This holiday season, Urban Gateways has launched the Adopt-a-School program, which gives our supporters the opportunity to donate to an Urban Gateways school of their choice.
Urban Gateways is excited to be partnering with Target to provide select schools with free arts education programming!
Urban Gateways can explore a host of themes or big ideas through any of its Arts Education Packages.
These themed packages can combine multi-disciplinary residencies and touring performances to enhance any academic subject, increase students' artistic skills and positively impact social/emotional learning.
Within the disciplines of dance, digital media, literary arts/theater, music and visual arts, Urban Gateways artists can introduce young people to a host of different art forms and experiences.
Urban Gateways' Arts Education Packages combine our core program services (residencies, touring performances, workshops, and professional development) to increase the impact on students and decrease the overall cost for the provider.
6-year Partnership with Urban Gateways


Statistics
Low Income: 92.1%
Special Ed: 6.6%
Limited English: 0%
After a half-dozen years at Mays, Urban Gateways remains committed to this Englewood elementary school. Last year, 5 classes of students received an in-school visual arts residency from Urban Gateways. This year, the school has elected to provide after-school programming for half the year in the areas of music, dance and visual art. Please make sure Mays students receive these important programs and possibly provide them with even more.
ADOPT MAYS>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
13-year Partnership with Urban Gateways
Statistics
Low Income: 84.2%
Special Ed: 9.9%
Limited English: 30.5%
Last year’s Urban Gateways programming at Greeley is a reflection of our decade-long partnership with this Lakeview elementary school. Urban Gateways artists worked with students throughout the school year and through the summer, including an in-school visual arts residency for 4 classrooms, before and after school programs in dance, music and percussion, a summer visual arts program and teacher professional development. Please ensure students at Greeley have another engaging and arts-filled year.
ADOPT GREELEY>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
4-year Partnership with Urban Gateways

Statistics
Low Income: 98.1%
Special Ed: 10.5%
Limited English: 37.7%
This Marquette Park elementary school, now in its fourth year with Urban Gateways, is committed to the arts. Last year, Urban Gateways partnered with Fairfield to provide theater, dance, and visual arts residencies for 21 classrooms. We also provided a touring performance (assembly) in dance, an after-school program in visual arts, student field trips, and teacher professional development. So far this year, 9 classrooms at Fairfield are receiving Urban Gateways programs. Help us reach even more students there.
ADOPT FAIRFIELD>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
3-year Partnership with Urban Gateways

Statistics
Low Income: 89.9%
Special Ed: 18.5%
Limited English: 8%
Urban Gateways’ in-depth partnership with EPIC Academy led to a banner year of programming last year. Urban Gateways provided the students of the South Chicago high school with after-school residencies in percussion, spoken word, theater, visual arts and digital media, tutoring and leadership programs, and summer programs covering arts leadership, dance, music production and mosaic art. This year, EPIC plans to expand its Urban Gateways programming to also include parent programs, family nights, and student field trips. Please ensure that this exciting partnership continues to grow.
ADOPT EPIC>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
NEW Partnership with Urban Gateways
Statistics
Low Income: 89.9%
Special Ed: 11.6%
Limited English: 0%
Urban Gateways is excited about our brand NEW partnership with Clara Barton. This Auburn Gresham elementary school welcomed Urban Gateways into 5 of its classrooms for a year of residencies that will cover visual arts, music and dance. Please help make sure these new Urban Gateways students receive their full year of innovative arts programming.
ADOPT CLARA BARTON>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
7-year Partnership with Urban Gateways
Statistics
Low Income: 97.2%
Special Ed: 7.3%
Limited English: 50.8%
For the past 7 years, Urban Gateways and Carson Elementary have shared a commitment to provide the school’s students with high-quality arts education. Last year’s extensive arts programs included a full year of visual arts for 5 classrooms, month-long residencies in theater, spoken word and performing arts, an after-school visual arts program and professional development for teachers. Due to budget constraints this year, Urban Gateways programming at Carson is on hold. Please help continue the important and inspirational work happening at this Gage Park school.
