August 6, 2010 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Awarded Motorola Foundation Grant for Female-focused Gaming Program

Urban Gateways, Chicago’s most comprehensive arts education organization, has received more than $30,000 as part of the Innovation Generation grant program from the Motorola Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Inc. Through the grant, Urban Gateways will launch the program Girls Got Game, in which 125 female middle school students in the Chicago-area will design and build a fully-operational PC- based computer game.

The Motorola Foundation’s signature Innovation Generation program seeks to boost American students’ engagement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by providing $7.5 million to K-12 programs across the U.S., including Urban Gateways, to support hands-on, innovative after-school programs, science and math clubs, teacher training and mentoring programs. 

July 1, 2010 :: In The Classroom, News :: No Comments

IN THE CLASSROOM: Connecting to our Students

Urban Gateways teaching artists led two artist residencies this spring around the theme of connectivity.  These residencies resulted in student artwork that Urban Gateways featured and auctioned off at ArtsWired 2010, our annual interactive benefit on June 22.

The student artists were paid a stipend for their work and invited to the event to connect with our guests and share their artwork .  Below is a description of each residency, as well as links to view the artwork.

July 1, 2010 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Selected as Provider for CPS "Culture of Calm Initiative"

Urban Gateways is among 25 community organizations selected by the Chicago Public School District to provide services through its "Culture of Calm Initiative", which is part of the district’s $25 million dollar plan to support high schools and communities most at risk of violence.  Urban Gateways is the only arts education organization included as a Culture of Calm provider.

On June 22, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public Schools officials announced
that the school system will use almost $25 million in federal economic stimulus
funding for mentoring, community watch, and “Culture of Calm” initiatives.

May 25, 2010 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Partners with Chicago Corporate Leaders to Launch "Arts-Wired" Schools

Jenner & Block and Fifth Third Bank Adopt Schools to Prepare Students for the 21^st Century

May 7, 2010 :: In The Classroom, News :: No Comments

In The Classroom: Students Take Flight in Theatre Residency

In the Classroom is a new monthly feature created to take you inside a different Chicago-area classroom, introduce you to the Urban Gateways Teaching Artist who is working there, and share with you the experiences of the teaching artist and their students.

"Birds, Wings and Flying Things” – that’s the theme that the students of Hamilton School (K-8) have been exploring this year.  It sounds like a science lesson, maybe even history, but it has also been the focus of a 20-week Urban Gateways Artist Residency at the school.

Hamilton is one of the schools that participate in Urban Gateways’ Cultural Education Program (CEP), which is a multi-year grant partnership between UG and selected schools through which students and teachers receive training in one of four specific arts disciplines each year: dance, music, theatre and visual arts.  The goal is to give educators the tools to make connections between the fine and performing arts, social sciences and language arts.

This year, Hamilton students and teachers are exploring the discipline of theatre, and for the past few months, they’ve been doing so with Teaching Artist Maia Morgan.

March 19, 2010 :: News :: No Comments

MusicianCorps Benefit Concert - Thanks for your support!

On March 18, 2010, three local bands took the stage at Subterranean in Chicago for a benefit concert supporting Urban Gateways and MusicianCorps.  A special thanks to the bands - Satellite 66, Paper Airplane Pilots and ManBirdBelly - and all the supporters who came out for the concert!  Thanks to all of you, we raised hundreds of dollars that will support music education in Chicago schools!

Check out photos from the concert below!

And to learn more about MusicianCorps, watch this NBC Nightly News story>>

March 11, 2010 :: In The Classroom, News :: No Comments

In the Classroom: Our New Teaching Artists

In the Classroom is a new monthly feature created to take you inside a different Chicago-area classroom, introduce you to the Urban Gateways Teaching Artist who is working there, and share with you the experiences of the teaching artist and their students.

This month, we want you to meet three of Urban Gateways newest teaching artists! Each year, we welcome a handful of new teaching artists to our roster. After a rigorous application and interview process, a select few are asked to participate in professional development, as well as a provisional residency in the fall. Depending on the outcome of those short-term residencies, the teaching artists are then asked to officially join Urban Gateways roster.

We have some incredible new teaching artists this year. Below is a look inside three provisional residencies led by visual artist Jillian Gryzlak, media artist Hondo Lawrence, and media artist Jesse Avina.  And definitely check out the photo slideshow of the residencies, as well. 

