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The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC), established in 1940, is the nation’s first art center dedicated solely to Black art and artists. Located in the heart of Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, SSCAC has been a vital institution for over eight decades, championing the work of Black artists and serving as a cultural cornerstone. Founded during a time when opportunities for Black artists were scarce, SSCAC emerged from the vision of trailblazing figures like Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Charles White, and Archibald Motley. They came together with the shared goal of creating a space where Black creativity could thrive without restriction. Their efforts not only established SSCAC but also set a precedent for future generations of Black artists to have a dedicated space for their work. Throughout its history, SSCAC has been more than just a gallery or an art center—it has been a sanctuary for Black artists and a platform for their voices to be heard. The center has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of countless artists while providing a space for the community to connect, learn, and grow through the arts.
Today, SSCAC continues to build on legacy by offering exhibitions, art educayon programs, and cultural community cenetre rpgrmmin that reflect the Black art and culture. As both a historical landmark and a forward-looking institution, SSCAC remains a beacon for creativity and innovation, dedicated to uplifting Black art and the community it serves. As SSCAC forges the future on the South Side, it stands as a living testament to the enduring power of art in transforming lives and communities.
ReSOURCE: Art and Resourcefulness in Black Chicago. Since the time of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, Chicago's Black culture has been defined by its creative ethos of resourcefulness. Thinking ecologically before there was an environmental movement, generations of Black artists have worked their alchemy to transform simple materials and castoff objects into beautiful art, breathe life into the city's forgotten corners, and reinvent and reclaim ancestral traditions. The South Side Community Art Center's ReSOURCEexhibition brings together 40 artists and 70 artworks (including 4 projects commissioned for the exhibition) in partnership with local community gardens and urban farms to tell this story.Curators: Bethany Hill and LaMar GaylesSupport: This exhibition is supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art as part of Art Design Chicago (ADC).Reception: Saturday, September 14, 12–3 PMURL: sscartcenter.org/resourceReSOURCE: Art and Resourcefulness in Black Chicago is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities. ReSOURCE is funded by the Terra Foundation for American Art.Social Media: Follow us on Instagram at @southsidecommunityartcenter
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