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Q1 2025 President's Report

Highlights from the CAC

January-March 2025

Highlights from the CAC

January-March 2025

LETTER FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT

Dear Board, Docents and Staff,

At the Chicago Architecture Center, we know that much of the pride Chicagoans feel for their city is rooted in our shared built environment. But part of loving a place is being willing to ask: How can we make it better? This question was at the heart of Chicago Community Planning Academy, a pilot program we developed in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Through our inaugural eight-week program, 20 participants from all over Chicago were empowered to actively shape and revitalize their communities for improved quality of life. Local experts on housing, urban design and government informed the program.  

Whether through civic planning or cultural exploration, CAC is a place where Chicagoans connect with their city. Since the beginning of 2025, we’ve been busy with programming inside and outside of the Center. 

  • We opened Constructing Hope: Ukraine, which showcases how architects in Ukraine are rebuilding amid war and retaining citizens in place. The exhibition reminds us that architecture is about more than structures; it’s about people, resilience and building the future.
  • This winter, we also saw civic pride through the eyes of architects in our new Architectural Head Games exhibition. The exhibit features headdresses designed by local architects and inspired by their favorite Chicago buildings. The result is an imaginative celebration of the city’s most beloved structures—and a reflection of how deeply architecture is woven into the identity of Chicago. 
  • We celebrated the connection between architecture and film at the annual Architecture & Design Film Festival. The selected films, shown at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Gene Siskel Film Center, explored the intersection of design and the human experience.
  • And as the weather warms, we’ve officially relaunched the Chicago Architecture River Cruise aboard First Lady, as well as our lineup of CAC walking tours. These programs remain some of the most impactful ways we connect residents and tourists alike to our built environment—and we’re so grateful to our volunteer docents for making every tour informative, welcoming and unforgettable.

Looking forward, we’re excited to launch our first pre-apprenticeship program in the construction trades this summer. This new free initiative, designed to open doors for young adults, reflects our belief that Chicago should be built by the people who call it home.

Thank you for your continued support of the CAC!

Eleanor Gorski, AIA

CEO & President

Q1 Highlights

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    Local artists featured in the Design Store
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    Individual Giving
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    Films Screened at the Architecture and Design Film Festival
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Chicago Community Planning Academy

In January, the CAC launched the Chicago Community Planning Academy, an eight-week pilot program developed with the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Designed for community members interested in urban planning, the program covered topics like zoning, housing and neighborhood development through expert-led sessions, case studies, and site visits. Weekly shared meals and discussions fostered connection and collaboration. Participants left with practical knowledge, new networks and tools to help shape more equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods across Chicago.

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Media Highlights

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Architecture And Design Film Fest Bridges Chicago To World With 5 Days Of Film

Block Club Chicago, January 29

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Chicago Architecture Center exhibit highlights Ukraine reconstruction efforts

Fox 32 Chicago, March 6

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More CAC in the News

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Open House Chicago offers much to explore

from Art Nouveau clubs to antique shops

Chicago Sun-Times, October 19

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Chicagoans, here's how you can weigh in on city planning and development

By Eleanor Gorski

Published in the Chicago Sun-Times 10/25/2024

What do you value in our city’s built environment? Residents have options to provide their input on what’s best for the city’s development, the head of the Chicago Architecture Center writes.

Chicagoans live among architectural richness every day—from the Neo-gothic buttresses of the Tribune Tower to the bungalows in our neighborhoods. But simply appreciating buildings doesn’t do justice to the profound role design plays in shaping our lives. As new developments loom on the horizon like potential new Bears and White Sox stadiums and PsiQuantum’s high-tech campus on the Far South Side, it’s crucial for Chicagoans to be informed and engaged in the planning process. Fortunately, there are many ways for citizens to step beyond online discussions, engage directly and make their voices count.

One of the best ways to start is by exploring Chicago’s existing architectural landscape and forming an opinion about what you value in our built environment. Last weekend, more than 30,000 people did just that at Open House Chicago. Hosted by the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) every October for the past 14 years, OHC is a free festival that gives behind-the-scenes access to some of the most meaningful architectural and cultural sites in Chicago. 

This year’s festival saw a substantial increase in visitors over last year, with 53% of them visiting a neighborhood they’d never been to before, 71% saying their opinion of those new neighborhoods improved once they actually visited. Additionally, 96% of locals said the event made them proud to be a Chicagoan.

As a Chicagoan, you can use the knowledge gained by attending festivals like Open House Chicago or simply exploring the city on your own time to advocate for what you want—or don’t want—built in your city. With many developers and companies seeking public funding for their projects right now, this is a pivotal moment for Chicago residents to make your voice heard.

For those ready to take it a step further, the planning and development process isn’t just for elected officials. Neighborhood forums are regularly held in many areas to discuss local development, zoning changes and infrastructure improvements—though they need to be expanded to even more communities. When citizens engage in these conversations, they influence decisions around neighborhood development. Beyond that, events like the Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s City Civics Day, happening on November 9, are designed to help residents better understand how to participate in shaping the city’s future.

For those passionate about preserving Chicago’s architectural history, there are organizations like Preservation Chicago and Landmarks Illinois that offer meaningful ways to get involved. These groups fight to protect the city’s architectural heritage, advocating for the preservation of buildings at risk of demolition and promoting adaptive reuse. By volunteering, donating, or becoming a member, residents can help ensure that new development doesn’t erase Chicago’s history or its unique character.

It’s also important to consider the role of elected officials in shaping the future of Chicago’s skyline. With the November election quickly approaching, you have the powerful opportunity to make your voice heard at the ballot box. Local elections often have a direct impact on development decisions. If you care about what gets built in our city, research candidates’ positions on housing, infrastructure and land use. By voting for leaders who align with your values, you can help shape policies that reflect the needs of your community.

Our built environment is not static—it is constantly evolving. Chicago could soon look like a different city; it’s critical that this transformation reflects the needs and wants of the people who live and work here. After all, it is Chicagoans themselves who should be the ultimate deciders of what is best for Chicago.

Published in the Chicago Sun-Times 10/25/2024

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Questions or input?

Please contact Jorrie Jarrett with any questions or input on the content of this report.