Artists are unsupported & isolated. Businesses want to give back & are trying to differentiate, and community leaders are undervalued & overworked.
This trifecta creates a world in which we have fewer artists, bland corporate participation, and community leaders whose efforts are being fundamentally undercut.
The problem is one in which:
The systematic defunding of the arts means far too many kids and families don’t have access to the creative experiences that get us thinking about ourselves and the world in new ways. What’s more, data proves that cultural resources lead to improvement in a range of areas, including health, education, and safety.
And when we see the arts not being funded or supported properly at that level, we see an opportunity to make a difference through creativity, innovation, and heart.
What if more artists turned their artwork into careers?
What if businesses were supporting creative causes in their own backyard?
What if communities and their leaders had what they needed to make schools, parks,
libraries and youth centers the vibrant places they need to be?
At IPaintMyMind, we’ve created a model built on mutual benefit and shared value. Whether artists, businesses, or communities, our partnerships create a wheel of collaboration that turns art into impact by creating value through meaningful participation.
Our Shared Walls Program is one of the main ways we do that, and this is how it works:
Art is the catalyst, we are the conduit and our heroes: the artists, businesses & community leaders we work with, fuel it all.
By creating art experiences in non-traditional spaces, we mobilize our permanent art collection & curation services to make Chicago a more equal, creative, and connected place.
purchased directly from artists
provided with exhibitions
engaged with local art citywide
collaborating with artists, businesses, educators, students, and community leaders