February 8, 2010 :: In The Classroom, News :: No Comments

In the Classroom: Global Rhythms

In the Classroom is a new monthly feature created to give you an up-close look at Urban Gateways Teaching Artists in action. Each month, we’ll take you inside a different Chicago-area classroom, introduce you to the Urban Gateways Teaching Artist who is working there, and share with you the experiences of the teaching artist and their students.

In Fall 2009, teaching artist and musician John Knecht led a semester-long residency at Immaculate Conception School called Global Rhythms.  John explored world percussion with first through fourth graders, connecting his lessons to music appreciation, reading notation, world cultures, sociology (concepts of community and identity) and literature. 

The video below documents the residency through photos and the voices of students and teachers at Immaculate Conception. 

February 1, 2010 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

Ballroom Dance-off Brings Students and Community Together

On Thursday, February 4, elementary students from Chavez Multicultural Academy – an Urban Gateways Community School – paired up and “Danced-Off” against students from five other schools in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood.

The Dance-Off was the culmination of a four-month, after-school program called “Dancing with Class” – which focuses on building community bonds through the medium of social dance.  Since October, the Chicago social dance studio May I Have This Dance has provided weekly lessons at all six elementary schools.  Then the students came together for a final Dance-Off, in which partnered with both their classmates AND with dancers from the other schools.

“We have a fundamental belief in the power of social dance to build and strengthen communities, to bring people of all socio-economic backgrounds together,  to do something that brings joy and strengthens respect for self and others,” said Margot Toppen from May I Have This Dance.

January 21, 2010 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

UG Launches Blog Focused on Arts Education & its Impact

Blog Features Experiences of Six Chicago-area Teaching Artists

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS –Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education is launching a blog to bring attention to the importance of arts education.  The blog, entitled Urban Gateways Artists Wired (www.ugartistswired.typepad.com), features six Urban Gateways’ teaching artists, who will post regularly about their experiences in Chicago-area classrooms. 

“We want to chronicle their journey with the students, in hopes of drawing attention to the importance of the work these professional artists do and the impact they have on the children, on the schools and on the communities where they work,” said Julie F. Simpson, Urban Gateways Executive Director.

Founded almost 50 years ago, Urban Gateways is one of the largest and most comprehensive arts education organizations in the country.  Each year, the organization provides in- and out-of-school programming in the literary, performing, media and visual arts to more than 100,000 young people in the Chicago-area.  

January 20, 2010 :: News :: No Comments

NBC Nightly News To Feature MusicianCorps

Urban Gateways and Music National Service want to thank NBC Nightly News Correspondent John Yang and Producer Stephanie Himango - who came out to do a feature story on MusicianCorps, the new "musical Peace Corps" launched by Music National Service in four cities nationwide and being managed in Chicago by Urban Gateways.

The NBC crew visited two of Chicago's seven MusicianCorps fellows:  Cyndy Fike and her students in an after-school music program at Russell Square Park, and Vernon Lloyd and the students in his Davis Square Park Band.

We don't know when the story will air, but we will keep you updated.   In the meantime, here are some pics and video of the NBC shoot. 

January 13, 2010 :: In The Classroom, News :: No Comments

In the Classroom at Andersen School

Inside the Classroom is a new monthly feature created to give you an up-close look at Urban Gateways Teaching Artists in action. Each month, we’ll take you inside a different Chicago-area classroom, introduce you to the Urban Gateways Teaching Artist who is working there, and share with you the experiences of the teaching artist and their students.

A classroom at Anderson School is buzzing with two dozen fifth graders – they’re out of their seats, talking, laughing, and moving around the room. Not necessarily the picture of a well-behaved class.  But Urban Gateways Teaching Artist Jennifer Green wouldn’t have it any other way.

From the middle of the room, she suddenly shouts, “You’re in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Within seconds, the room is silent, each child frozen in a pose – some are marching in a band, some are waving to people lining the streets, others are desperately trying to hold on to giant balloons floating high above their heads.  A classroom full of kids who are not sitting quietly at their desks – yet fully focused and engaged, and also having fun.

December 22, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Thanks to All who attended Urban Gateways Benefit Concert

On December 3, three bands, one comedian and an emcee provided a bar-full of people with a night of great music and entertainment - AND they all provided Urban Gateways with donations and support.

