Mariane Ibrahim hosts acclaimed exhibitions, with a founding focus on the African diaspora, from leading and emerging artists including Amoako Boafo, Yukimasa Ida, Peter Uka and Zohra Opoku. The gallery has worked with global renowned institutions and has had an international presence at art fairs with acclaimed and prize-winning presentations. Seven years after launching her namesake gallery in Seattle, Mariane Ibrahim moved the space to Chicago in 2019. In September 2021, the gallery opened its inaugural European space in Paris and in 2023 it opened a third space in Mexico City.

FIND THEM AT
Mariane Ibrahim | Chicago: 437 N Paulina St. Chicago, IL
Mariane Ibrahim | Paris: 18 Av. Matignon. Paris, France
Mariane Ibrahim | Mexico City: Río Pánuco 36, Col. Renacimiento, Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico

Monique Meloche Gallery was founded in October 2000, with its debut exhibition ‘Homewrecker’ at Meloche’s home, and officially opened to the public in May 2001. Diverse and inclusive since its inception, the gallery promotes politically minded contemporary art, aiming to be a bellwether for artistic talents early or under-recognized in their careers. Working with an international group of emerging and established artists in all media, the gallery presents conceptually challenging installations in Chicago and at art fairs internationally, with an emphasis on curatorial and institutional outreach.

FIND THEM AT
451 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60622

PATRON is a contemporary art gallery in Chicago created by Julia Fischbach and Emanuel Aguilar in 2015. PATRON is founded on the defining characteristics of a patron of the arts: a person chosen, named or honored as a special guardian, protector or supporter. With this foundation set as a cornerstone, the gallery hopes to help open new avenues for audiences to engage with and find access to contemporary art.

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1612 W Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL

Povos is a dynamic hub for curated shows, resources for emerging artists, and community-focused arts and education initiatives. Founded in 2020 by Chicago artist and educator Lucca Colombelli, Povos quickly grew from an online platform to a physical gallery space at 2000 N Milwaukee in 2022 . After moving to the West Town gallery district in 2023, Povos expanded to a second exhibition space, Povos Downtown, in 2024. This recent expansion is a result of Povos' partnership with artist and gallerist Winston Guo, of W. Gallery.

FIND THEM AT
Povos | West Town: 1541 W Chicago Ave. Chicago IL
Povos | Downtown: 600 W Van Buren St. Chicago IL

Since the MCA’s inception in 1967, it has been our mission to exhibit new and experimental art, paired with ambitious learning programs. The MCA’s exhibitions feature the art of our time in every possible media by artists of local and international renown. Here, the public can experience the work and ideas of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art being made today. The MCA also features the award-winning Marisol Restaurant and Bar as well as the MCA Store that Condé Nast Traveler calls “one of the best museum gift shops (ever.)”

In addition to quarterly programming with the MCA, in the coming months EarlyWork members will receive discounted membership offerings from the museum.

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220 E Chicago Ave. Chicago IL

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago theater company founded in 1974 by Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry, and Gary Sinise in Highland Park, Illinois. Over the course of the 1980s, the company continuously expanded, producing plays that went on to receive national and international attention. In 1991, Steppenwolf built its current theater at 1650 N Halsted St. in Chicago with three performing spaces, the largest seating 550. Striving to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment, Steppenwolf has now grown into a company, which includes 49 ensemble members whose strengths include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. Now in its fifth decade as a professional theatre company, Steppenwolf has received unprecedented national and international recognition, including a series of Tony Awards and The National Medal of Arts.

In addition to programming with Steppenwolf, in the coming months EarlyWork members will receive discounted ticketing and membership codes from the theatre.

FIND THEM AT
1650 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL

Stoodio is the first local digital marketplace connecting visual artists and their work to collectors and institutions. The company offers an approachable online platform for collectors who want a personalized means of navigating Chicago's arts landscape. In the coming months, EarlyWork members will receive early access to work by artists on Stoodio at a discount and exclusive invites to visit the artists at their studio to learn more about their practice.

FIND THEM AT
https://stoodio.art/