Pointers To Help With Finding Chicago Artist Resources


By Kerri Stout


Residents of the windy city are very fortunate to have a plethora of choices when it comes to learning about the local arts scene. This guide to Chicago artist resources provides some simple tips for finding out more. In fact, the variety of museums, art schools and galleries in the local area means that there is no shortage of tools to help in the search. As well, a thriving community of artists and students means that there is continual support for creative pursuits.

One of the main players in the local art scene is the Chicago Art Institute and Museum. It is a wonderful asset for the city, boasting a cutting edge school and one of the best museums in the country. Many tourists from around the world flock to the museum which has treasures ranging from famous Impressionist paintings to contemporary art. It also provides much help for locals who want to learn more about art history.

Check out the museum's website for a schedule of public events. These include gallery tours and talks. Many offerings are free and geared towards family. This provides a great opportunity to interact with the world class art collection while expanding your knowledge.

In addition, the art school of the Chicago Art Institute is a very strong resource for those interested in education relating to art. It has a website which is well worth a visit. There, you can find listings of public events, ranging from lectures and tours to classes for mature students. Many do not require a big investment of time. For example, you might want to try a one off workshop which lasts for a couple of hours on the weekend. This has strong appeal for those with busy week day jobs.

This kind of event holds lots of appeal for both beginners and those with much more experience in art. It provides an introduction to various periods and styles as well as art collecting. In addition, many established artists find it useful to refresh their knowledge in an educational setting. In fact, those who attended art school decades ago may want to take a refresher course.

Another very handy resource which is often used by artists in the local area is more grass roots. Loose collectives of artists have joined together to provide events and tools to help the creative community. Events may include gallery tours, coffee mornings and professional training workshops. In fact, many of these groups produce websites and newsletters.

Some settings for these types of events include local galleries, cafes and museums. They provide a chance to meet like minded people and network. As well, some groups have created online forums for exchanging ideas.

For more tips related to this subject, you can find many art guides available at book stores and libraries. In addition, there are a variety of blogs and websites dedicated to the topic. In addition, visiting local galleries is a good way to get familiar with the local community.




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