Heave Media, which sponsored the event, named Urban Gateways its charity of choice for the benefit concert at the Darkroom.  Twenty-five percent of the ticket proceeds went to Urban Gateways.   The event featured the bands: All Things Lucid, Son of the Sun, and the Brian Miller Band. 

Thanks to all the performers and to everyone who came out to support us!

November 9, 2009 :: Media Mentions, News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways & MusicianCorps featured on Vocalo 89.5 FM - LISTEN

MusicianCorps is a new, national “musical Peace Corps,” which Urban Gateways partnered with to bring six fellows to Chicago. Recently, Urban Gateways Executive Director Julie Simpson and MusicianCorps Fellow Jamie Topper discussed MusicianCorps in an interview on Vocalo 89.5FM. LISTEN NOW>> 

Check out our new events calendar>>

November 4, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Named Charity of Choice for Benefit Concert

When: December 3@ 8:00pm
Where: The Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago
Who: Ticket Holders ($7 advance/$8 at the door)

Urban Gateways was named the charity of choice for this a benefit concert and will receive 25% of the ticket proceeds. The event is presented by Heave Media, hosted by Alex Moffat aka Max Bremmer and will feature the bands: All Things Lucid, Son of the Sun, and the Brian Miller Band. Learn More >>

November 4, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

StepAfrika Shows Benefit Urban Gateways- Buy Tickets Today!

When: 7:30pm (Nov. 19) / 8:00pm (Nov. 20-21)
Where: Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago
Who: Concert Ticket Holders

Step Afrika! is the first company in the US to transform African American “Stepping” into a theatrical spectacle. Making their Chicago Debut as part of their 15th anniversary season, Step Afrika! creates an “ocean of sound” with contemporary Stepping and Hip Hop alongside ancient Zulu dances, south African gumboot dancing and more!
 
Performances will be held at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago Illinois. When you order tickets, use the Urban Gateways code: CHRP-UG, and you’ll get 10% off the ticket price, and Urban Gateways will get 50% of the proceeds from the ticket sale. See dates and times below, and follow links for more info:
 
November 19 at 7:30pm
 
November 20-21, 2009 at 8pm

November 4, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways @ Community Arts Education Conference

When: November 13, 2009 @ 10:00am
Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Who: Conference Attendees
What: Urban Gateways Executive Director Julie F. Simpson will serve as a panelist during the plenary session entitled A New Day for Arts Education in America

Julie Simpson, at the Community Arts Education Conference,  will serve as a panelist for a  plenary session entitled: A New Day for Arts education in America. Discussion will revolve around the importance of building bridges with organizations/agencies in other sectors such as community development, youth development, health care, aging services etc to ensure arts education for every American. The panel will also discuss how to increase engagement, spark innovation and more boldly demonstrate the positive impact of community arts education.
 

August 26, 2009 :: News :: 1 Comment

AileyCamp Celebrates 10 Years of Dance & Youth Development

AileyCamp Chicago celebrated its 10-year anniversary this summer.  The innovative, 6-week dance and youth development program for inner city students is made possible each year through a partnership amongst Urban Gateways, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Public Schools. This summer, 80 Chicago students ages 11 to 14 participated; and anyone who was present for the camp's culminating dance performance on Wednesday, August 12 knows the spectacular results.

August 26, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Major Funders Sign on to Support UG’s Mission

By continually advocating for the arts and effectively delivering arts education programming for almost 50 years, Urban Gateways is gaining the support of government, corporate and foundation funders on both local and national levels.    This summer, Urban Gateways was one of only 28 organizations nationwide to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the Arts Education category.  JP Morgan Chase donated $100,000 in support of Urban Gateways programs, and 10 local Target stores collectively contributed $13,500.

August 18, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Fall Showcase 2009 - Sept. 25

July 24, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Chicago to Tanzania and Back: Teaching artist exchange offers cultural, artistic insights

This summer, Urban Gateways has embarked on its first international artist exchange. 

UG Artist-in-Residence, Amanda Lichtenstein, traveled to a rural village in Tanzania to teach theater and creative writing. Meanwhile, Urban Gateways was thrilled to welcome Tanzanian theater artist Grace Gachocha (seen in picture on right) to Chicago, where she is instructing UG’s Art Options program alongside literary artist Maia Morgan and Digital Sound artist Shawn Wallace.  Art Options engages at-risk middle and high school students in an arts apprenticeship that culminates in a community-based arts project. 

