Art Encounter is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through interactive encounters with visual art. Our broad range of programs foster community, creativity, and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
What’s NeW:
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
We’re going to Denmark!
We’re excited to announce an exciting new trip coming in September of 2025: we’ll be exploring the unique art scene, distinctive architecture, and incredible cuisine of Denmark. Check out the details or let us know you’re interested.
Winter Programs Around the Corner
Registration is now open for part 1 of our Winter Series. Meet us online this January to delve into a world of color as we explore the lives and work of three early 20th century artists: Marc Chagall, Sonia Delaunay, and Robert Delaunay. Plus, don’t miss your chance to attend the first annual West Loop Contemporary Fine Art Expo this February! All tickets purchased through Art Encounter will directly benefit our outreach programs.
What’s NeW:
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Looking Back on 2024
Our outreach programs made a big difference for those we served in 2024, from students and classroom teachers to seniors in graduated care facilities and members of the disability community. Read our Stories of Community Impact to learn how we brought creativity and connection to people all over the greater Chicago area this year.
Making for Memory: A New Program
We’re very pleased to have launched a new senior program this fall. Making for Memory: A Special Place is a nine week series serving residents of Paul House and Greenview Place in Chicago. Through conversations about original artworks and art-making activities, each participant creates a personal piece honoring a special place from their memory. This program is generously sponsored by The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust.
What’s NeW:
Murals
Giving Tuesday is December 3
This Giving Tuesday, we’re asking our community to help make our mission possible– especially our efforts to enrich our home town through public art. Want to bring more murals to Evanston in 2025? Make a donation or share our posts on instagram and Facebook!
An EPIC Season of Murals
Our 2024 mural season included four incredible new projects. The Sun-Times profiled our Meals on Wheels mural by Damon Lamar Reed and our Noyes Street mural by Jordan Nickel/POSE. The Evanston RoundTable also featured our longest mural to date at 909 Davis by Max Sansing and our collaborative Evanston Women’s History Mural by Sholo Beverly. Visit our 2024 Murals page to view more photos of these projects, and follow our mural program on instagram to find out what’s on the horizon for 2025.
Public and Member Programs
Join us for interactive art tours of museums, galleries, private collections, and local artists’ studios, in person and online!
Community Outreach
Our community programs for local public school students, residents of senior living facilities, adults with disabilities, and more are at the heart of Art Encounter’s mission.
Mural Program
Our Evanston Mural Arts Program exists to make art available to all by uplifting and beautifying our home town with large-scale public murals.
Opportunities for Artists
Join our monthly Critique Group, open your studio for a tour, or become a teaching artist!
Art Travel
Our trips offer the chance to experience the art world in a fresh and stimulating new way.
