Art In Motion Pop-Ups
While we work toward finding our permanent home in Chicago, we are bringing our programs around the city, making sure no neighborhood or community is left behind.
Through our Art in Motion Pop-up series, The Children’s Gallery Chicago pops up in parks, community centers, festivals, and neighborhood events with free, hands-on art experiences. At every stop, children and families are invited to paint, design, and create together, transforming everyday spaces into joyful open-air studios. Whether you meet us on the South Side, North Side, West Side, or downtown, you’ll find the same spirit of creativity and community.
Until we have a permanent space to welcome you, we are bringing the gallery to you—one neighborhood at a time!
Interested in our pop-ups? We’d love to collaborate and bring some colorful joy to your neighborhood! Reach out to Program Manager, Anita, at anita@tcgchicago.org to bring "Art in Motion: Your Edition" to your park, school, or community event!
TCGC's Youth Arts Council: The Youth Leadership Circle
We believe youth should not only participate in the arts but also lead the way in shaping how the arts live in their communities. The Youth Leadership Circle will be a program for teens and young adults (ages 15–24) who step into roles as decision-makers, organizers, and advocates for arts equity across Chicago.
Circle members will guide TCGC programming, design convenings that bring youth together across neighborhoods, and connect art with civic action. They will receive stipends for their leadership, mentorship in facilitation and organizing, and hands-on opportunities to plan exhibitions, workshops, and publications like youth-led zines.
This program is about more than leadership training. It’s about centering youth voices in decision-making, building platforms for Black and Brown queer youth to reclaim narratives, and creating sustainable pathways for young people to see themselves as cultural leaders and community organizers.
The Youth Leadership Circle will ensure that the next generation of Chicago artists and activists not only make art, but also shape policy, build solidarity, and challenge systems of exclusion.
Interested in joining the Youth Leadership Circle?
Email us at youthleaders@tcgchicago.org with your name, age, neighborhood, and a short note about why you’d like to be involved. We’ll follow up with more information as this program develops!
CANVAS & QUILL
Our core youth program where the same group of young artists meets regularly to develop their craft, create zines, and explore writing as a tool for self-expression. Every second Friday, their work culminates in an art exhibition at a local gallery, giving youth the chance to showcase their voices and visions in a professional setting.
We are currently searching for a permanent space to house Canvas & Quill. Please check back soon for updates on our program location, dates, and times. We can’t wait to share our youth exhibitions and workshops with you once we settle into our new home.