July 23, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Holds Court in Target Tent

Urban Gateways staff members and teaching artists entertained throngs of children (and parents) July 13-19 as part of the Millennium Park Family Fest. 

Stationed in the Target Tent, teaching artists set up free craft tables and workshops for passersby, all focusing on the theme of Chicago neighborhoods. 

July 23, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

UG Artist Shares Her Experience in Tanzania

Urban Gateways Artist-in-Residence Amanda Lichtenstein is teaching creative writing and theater to children in a rural village in Tanzania, as part of UG's first international exchange with the International Theater and Literacy Project (ITLP), a New York City-based organization founded in 2005 to provide rural African communities with youth education through theater. 

Below is an excerpt of a letter Amanda sent to the UG staff, sharing her experiences:

July 23, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Despite Funding Cuts, Devoted Arts Leaders Persevere

In these tough economic times, the traditional sources of funding for arts education are ebbing, but dedicated supporters are still finding ways to keep their fine arts programs afloat.

In April, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that it was cutting Title I funding for fine arts, which impacted many programs including an Urban Gateways project with its non-profit partner The Fran Center. UG had spent months organizing arts programming for the nonpublic schools that the Center serves, and we were relying on the Title I funding (annually allocated for schools serving low-income areas) to support those programs.

June 9, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Seeks Students Ages 14-18 to Participate in ART OPTIONS: A Theatre & Media Community Project

The Art Options program is a four-week summer apprenticeship program for middle and high school students working one-on-one with professional artists in the field. It provides young artists the opportunity to experience the arts beyond the setting of the school classroom, an authentic studio experience in the arts, extended learning time and compensation for achievement of program goals. Students accepted into the program receive a stipend.

April 21, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Teaching Artists Explore Documentation

Urban Gateways invites its roster artists to a new PD, Documentation: Teaching Artists in an Upload Universe. This PD, our last of the school year, will be facilitated by Cynthia Weiss, Associate Director of School Partnerships from CCAP, and Arnold Aprill, Founding and Creative Director of CAPE.

Documentation: Teaching Artists in an Upload Universe

Wednesday, May 6th, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at the Hyde Park Art Center

Please R.S.V.P. to Amanda at alichtenstein@urbangateways.org

April 6, 2009 :: News, Press Releases :: No Comments

Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education Welcomes New Develoment Director

Chicago -- Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education is pleased to announce the hiring of Sherre Jennings Cullen, Director of Development.

As the Development Director, Sherre will strategize and manage all fundraising activities, expectations, and anticipated outcomes.

Sherre Jennings Cullen joins Urban Gateways with an extensive background in development. For nearly two decades she has been fundraising in Chicago; the past thirteen years include oversight of the development efforts at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Writers' Theatre. Prior to her tenure there, Sherre was employed by the Music Institute of Chicago where she was responsible for the successful capital campaign to purchase and renovate its new education and performance space in downtown Evanston.

March 10, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Announces Call for Artists

Urban Gateways conducts an annual artist application process to build a strong, diverse roster of professional artists. Once contracted, artists work in schools, community-based organizations, and cultural institutions to provide arts programming. A new application is available for download (Click here!) and the deadline is Friday, April 10th, 2009. This year there is a specific call for the following disciplines:

* Literary Artists (poets, book/paper artists, spoken word artists, playwrights, etc.)

* Digital Media Artists (audio and visual media artists, online media artists, etc.)

* Musicians (vocalists, song writers, instrumentalists, etc.)

* Hip-Hop Artists (dancers, writers, musicians, etc.)

* Graphic/Animation Artists (graphic novelists, cartoonists, etc.)

* Interdisciplinary Artists

* Touring and Performing Artists of all disciplines

There will be one information session on Thursday, March 26th, 2009, at 205 W. Randolph, Suite 1700, from 5:00 PM -- 6:30 PM.

March 9, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Cicero District Teachers Play the Role of Students

Collaboration. Creation. Celebration. Urban Gateways artists brought new meaning to these words through their innovative work at Cicero. "In ancient times, the arts brought us together as communities, which made us better teams and stronger hunters. We don't need to bond together as hunter-gatherers and yet our need for connection is as strong as ever. The desire for art is as strong as ever," stated John Knecht, Urban Gateways teaching artist. This quote was the guiding thought for a room of 28 Cicero District visual art and music teachers on a cold Friday morning.

