South Chicago’s youth arts nonprofit SkyART announced it has been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the Illinois state government to fund a major expansion of its headquarters. The funding will be used to construct additional studio space, a therapy area and new storage facilities, allowing the organization to broaden its existing free‑program offerings.
Founded 25 years ago, SkyART has provided free arts education and creative workshops to young people throughout South Chicago. Over the past quarter‑century the organization has become a staple of the community, delivering visual‑arts, music and performance opportunities without charging participants. The new grant comes as the nonprofit seeks to accommodate a growing enrollment and to enhance the range of services it can provide.
The state grant will be applied directly to the physical plant at SkyART’s South Chicago headquarters. Plans call for a purpose‑built studio where students can work on large‑scale projects, a dedicated therapy space designed to support mental‑health initiatives through artistic expression, and expanded storage to house equipment and materials needed for the organization’s programs. All three components are intended to operate alongside the existing curriculum.
By expanding its facilities, SkyART aims to sustain and enlarge its free‑access arts programming for the neighborhood’s youth. The additional space will enable the nonprofit to host more participants, introduce new therapeutic arts activities, and better preserve its growing inventory of supplies. State support underscores the importance placed on arts education as a tool for community development and youth engagement in South Chicago.