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.
Our Spring Benefit Kaleidoscope is May 6!
Mark your calendars for May 6, 2025 to join us at Le Tour Brasserie in Evanston for our biennial spring benefit and art auction, Kaleidoscope! This event raises essential funds for our organization, and gives us the opportunity to show appreciation for our supporters as well as fellow local arts leaders who have made an impact on our community. This year, our Art Impacts Honorees are Natalie van Straaten and Ginny B. Van Alyea of Chicago Gallery News, and our Community Partner of the year is Andy Vick of Downtown Evanston. More information about the event can be found here!
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.
Linking Generations is Back
Thanks to support from the Innovation 80 Foundation, we will be reviving our beloved Linking Generations program this spring. This intergenerational project pairs youth and seniors living in the same community to get to know each other and collaborate on a shadowbox project related to an area of connection—a shared interest, a value, a dream—that the pair has discovered. This program will take place at Family Matters in Rogers Park, our community partner for this program. We can't wait to kick off in just a few weeks!
What’s NeW:
Murals
Four Murals in Wilmette this Winter
Our Evanston Mural Arts Program not only serves our local community, but neighboring communities as well. This season, we worked with Wilmette School District 39 to create murals for four elementary schools: McKenzie, Central, Romona, and Harper! Lead artist Molly Z. explored themes of patterning and personal iconography with 400 students as they brought these dynamic, biomorphic works to life.
Butterfly Garden Mural at Chute School
This spring we are partnering with Evanston's Chute Middle School to create an exterior mural for their Butterfly Garden. 80 students will be working with lead artist Mario Mena to create a mural about butterfly migration, the students’ own migration stories, and the uniquely diverse community at Chute. This project is part of the Healing Illinois initiative, supported by Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with The Field Foundation of Illinois.
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.