March 9, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Office of Arts Education Hosts Theater Professional Development

The CPS Office of Arts Education will be presenting a professional development day for theater teachers and teachers who incorporate theater into their curriculum. The day will include opportunities to discuss and collaborate on drama/theater curriculum as well as an intensive interactive workshop on improvisation. CPDUs will be provided to teachers who attend the full-day workshop. The event will be held on March 27th, 2009, from 9 am to 2:30 pm at Perez Elementary School's Parent Center at 2001 South Throop. The registration deadline is March 20th, 2009. Please directs all questions to the Office of Arts Education at 773-553-2170.

To register, complete the online form here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cDlyd09DVFlic2x2MUZET3BfYWgtREE6MA

February 9, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Presents Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

As the third performance in the matinee series, Urban Gateways and The Harris Theater for Music and Dance showcase Hubbard Street Dance Chicago on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 12:30 PM.

February 5, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Artable Moment: Presidential Inauguration

Similar to the teachable moment, the arts foster an opportunity to maximize the impact of a critical event. As creative and responsive individuals, artists can seize these worthwhile instants to offer insight and capture students' interest.

As January 20th globally graced screens and front pages, what was your Artable Moment?

January 14, 2009 :: News :: 1 Comment

Never Too Early for the Arts

The earlier, the better. This is one commonly accepted principle of arts education, emphasizing the value that lies in exposing students to the arts from a young age. At Horace Greeley Elementary, a fine arts magnet school, the Early Morning Program provides an excellent look at the benefits of this practice. During this program, kindergarten through third grade students meet with different Urban Gateways artists each morning of the week to partake in arts learning well before the school day begins. On December 17, teaching artists and students came together to give a culminating performance for a proud audience of parents and Greeley staff members.

January 14, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Global Rhythms Take Hold at Carson Elementary

Now in its third year partnering with Urban Gateways for the Cultural Education Program (CEP), Carson Elementary School is working alongside teaching artists John Knecht and Jason Wolf to immerse its students in “Global Rhythms,” the theme for this year.

January 13, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

New Teaching Artist at Perspectives Calumet Engages Students to Redesign the White House

January 13, 2009 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Gathers Leaders at Home of Susan and Nick Pritzker

Susan Pritzker, Board Vice President of Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education, hosted an event on Tuesday, December 9 for Chicago’s leaders in the field of arts learning. Forty-five Urban Gateways supporters joined Pritzker for cocktails and dinner, speeches by arts education experts, and related discussion.

September 23, 2008 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Celebrates Million Dollar Gift

A long-standing Urban Gateways supporter has generously contributed a lead gift of $1.25 million to kick off the Urban Gateways Major Gift Campaign. We are tremendously thankful for the continued leadership and guidance of such an enthusiast.

September 17, 2008 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Launches Matinee Series

Launching the annual matinee series, Urban Gateways and The Harris Theater for Music and Dance showcase the first two performances DanceAfrica 2008 and Barbatuques. Presented by the DuSable Museum of African History and lead sponsor Columbia College, DanceAfrica performs on Friday, October 31, 2008 at 12:30 PM. Presented by Chicago Human Rhythm Project Global Rhythms 4 and lead title sponsor Target, Barbatuques performs on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 12:30 PM. Tickets are $7 each for one show and $6 each for both shows.
 

June 14, 2008 :: Media Mentions, News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Featured on Chicago Public Radio

Urban Gateways was recently on Chicago Public Radio in a discussion about No Child Left Behind and its impact on the Arts in public schools.

Listen to the audio

May 14, 2008 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Presented Spring Showcase and Dance Connections Student Performance

Two sweaty palmed, nervous middle-school students stand on stage. Their feet begin to move in unison as Latin music cascades through the speakers.

 

With each step their confidence grows, despite having missed a few steps. A smile appears on both of their faces as the audience at Perspectives Charter School begins to clap.

April 1, 2008 :: News :: No Comments

Four New Community Schools Join Urban Gateways

March 24, 2008 :: News :: No Comments

Urban Gateways Presents Cerqua River Dance Theatre

As part of the annual matinee series Urban Gateways: Center for Arts Education and The Harris Theater for Music and Dance present Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre on Tuesday, April 15th at 10:00 am. In this program, the company presents the Langston Hughes tribute "Shadow of the Blues" features thirteen poems by Hughes set to original jazz and blues music and choreography and "A Tribute to Nina Simone," an electrifying homage to the priestess of soul.