Marwen Impact Report

“At Marwen, everyone wants to see you succeed.”
—Emily

Letter from the Executive Director

Welcome! I’m delighted to provide this snapshot of the transformative experiences that Marwen offers to young people. As an arts nonprofit, we are dedicated to nurturing growth by providing opportunities to practice art, engage in creative fields, and join a welcoming, inclusive community. We are honored to share the profound impact your contributions have had on our students and their families.

So much has changed over the past few years. The pandemic altered where we work, how we live, learn, communicate, and even make art. Amid the challenges of our evolving world, Marwen has had to recalibrate and reinvigorate ourselves and the organization. Yet, we are here. We remain resilient, meeting families where they are, and committed to supporting young people across Chicago now and into the future. Read More>

Akilah Halley
Executive Director

Marwen Stories

Since 1987, Marwen has educated and inspired young people to build their futures through creativity and community. We’re about art…and so much more. College and career counseling. Being open to possibilities. Capturing experiments. Beginning anywhere. Asking questions. Finding new friends. Laughing, changing, listening, and thinking. We help individuals engage and believe in the extraordinary power of creative work—and themselves.

Testimonials & Video

Marwen parent,
poet Leslé Honoré

“It’s a great community. You can make a lot of friends here and find a lot of cool opportunities for yourself.”
—Jacob

“Marwen is a place I consider to be my safe haven. My identity as an artist and person is valued.”

“Marwen created a foundation for me to dream.”

—Clemenstien

“My instructors talk about building up my art resume and portfolio for college…they really care about my future.”
—Isabella

“Marwen is the chillest, sweetest, friendliest place you will ever be…there’s never a reason to feel nervous here.”
—Isaiah

“You have access to all types of things at Marwen. There’s so much going on that you can literally do it all.”
—Pedro

“Being an artist has always been my dream…and at Marwen, everyone wants to see you succeed.” —Emily

Holiday 2019 video highlighting our mission at work—young people sculpting, painting, drawing, and more.

Paintbrush Ball 2022 video featuring students speaking to how Marwen has influenced their life.

Marwen student, Eric, takes over our feed in 2020 to share a day in his life of art making.

Highlights By Year

Over the arc of the pandemic, Marwen faced unprecedented challenges. Like many others, we had to daily redesign and reimagine our work in order to best serve our young people and families—all while staying on mission under financial stress. Yet, we are here. Resilient and committed to the future. The information below presents highlights from 2019-2022 and how Marwen has persevered.

2019: RECOGNIZE

• Marwen responds to the 14-day long CPS strike by providing full time classes 5-days/week.
• Art Fair achieves record-breaking sales in support of programs.
• Marwen partners with the Night Ministry to have young people create a 20’ mural on the side of their Chicago headquarters.
• Enrollment: 2020
2020: RECALIBRATE

• Covid halts all in-person classes at Marwen. Programs are quickly redesigned to be online and supplies are provided to remote students.
• Online classes focus not only on art but also community building.
• Marwen’s 33rd Birthday is celebrated with cupcake deliveries across the city.
• Programs are launched to assist instructors during the pandemic.
• Enrollment: 893
2021: REEMERGE

• Courses develop into a hybrid model with classes held both in-person and online .
• Forever Changed talk hosted on the intersection of youth, arts, & social justice.
• Marwen offers vaccinations for students, staff, family, and neighbors.
• Paid internships and commissions provide income to students as Marwen continues to reemerge from the pandemic.
• Enrollment: 718
2022: REACTIVATE

• Classes with students attending in person and online continue.
• Marwen doubles the amount of courses offered to young people from 2021.
• Marwen completes and implements an organization-wide racial equity program.
• Art Fair and Paintbrush Ball return to in-person events.
• Enrollment: 859
2019–2022 Theory of Impact

Marwen programs are designed to:
• Build a community of peers and adults
• Learn artistic techniques with context
• Make art individually and collaboratively
• Access employment and leadership roles
Through participation, young people:
• Are seen, heard, valued, and uplifted
• Hone artistic skills and expression
• Expand imagination and problem solving
• Build work experience, ambition, and pathways

