Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events .
“ It ’ s not that the arts aren ’ t happening [ on the South Side ],” said Coya Paz , Director of Free Street Theater , “ but space is incredibly hard to come by . Free Street lost our storefront space … in August 2022 , and it took us over a year to find another space in the community to rent . There are a lot of storefronts left purposely empty ( for tax credit ) in divested neighborhoods . Meanwhile , what I ’ ve learned from the SSASS program is that there are a lot of sacred spaces that are eager to activate their spaces to serve the community in ways that are aligned with their values and mission .”
As part of the SSASS program , 18 congregations and 44 artists or arts groups came together for joint training sessions . The program began with each participant describing its mission and values — the key inspiration and drivers of its work . In these introductions , the two communities began to see the overlap and intersection that could lay the foundation for a strong partnership . “ These arts users will act as a direct reflection on the congregations hosting them so it is imperative that the artists and congregations share a value set ,” said Karen DiLossi , Partners ’ Director of Strategic Partnerships . “ Each one can act as an extension of the other ’ s mission and vision for the community ’ s future . Doing a value and mission alignment provides the best possible foundation for success in the space-sharing partnership .”
Exterior of First Presbyterian Church in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago . Arts Alliance Illinois
22 SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2025