ADOPT/SUPPORT CARSON>>
Return to the Adopt-A-School page>>
ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Urban Gateways has partnered with six Chicago schools that have an intense desire and critical need for in-depth arts education but do not have the full funds to support it.
Our goal is to provide the students at these schools with:
- hands-on arts instruction with our dedicated professional teaching artists,
- first-rate assembly performances by our talented touring artists,
- and the new-found sense of confidence, self-esteem and accomplishment that comes from experiencing the arts.
For these students, Urban Gateways is often the first and only arts program they have ever experienced.
SELECTING A SCHOOL
Below is a list of the six schools partnering with Urban Gateways for the Adopt-A-School Program. Please click on the school's name to learn more about the school and its relationship with Urban Gateways.
- Carson Elementary in Gage Park
- Clara Barton Elementary in Auburn Gresham
- EPIC Academy in South Chicago
- Fairfield Academy in Marquette Park
- Greeley Elementary in Lakeview
- Mays Academy in Englewood
If you choose to donate to this cause but don't want to select a specific school, Urban Gateways can select the school that is in most need of your support. When you complete the online donation form, just be sure to choose "Please select a school for me" from the dropdown list of schools.
JOIN OUR EFFORTS
Adopt A School
Adopt one of six Urban Gateways schools by making a generous contribution of $1,000 or more. Your gift will go directly towards in-depth arts programming at the school of your choice. And as an Adopt-a-School supporter, you will receive a year-end program impact report and invitations to events to see the arts in action at your chosen school.
Adopt A School now>>
Support A School
Support a school of your choice at any giving level. Please consider making a generous contribution of any amount, which will go directly towards in-depth arts programming at the school of your choice.
Support A School now>>
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the Adopt-A-School program, please contact Urban Gateways Development Director Sherre Cullen at scullen@urbangateways.org or 312-445-2760.
Connect to the Urban Gateways Intranet
This portal is for Urban Gateways staff, artists and board. If you have any questions about the intranet, please contact Becky Schneck Allen.
Schools selected for this grant will receive an Urban Gateways Touring Performance coupled with an Immersion Workshop.
Schools in the following Target communities are eligible to apply:
- Oswego
Interested in applying? Just complete this online form>>
Once you complete the form, an Urban Gateways staff member will contact you as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Tarah Ortiz Durnbaugh at tortiz@urbangateways.org or 312-922-0440 ext. 2750.
Below is a brief list of suggested themes with a sampling of connected residencies and touring performances.
To discuss these themes or other big ideas your school/organization wants to explore, please contact Urban Gateways Community Partnerships Manager Albert Cooper at 312-9220-0440 ext. 2745.
Health & Wellness
Introduce and emphasize the importance of healthy living through arts-based exploration into the foods we eat, keeping our bodies fit through movement, and a critical study of healthy vs. unhealthy life choices.
RESIDENCIES
- The Food I Eat
- How do YOU move? Lifelong Movement Teaches Health Living
- Truth in Advertising
TOURING PERFORMANCES
- Anavi & Her Doll With Green Eyes
- The Evolution of Ballet
- Voice of Dance
The STEM Connection
Enhance the study of science, technology, engineering, and math through arts learning; some residencies include introductions to software and technology
RESIDENCIES
- Girls Got Game (Video Game Development)
- Music and Math
- The Power of Good Graphics
TOURING PERFORMANCES
- Third Coast Percussion: Think Outside the Drum
- Tom Sharpe’s World Music That Rocks
Building Stronger Communities
Explore and address social challenges faced by students and their communities by focusing on issues such as bullying, peer pressure, violence, tolerance, respect, and affecting change.
RESIDENCIES·
- Kids Can Make a Difference
- There is another way. Violence and Identity
- What Are You, Chicken: Study of Individuality, Peer Pressure and Otherness
- What Happened to the Village?
