Old Irving Park
Community Impact Statement
Artists Book House addresses Old Irving Park’s strong community desire for accessible arts and cultural programming. Old Irving Park, a historic neighborhood in Chicago, is home to a diverse community with varying racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. According to recent census data, the neighborhood's demographics break down as follows: approximately 51% White, 36% Hispanic or Latino, 7% Black or African American, and 6% Asian, with a small percentage identifying as multiracial or other ethnic backgrounds. This diversity brings a rich tapestry of cultural perspectives to the community, yet there are few local programs that reflect or support such varied backgrounds, especially within the arts.
Economically, Old Irving Park also represents a range of income levels. While 30% of households in the area report an income above $100,000 annually, about 25% of households earn between $50,000 and $99,999, and roughly 20% fall below $50,000 per year, indicating a need for affordable options for arts engagement. This economic diversity, coupled with the racial and ethnic mix, highlights the importance of inclusive, accessible arts programming that can serve all residents, from affluent professionals to those on tighter budgets or fixed incomes.
Currently, Old Irving Park lacks a dedicated arts center, which limits opportunities for its residents—especially children, teens, and marginalized communities—to explore the arts locally. A community arts hub could meet this need by offering affordable classes, exhibitions, and workshops that resonate with and represent the neighborhood's demographics. Not only would such a center fulfill the community's desire for arts programming, but it would also contribute to economic growth by revitalizing vacant storefronts and attracting visitors who could further support local businesses. Establishing a dedicated arts space in Old Irving Park would make the neighborhood a cultural destination, enriching the lives of residents from all backgrounds.
Additionally, during our recent open house fundraiser on October 13, 2024, we connected with residents of Old Irving Park and our long-time supporters, discussing our plans for renovating our new space at 4207 W Irving Park Rd. Through conversations with neighborhood representatives—including Anna Sobor from the Old Irving Park Association (OIPA), Pat Clark from the Greater Irving Park Neighbor’s Association (GIPNA), and members of Alderwoman Ruth Cruz’s office—we confirmed that the community is eager for arts programming, affordable educational activities, and a safe, stable environment that contributes to economic growth, especially as some storefronts in the area have remained vacant since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Artists Book House will offer a unique set of resources and programs not available elsewhere in the area. Unlike other community organizations in Chicago that may focus on writing, printmaking, or bookbinding, we will serve as a dedicated hub for book and literary arts, combining workshops, classes, lectures, author events, art-making studios, a bookstore, and an artist’s books library. Our mission—helping people to tell their stories and transform their worlds into books—aims to inspire imagination, empathy, and understanding across diverse audiences.
Addressing Specific Community Needs
Artists Book House’s programming will target a broad demographic, serving book lovers, makers, readers, and writers from the Chicagoland area, while also reaching marginalized and underserved populations. Specifically:
Children: We will pursue partnerships with local schools to offer book arts programming to students, bringing creative learning into the classroom.
Teenagers: We will provide courses to help teens develop portfolios for college applications or as prerequisites for our advanced classes. Additionally, internship and scholarship opportunities will be offered to support and train local youth.
Adults: By offering college-level courses at community art school prices, we will make professional-level art and literary skills accessible to more people, breaking down the cost barriers associated with formal arts education.
Senior Citizens, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other underserved communities: We are committed to creating a diverse and equitable artistic environment, with specific programs geared toward these groups to foster inclusion and community building.
While we have only recently acquired this building, we have been doing online and (post-pandemic) in-person programming since our founding in 2019. Our faculty, featured artists, and exhibiting artists are both drawn from national, international, and Chicago's diverse community of artists and writers. Our goal is always to bring the best skills-based practitioners to speak to or teach our community.
We have hosted in-person panel conversations with Julia Arredondo (artist and zinester), Jill Gage (custodian of the John M. Wing Foundation on the History of Printing at the Newberry Library), Eric Von Haynes (Flatlands Press, Chicago Printers Guild, Paper Jam), Chris Aldana (co-founder of Luya Poetry) , Carey Cranston (President of the American Writers Museum), DL Moore (owner of Semicolon Bookstore), and Mike Zapata, (founding editor of MAKE Literary).
We have offered in-person workshops and online tutorials taught by artists Ben Blount, Katie Chung, Regin Igloria, Toya Wolfe, Shawn Sheehy, Amber Favorite, Jen Farrell, Don Widmer, Todd Summar, Jamie Thome, Raychel Steinbach, Sarah Noreen, Jessica Spring, Andrea Peterson, Tom Greensfelder, and Hannah Batsel.
Our online series of artist and writer "Conversations" and "Collaborations"—featuring a diverse roster of local, national, and international artists— can be found online at www.artistsbookhouse.org/conversations, and www.artistsbookhouse.org/collaborations.