review with MICA

Marwen's Career Fair will be held on April 4, 2026 from Noon - 2pm
Saturday. April 4, 2026 12:00 pm–2:00 pm

Marwen Career Fair

Saturday. May 2, 2026 11:00 am–12:30 pm

Marwen New Student Open House [Summer 2026]

Stories

“I’m writing a story in Marwen’s comic class now. Then I’m going to make my characters come to life in the 3-D printing class. Next term, I’ll take filmmaking to animate the whole thing. I have plans. I can do everything here.”

Marwen Student, Middle School

Support What We Do

What began as a one-room art studio in 1987 now serves more than 1,000 young people each year. This work is made possible by our community of supporters including alumni, families, and friends. We hope you will join us and consider making a gift of any amount to ensure we can continue our work for the next generation.