TOURING PERFORMANCES
- The Birthplace of Rhythm
- English Class Heretics: Louder Than A Bomb Poetry Live
- The Make ‘Em Ups
U Rock
Introduce art forms such as music composition, songwriting, video production and more through the exciting lens of Rock & Roll and popular culture. This package includes the opportunity for interactive distance learning programs and other resources from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.*
RESIDENCIES
- Band Creative (Visual Arts)
- Music Video Production
- Rock & Roll Rhythms
- Songwriting (live band culminating event)
TOURING PERFORMANCES
- History of Rock & Roll
- From Rag to Rap
- The Evolution of African-American Music
Other Themes to Explore
Bring Literacy to Life
Cultural Perspectives: Connecting Art & History
Express Yourself: Personal Exploration Through the Arts
Going Green: Recycling and the Environment
DANCE
Ballet
Body Percussion
Choreography
Contemporary
Cultural Dance
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Modern
Tap
DIGITAL MEDIA
Animation
Digital Music Composition
Film and Video
Graphic Design
Photography
Video Game Development
LITERARY ARTS/THEATER
Acting/Drama
Creative Writing
Improvisation
Playwriting
Poetry
Spoken Word
Storytelling
MUSIC
Composing
Music Recording
Percussion/Rhythm
Rock and Roll
Singing
Songwriting
VISUAL ARTS
Animation
Comic Books
Collage
Drawing
Fiber Arts/Textiles
Mosaic
Murals
Painting
Paper Arts
Portraiture
Printmaking
Sculpture
Below are recommended Arts Education Packages, organized by cost and graduated levels of engagement. We can connect these packages to any theme or big idea you'd like to explore - check out some examples of Themed Arts Packages here>>
Please contact Community Partnerships Manager Albert Cooper at 312-445-2745 to discuss any of these packages, as well as customizable options.
Level 1 - $2,000
Three 1-hour Workshops – Serves 3 Classrooms
1 Touring Performance – Serves up to 700 children
Level 2 - $4,000
8-week Residency for up to 3 classrooms - led by one artist; 8 sessions per classroom (one session = one hour)
1 Touring Performance – Serves up to 700 children
Level 3 - $8,000
8-week Residencies for up to 6 classrooms - led by 2 artists; 8 sessions per classroom
Student Showcases featuring all students' work
1 Touring Performance – Serves up to 700 children
One 2-hour Professional Development Workshop for Educators
Level 4 - $12,000
8-week Residencies for up to 9 classrooms - led by 3 artists; 8 sessions per classroom
Student Showcases featuring all students' work
1 Touring Performance – Serves up to 700 children
One 2-hour Professional Development Workshop for Educators
Urban Gateways Family Night
Urban Gateways Impact Report
Level 5 - $20,000
10-week Residencies for up to 16 classrooms - led by 4 artist; 10 sessions per classroom
Student Showcases featuring all students' work
1 Touring Performance – Serves up to 700 children
Two 2-hour Professional Development Workshops for Educators
Urban Gateways Family Night
Urban Gateways Impact Report
Winter Break Celebrations
The Magic of the Spellbinder
chiBam! We All Got Rhythm
The Evolution of Ballet
From Rag to Rap
The History of Rock 'n Roll
The Puppet Place: Hansel and Gretel
National Children’s Book Week (3rd week of November)
African Village Folktales
The Puppet Place: Hansel and Gretel
The Puppet Place: Peter Rabbit
Anavi & Her Doll With Green Eyes
Classical Music Month
Sassy Brass
Tom Sharpe's World Music That Rocks!
String Groove
Third Coast Percussion: Drums in the Concert Hall
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15)
Anavi & Her Doll With Green Eyes
Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico
Fandango!
Hooked on Cuba
La Bamba: Latin American Journey
Sisai: Exploring the Andes through Music
Spain’s Dancing Rhythms
National American Dance Week (3rd week of August)
Voice of Dance
The Evolution of Ballet
chiBAM! We All Got Rhythm
End of School Year Celebrations
20th Century Women of Song
chiBAM! We All Got Rhythm
From Rag to Rap
The Magic of the Spellbinder
The Make 'Em Ups
World Tales
Cinco de Mayo - May 5
Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico
Fandango!