Moving Forward

Marwen has always been a wellspring of resilience and creativity. However, the scale and urgency of challenges facing us today require that we rethink what has made us successful in the past to ensure we have a strong, viable future. We’re meeting young people where they are and where they’re going by:

Invigorating programming for students by expanding course offerings and building creative sector career development through the incorporation of specific skills into each studio.
Propelling enrollment to full capacity by building new relationships in schools, harnessing the strength of community partnerships, and addressing transportation concerns.
Leveraging our robust alumni network for connections and opportunities.

By the Numbers: 2019–2022

WHO WE SERVE: Our community is composed of young people in grades 6-12 who live in Chicago and experience financial and systemic barriers to an arts education and/or access to post-secondary opportunities.

• Percentage of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods served: 100%
• Percentage of young people from low-income families: 95%
• Percentage of young people who identify as BIPOC: 75%
• Percentage of young people homeschooled: 18%
• Percentage of young people in public school: 75%

ENROLLMENT: Young people have the power to create and imagine the future. We strive to increase course offerings and enrollment each year.

• Total enrollment: 4490
• Total number of unique students: 2635

PROGRAMMING: Marwen courses, educational and career counseling, and paid internships provide young people with pathways to a thriving adulthood.

• Course and workshops offered: 326
• Class hours provided: 24,450
• College and Career counseling sessions provided: 300+

Financial Statements 2019–2022

990 Forms: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

From the way we steward donations to the solar panels on our roof, Marwen is dedicated to a sustainable future. We have a civic soul and are committed to Chicago—but most of all, we’re committed to the young people and families we serve. The numbers below add precision to how we make our work happen, who's involved in our story, and what Marwen offers.

Marwen Studios & Spaces

Once a printing facility, Marwen’s building was renovated in 2015 to provide young people with inspiring, professionally equipped studios unmatched in Chicago. Ten light-filled studios plus additional flex spaces, family areas, and exhibition galleries are spread over three floors for individuals to use as they explore their creative powers.

Technology

STUDIO ONE
Technology 3D Printing

STUDIO TWO
Technology

STUDIO THREE
Painting and Drawing

STUDIO FOUR
Multimedia

STUDIO FIVE
Ceramics

STUDIO SIX
Print Media

STUDIO SEVEN
Fashion & Fiber

STUDIO EIGHT
Portfolio Resources

LAB ONE
Photo and Lighting

LAB TWO
Exhibition Gallery

FIRST FLOOR
Lounge & Gallery Area

FIRST FLOOR
Marwen Exterior

NEAR CTA TRAIN AND BUS LINES

From 2019–2022, Marwen provided nearly 2700 young people with high-quality visual arts courses as well as college planning and career counseling sessions. Because of you, all of this is offered at no cost to the individuals and families we serve. Thank you. We’re so grateful for your support and belief in our work.

List of donors 2019–2022

Supporting Marwen

DONATE

Interested in learning more about Marwen’s programs and offerings?
Click to view our main site, support our work, or connect on social media. Thanks!

“At Marwen, everyone wants to see you succeed.” —Emily

Letter from the Executive Director

Marwen Stories

Testimonials & Video

“Marwen created a foundation for me to dream.”

Highlights By Year

2019: RECOGNIZE

2020: RECALIBRATE

2021: REEMERGE

2022: REACTIVATE

2019–2022 Theory of Impact

Moving Forward

By the Numbers: 2019–2022

Marwen Studios & Spaces

Technology

Technology 3D Printing

Technology

Painting and Drawing

Multimedia

Ceramics

Print Media

Fashion & Fiber

Portfolio Resources

Photo and Lighting

Exhibition Gallery

Lounge & Gallery Area

Marwen Exterior

Supporting Marwen

“At Marwen, everyone wants to see you succeed.”
—Emily