We invest in the power of young artists!
Marwen exists to educate and inspire young people to nurture their growth and build their futures through art and community. Our classes and programs are designed to provide a nurturing environment for our students to experiment with new art forms, build new friendships, and craft relationships with caring adults and peers.
Rooted in the core values of creative youth development (youth voice, racial and social justice, collective action) our programs aim to cultivate youth-centered, supportive, and collaborative environments and communities to facilitate relevant visual arts programming with Chicago’s young people.
At Marwen, we believe:
- Young people have critical and vital stories to tell.
- Young people have the power to imagine and create our future.
- Art is a tool for connection, healing, growth, and justice.
- Artists drive and create social change.
- Access to art and creativity is an essential human right and need.
At Marwen, young artists of all experience levels:
- Access leadership and employment opportunities.
- Build a supportive and creative community with other young artists.
- Learn about art as a vehicle for social change.
- Collaborate with teaching artists.
- Explore an array of artistic techniques.
- Access materials and art studio spaces.
At Marwen, we offer:
- No-cost visual arts classes for Chicago 6-12th graders in Photography, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Film, Animation, Digital and Game Design, Comics, Illustration, Sculpture, Fashion, Fiber, and more.
- Access to modern artmaking amenities, including 8 studios, 2 labs, 3 galleries, an on-site kiln, and darkroom.
- Free art supplies in every class.
- Hands-on workshops in addition to classes.
- Family-friendly events and 3 term-based exhibition celebrations annually.
- Commissioned based opportunities for 16-18 year old artists.
- Paid summer internship program.
- A city-wide network of artists, arts organizations, creative companies, colleges, and universities.
“Marwen has been such a blessing for our family. My children feel safe. They feel seen, supported, and encouraged to explore who they are. At home, I can see the difference: they’re more confident, more curious, and they talk about their work in ways that connect creativity to real life. Art teaches them to trust themselves, to problem-solve, and to discover who they are before the world tells them who they need to be.” – Mykia Miller, Marwen Parent
Watch Mykia`s full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McDY75ZaEmU [link in bio]
Over the past 38 years, Marwen has been shaped by a community of more than 16,000 alumni who have walked through our doors and felt safe enough to share their stories.
Please consider making a gift to Marwen.org/donate before Jan 1 to help provide essential art supplies and community for the next generation of artists! 💜
![“Marwen has been such a blessing for our family. My children feel safe. They feel seen, supported, and encouraged to explore who they are. At home, I can see the difference: they’re more confident, more curious, and they talk about their work in ways that connect creativity to real life. Art teaches them to trust themselves, to problem-solve, and to discover who they are before the world tells them who they need to be.” – Mykia Miller, Marwen Parent
Watch Mykia's full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McDY75ZaEmU [link in bio]
Over the past 38 years, Marwen has been shaped by a community of more than 16,000 alumni who have walked through our doors and felt safe enough to share their stories.
Please consider making a gift to Marwen.org/donate before Jan 1 to help provide essential art supplies and community for the next generation of artists! 💜](https://www.marwen.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
❄️THANK YOU❄️ to everyone who braved the cold and brought so much ✨JOY✨ to Marwen to celebrate our Fall Exhibition! We had so much fun with you — seeing amazing new work by Chicago’s 6-12th graders, drinking hot cocoa & marshmallows, making ornaments, getting spooked in our haunted house, and celebrating each other. 💜 Share your pics & tag us!
We wanted to share a special shout-out and congratulations to Owen Esling for being selected by the Chicago Community Trust to create their 2025 holiday card! The Trust held an open call for Marwen young artists to create a Chicago-themed holiday card, and Owen`s work was just what they were looking for. Great job, Owen!
"For many young people from marginalized communities, the idea of new possibilities may feel limited or out of reach. Marwen creates spaces where curiosity can thrive and where possibilities become expansive. Your support is far more than a donation to an arts program. It is an investment in the creative and life skill development of Chicago youth."
As we approach the end of a year filled with creativity, warmth, and joy here at Marwen, we want to share a special note from our Executive Director, Akilah Halley.
Read the full letter and make a gift: https://www.marwen.org/letter-from-executive-director/ (link in bio)
Photo by Jesse Greene
“25@833”
Celebrating 25 years at 833 N. Orleans Street