La Bamba: Latin American Journey
South Asian Heritage Month
Enchanting Tales and Rhythms of India
Join us at Causemopolitan June 20! Find out more »
Yolanda Pittman Find out more »
DanceWorks Chicago presents DanceMoves Find out more »
ROCK for Arts! A musical benefit for Urban Gateways Find out more »
Layers - New Art by Molly Z. Find out more »
Anonymous Find out more »
The Pritzker Foundation Find out more »
Anonymous Find out more »
Anonymous Find out more »
Lipman Hearne Find out more »
Kinder Morgan Find out more »
Rhoades Foundation Find out more »
Sidley Austin Find out more »
Loop Capital Markets Find out more »
JPMorgan Chase Find out more »
International Paper Foundation Find out more »
Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP Find out more »
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Find out more »
Peoples Energy Find out more »
The Ginn Foundation Find out more »
Vedder Price Find out more »
The Field Foundation of Illinois, Inc. Find out more »
Thanks for ROCKing for Arts! Find out more »
Candid Candace blogs on Art for All Gala Find out more »
ArtSEE Find out more »
Artist event: For the Birds Find out more »
Art for All Gala featured in North Shore Pioneer Press Find out more »
New Arts Forum Quarterly Meeting Find out more »
Eric Delli Bovi - Executive Director Find out more »
Ellie O’Hagan - Executive Assistant Find out more »
Touring Pack Find out more »
Arts Incubator Project in Chicago Crusader Find out more »
Wright Find out more »
Cullen Find out more »
Kelch Find out more »
Anna Joranger - Marketing & Development Assistant Find out more »
Shows that Inspire Find out more »
2011 Annual Report Find out more »
2012-2013 Catalog of Programs Find out more »
Art for All Gala 2013 Find out more »
Celebration Dances of West Africa at DuPage Children’s Museum Find out more »
Eat to the Beat Find out more »
Carol Weston at DuPage Children’s Museum Find out more »
New Arts Forum Quarterly Meeting Find out more »
Ensemble Espanol Family Holiday Concert Find out more »
Thanks4giving - Attend Global Rhythms & support Urban Gateways! Find out more »
Mays Academy Find out more »
6-year Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 92.1% Special Ed: 6.6% Limited English: 0% After a half-dozen years at Mays, Urban Gateways remains committed to this Englewood elementary school. Last year, 5 classes of students received an in-school visual arts residency from Urban Gateways. This year, the school has...
Greeley Elementary Find out more »
13-year Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 84.2% Special Ed: 9.9% Limited English: 30.5% Last year’s Urban Gateways programming at Greeley is a reflection of our decade-long partnership with this Lakeview elementary school. Urban Gateways artists worked with students throughout the school year and through the summer, including an...
Fairfield Elementary Find out more »
4-year Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 98.1% Special Ed: 10.5% Limited English: 37.7% This Marquette Park elementary school, now in its fourth year with Urban Gateways, is committed to the arts. Last year, Urban Gateways partnered with Fairfield to provide theater, dance, and visual arts residencies for 21...
EPIC Academy Find out more »
3-year Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 89.9% Special Ed: 18.5% Limited English: 8% Urban Gateways’ in-depth partnership with EPIC Academy led to a banner year of programming last year. Urban Gateways provided the students of the South Chicago high school with after-school residencies in percussion, spoken word, theater,...
Clara Barton Elementary Find out more »
NEW Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 89.9% Special Ed: 11.6% Limited English: 0% Urban Gateways is excited about our brand NEW partnership with Clara Barton. This Auburn Gresham elementary school welcomed Urban Gateways into 5 of its classrooms for a year of residencies that will cover visual arts,...
Carson Elementary Find out more »
7-year Partnership with Urban Gateways Statistics Low Income: 97.2% Special Ed: 7.3% Limited English: 50.8% For the past 7 years, Urban Gateways and Carson Elementary have shared a commitment to provide the school’s students with high-quality arts education. Last year’s extensive arts programs included a full year of visual arts...
