Details have been revealed for the renovation and expansion of the South Side Community Art Center at 3831 S Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville. Located just north of the intersection with E Pershing Road, the center currently operates out of a historic mansion with a vacant side yard. Design efforts are being led by Future Firm, with wrkSHäp serving as the preservation architect.
Rendering of South Side Community Art Center by Future Firm
Rendering of South Side Community Art Center by Future Firm
The center was started as a committee in 1938 by businessman Golden B. Darby. This was in order to compete for funding for an art center through the Federal Arts Project as a result of The New Deal. Through various fundraisers, the center was established within the current mansion. Having now become the longest running African American art institution in the country.
Rendering of gallery space by Future Firm
Rendering of ballroom by Future Firm
The project includes a new 10,000 square-foot expansion to the rear of the original mansion, adding a new accessible entrance in the side yard. The expansion’s first floor will contain multiple flex rooms that can be used as classrooms as well as new restrooms. The second floor will be dedicated to museum staff with offices, collections, archives, and storage rooms.
Rendering of event center by Future Firm
Rendering of gallery space by Future Firm
The third and final floor will be a multi-use event space that opens up to a rooftop deck over the second floor below. The building will be clad in metal panels in two colors, some with a perforated pattern meant to mimic the holes in the walls left by nails of past exhibitions. With improved gallery spaces, the project will expand visitor capacity by 398-percent.
Rendering of new entry by Future Firm
Rendering of new entry by Future Firm
Overall, the project will cost $15 million that is being funded via private and public funds, including the Illinois Art Council according to Block Club. Work is set to start soon and will be performed by Brown & Momen and Berglund Construction, with an expected completion date set for the second half of 2026.
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