Arts & Culture Programs

The Chicago Park District provides Arts & Culture Programs for all ages. Our experienced instructors and committed community partners offer guidance and open studios for a variety of mediums and skill levels. In addition, the Park District partners with renowned local arts organizations for programs, special events, and performances. At Chicago Park District Cultural Centers, you can find cultural programming including classes in art, music, dance and more; exciting events and unique cultural spaces. These facilities are located in neighborhoods throughout the city, making it easy to expand your cultural horizons. As part of the Culture in My Neighborhood initiative, a $40 million capital investment will be made to the City’s network of 15 cultural centers, upgrading their theater, music, dance, and visual art presentation capabilities. 

Programs

Image
Pencils in a mug, notepad, and potted plant on a desk.
Image
Two smiling ballerinas in white tutus pose before a cultural center backdrop.

Dance

 

Image
A hand picks a colored pencil from a container of various colored pencils.
Image
Two smiling children at a table with a Hamilton Park banner they decorated.

Drawing

 

Image
Young girl sitting on a blanket reading a children's book.
Image
Violinists playing outdoors.

Music

 

Image
Group of people painting on small canvases at a long table.
Image
Photo prints drying on mesh rack.
Image
Man using squeegee to create silkscreen print.
Image
Two smiling people work on clay projects at a table covered in newspaper and small sculptures.
Image
Children proudly display their colorful tie-dye creations.
Image
Students perform a musical number on stage.

Theater

 

Events

83 Events

TRACE Fall Internship Opportunity at Austin Town Hall

TRACE Fall Internship Opportunity at Hamilton

Inferno's Ignition Music Production Course at Austin TH

Christian Larumbe: Refugio In The Parks at McKinley

The Pieces by Aloft Circus Arts at Touhy-Herbert

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Movies in the Parks at Eckhart

Movies in the Parks at Wicker

Dance to Chinatown! at Armour Square

The Pieces by Aloft Circus Arts at Valley Forge

Folklorico in the Park at Brands

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Movies in the Parks at Austin Town Hall

Movies in the Parks at Eugene Field

Movies in the Parks at Holstein

Contra Dance to Baba Yaga's Stew at Horner

Little Village Skate Party & Film Screening at Piotrowski

Movies in the Parks at Indian Boundary

Books and Beats at Dearborn

Nutcracker Audition - Tot - Class A at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Tot - Class B at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Tot - Class C at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Youth - Class A at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Youth - Class B at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Youth - Class C at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Teen/Preteen - Class A at McFetridge

Nutcracker Audition - Teen/Preteen - Class B at McFetridge

Yoga & Art in the park with Lovelee Being at Eckhart

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Nahui Ollin Aztec Dance at Berger

Englewood Jazz Festival at Hamilton

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Empowerment and Connection Through Piñatas at Calumet

Englewood Jazz Festival at Hamilton

Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Shedd

Folklorico in the Park at Calumet

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Proud and Loud: Disability Art and Music at Garfield

Englewood Jazz Festival at Hamilton

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Gage

America: Songs of Protest and Freedom at Washington

We The People at Dunbar

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Monday Night Solo Series: Fat Juliet at Berger

Community Lovelines at Austin Town Hall

The Playground at Taylor-Lauridsen

The Playground at Graver

Chicago Astronomer at Graver

Movies in the Parks at Athletic Field

Beatdown Sound System's Vibrations of Freedom at Ping Tom

Ikebana for All at Lincoln

The Playground at Mt. Greenwood

Walking History: Exploring Chicago Parks at Humboldt

Chicago Full Moon Jam at Palmisano

Nahui Ollin Aztec Dance at West Lawn

Kitt Lyles’ Arabic Jazz Project at Douglass

Christian Larumbe: Refugio In The Parks at Calumet

World Music Festival Chicago at Humboldt

City-Wide Symphony Orchestra Concert at Jefferson

Nahui Ollin Aztec Dance at West Lawn

Transilience: Chicago Trans Pride Festival at Eckhart

Contra Dance to Baba Yaga's Stew at Pottawattomie

The Heart of the Story at Douglass

Jazz City at Clarendon

Campfire Horrors at Bosley

Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration at Harrison

Yves Francois Rocambu Jazz at Cragin

Chicago Latino Dance Festival at Humboldt

Fiesta Mexicana: Interactive Family Show at Bogan

Chicago Astronomer at Northerly Island

We The People at Douglass

Fiesta Mexicana: Interactive Family Show at Pasteur

Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Seward

Joel Hall Dancers & Center: NextGen at Douglass

Mitote Día De Los Muertos in La Ronda Parakata at Burnham

Beatmaker's Toolbox at Steelworkers

Walking History: Exploring Chicago Parks at Palmisano

Sock Hop at Warren

Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Douglass

Hoop Dancing with Starr Chief Eagle at Indian Boundary

Bollywood Groove Indian Dances & Stories at Seward

Dancin' Fridays - Salsa Social at Humboldt

Jazz City at Hamilton

Student Art Fair at Lincoln

Facilities

Image
Camera icon
Image
Carpentry tools: hammer, saw, and speed square.