Adopt A School Find out more »
This holiday season, Urban Gateways has launched the Adopt-a-School program, which gives our supporters the opportunity to donate to an Urban Gateways school of their choice.
Intranet Find out more »
Connect to the Urban Gateways Intranet This portal is for Urban Gateways staff, artists and board. If you have any questions about the intranet, please contact Becky Schneck Allen.
Perceptual Motion Dance - A Taste of Wine and Chocolate Benefit Find out more »
Scott Boscapomi Find out more »
Urban Gateways Matinee 2012 Find out more »
Sherre Jennings Cullen - Director of Development Find out more »
ARTini Find out more »
Brian Foster - Director of Marketing & Sales Find out more »
Gwen Tulin Find out more »
Temple Schultz Find out more »
Matt Woods Find out more »
Avery R. Young Find out more »
J.W. Basilo Find out more »
Urban Gateways Helps Commemorate “I Have a Dream” Anniversary Through Art Contest Find out more »
Target Grant Find out more »
Urban Gateways is excited to be partnering with Target to provide select schools with free arts education programming!
Urban Gateways in Washington Park Find out more »
Strategic Plan 2012 Find out more »
Form 990 - FY2011 Find out more »
Themed Arts Packages Find out more »
Urban Gateways can explore a host of themes or big ideas through any of its Arts Education Packages. These themed packages can combine multi-disciplinary residencies and touring performances to enhance any academic subject, increase students' artistic skills and positively impact social/emotional learning.
Residencies by Discipline Find out more »
Within the disciplines of dance, digital media, literary arts/theater, music and visual arts, Urban Gateways artists can introduce young people to a host of different art forms and experiences.
City Winery Preview Party Find out more »
Arts Ed Packages Find out more »
Urban Gateways' Arts Education Packages combine our core program services (residencies, touring performances, workshops, and professional development) to increase the impact on students and decrease the overall cost for the provider.
Anonymous Find out more »
Richard Schlichting, Music/Fine Arts Coordinator, Blaine School Find out more »
Scott Boscapomi - Community Programs Manager Find out more »
Scott Boscapomi Find out more »
Kristy Conway - Associate Director of Development Find out more »
Kirsons Find out more »
Kye Find out more »
Britton Find out more »
Fact 11 Find out more »
Fact 10 Find out more »
Fact 9 Find out more »
Fact 8 Find out more »
Fact 7 Find out more »
Fact 6 Find out more »
Fact 5 Find out more »
Fact 4 Find out more »
Fact 3 Find out more »
Fact 2 Find out more »
Fact 1 Find out more »
2011-2012 Urban Gateways Brochure Find out more »
December Find out more »
Winter Break Celebrations The Magic of the Spellbinder chiBam! We All Got Rhythm The Evolution of Ballet From Rag to Rap The History of Rock 'n Roll The Puppet Place: Hansel and Gretel
November Find out more »
National Children’s Book Week (3rd week of November) African Village Folktales The Puppet Place: Hansel and Gretel The Puppet Place: Peter Rabbit Anavi & Her Doll With Green Eyes
September Find out more »
Classical Music Month Sassy Brass Tom Sharpe's World Music That Rocks! String Groove Third Coast Percussion: Drums in the Concert Hall Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) Anavi & Her Doll With Green Eyes Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico Fandango! Hooked on Cuba La Bamba: Latin American Journey Sisai:...
August Find out more »
National American Dance Week (3rd week of August) Voice of Dance The Evolution of Ballet chiBAM! We All Got Rhythm
June Find out more »
End of School Year Celebrations 20th Century Women of Song chiBAM! We All Got Rhythm From Rag to Rap The Magic of the Spellbinder The Make 'Em Ups World Tales
May Find out more »
Cinco de Mayo - May 5 Danzas Ceremoniales de Mexico Fandango! La Bamba: Latin American Journey South Asian Heritage Month Enchanting Tales and Rhythms of India
