enhance the training refined in New York by providing a key resource for both the artists and the congregations : money . Artists that completed all the training modules gained access to rental assistance to help make space-use at participating congregations viable and to support the development of a longer-term partnership . That incentive fostered relationships with almost every congregation that participated in the program . Congregations that completed the program were also given the opportunity to apply for mid-size capital grants to improve their facilities in ways that would make them more attractive and accessible to artists . Six congregations were awarded a total of $ 135,000 for these projects ,
which included upgrades to lighting and sound equipment , building out a local creative hub , installation of climate control systems , and “ facelifts ” for existing performance spaces .
For Rev . JeVon Moore , pastor of Bryn Mawr Community Church in the South Shore neighborhood , the capital grant was a way to realize a long-standing dream of the congregation . “ In the 1960s , Time Magazine wrote a feature article about the Christmas pageant that would happen in our theater ,” said Rev . Moore . “ When I learned about that , I said , ‘ We have to get this back online .’” Bryn Mawr Community Church will use its grant dollars to repaint the theater and repair the windows so that theater groups can use the space for rehearsals and performances , bringing the tradition of community theater back to the church and to South Shore .
DiLossi , who built up Partners ’ Arts in Sacred Places program over more than a decade , describes it as a counterexample for cities that are wringing their hands over vacant entertainment districts — by investing in vibrant art scenes at the neighborhood level . “ All across the country , we are seeing large theater companies , companies we all thought were solid in their finances — mostly due to their artistic quality , their audience following , and lastly their permanent venue — closing their doors , cutting staff and programming , or losing their space ,” said DiLossi . “ The impact of this program may bring more artists back to the core of why they became artists in the first place : to do the art , not to maintain a building . By harnessing the beauty and stature of these historic houses of worship , these artists are enabling these facilities to do exactly what they were meant to do 25 , 50 , or 100 , 150 years ago : bring people together for a communal and perhaps even spiritual experience that art and worship can both create . These houses of worship are community centers in their neighborhoods , and the artists can help them fully realize that potential .”
For Rev . Sarah Lyn Jones , Partners ’ Director of Community Engagement , the SSASS program presents a unique opportunity for a broader conversation . Jones has lived for 13 years on Chicago ’ s South Side and sees enormous potential for the development of underserved neighborhoods using sacred places . “ These buildings and congregations represent social and public infrastructure that is critically underutilized ,” Jones said . “ Artists didn ’ t know the abundance of resources that were already in their neighborhoods , and congregations didn ’ t know there was a need they could so easily fulfill . More importantly , the city and local funders couldn ’ t imagine the potential that could be unlocked with a little financial support .” Jones wonders what might be possible if entire civic sectors began to see sacred places as public infrastructure . “ What if we started public health conversations knowing that there was already space for health clinics in every neighborhood ? Or economic development conversations knowing there was already space for vocational training and job placement programs ?”
With the success of the SSASS program , Partners hopes to find other funders who will invest in partnerships between congregations and artists to enhance the access and viability of arts and culture throughout Chicago and especially in neighborhoods that have historically been overlooked for arts funding .
24 SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2025