"The Bean" in Fall

Fall 2023 Events

As we gather on campus for another Fall, let Chicago Studies and our many partners make it easy to explore our city (and understand it better).  Join us for one of our Urban Hikes (and Urban Bikes) around the city, including dozens of new hikes to Chinatown, Lakeview's historic Japantown, Pilsen, Southeast, and the Riverwalk.  Closer to home, refresh your view of our campus and neighborhood with student-led walks exploring the history of 55th Street and the Olmsted heritage of our campus.  And if you haven't done them yet, it's not too late to walk the history of the Great Chicago Fire, or take a bike tour of South Side history with former College Dean Boyer...or to experience the TERROR of our annual "Spooky Chicago" event, this year reimagined as a night-time hike through downtown's most haunted sites.

Prefer to get your dose of Chicago from...well, safe indoors?  Join us for one of our many collaborators' events, like Writing Wednesdays, a weekly open house and research advising period offered in collaboration with CEGU (featuring coffee, tea, and fresh-baked cookies!); the Open Studio sessions offered in collaboration with the Architectural Studies program every Wednesday evening; and upcoming special events with Arts + Public Life, UChicago Press, and more!

Last note:  our events list is updated regularly, but always changing!  For the LATEST information delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our e-newsletter.  Interested in collaborating on a Chicago-focused event with Chicago Studies?  Learn more about our new programming grants!

Fall Quarter 2023

Note:  All of Chicago Studies' Urban Hikes & Bikes begin on (and return to) campus during the advertised timeframe, 
unless specifically noted in the EventBrite (registration page).  Getting there (and back) is half the fun!

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Knock some of downtown Chicago's most famous sites off your to-do list, guided by Chicago trivia expert (and beloved tour guide) Alex Bean of the College's Law, Letters, & Society program. This urban hike will visit world-famous landmarks, like the city's famed skyscrapers and the iconic Michigan Avenue Bridge, alongside popular attractions like the Riverwalk and Millennium Park. The route will circle the Loop, Chicago's bustling heart, and take time to visit everything from provocative public art to easily-missed historical curiosities. Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: Chicago's Downtown Loop | September 23rd, 10:00AM-1:30PM CDT

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Explore some of Chicago's diverse ecosystems on this guided tour of Rainbow Beach with Professor Alison Anastasio. With its beach, wetland, and dune habitats, Rainbow Beach Dunes Natural Area contains many fascinating plant species. The dunes have benefited greatly from the dedication and hard work of community volunteers who collect and scatter native seed, plant native species, pick up trash, monitor vegetation and birds, and remove invasive species. Learn more about these spectacular ecosystems and their volunteer opportunities on this Urban Hike. Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: Rainbow Beach Dunes | September 23rd, 8 AM - noon CDT

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Walk the practice of artist Amber Ginsburg beginning at Untidy Objects, a living sculpture created with Sara Black, Samantha Frost, and UChicago students, and then continue through the landscape of the Woodlawn neighborhood to see ways in which the arts are bringing new life to this nearby community. Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: Untidy Objects Sculpture Walk and near South Side Derive | September 23rd, 9:00AM-1:00PM 

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Alongside Professor William Nickell, this tour will introduce students to the rich and complex histories of the neighborhoods surrounding campus and orient them to its many landmarks and natural beauties. Participants will learn about biking in the city, then spend 2.5 hours riding through Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Kenwood and Bronzeville. Learn more and register.

    Urban Bike: Historic Campus Neighborhoods | September 23rd, 9:00AM-12:00PM 

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Join us for a birding excursion with UChicago alum and head of the Chicago Ornithological Society Edward Warden in Palmisano Park -- a former limestone quarry that has been converted into one of the city's most celebrated neighborhood parks. Binoculars will be provided, and no prior experience necessary!  Learn more and register here.

    Urban Hike:  Palmisano Park Nature Hike | September 23rd, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Come explore the south side and its garden spaces with South Shore Bicycle Works! Cruise through Englewood, Woodlawn and South Shore, visiting community spaces large and small. We will ride 5-6 miles, meet the people behind some of the gardens, and share food and laughter with your guides, who are all long time residents of the area.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Bike: South Side Community Gardens Tour | September 23rd, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Join us for the first hike in our two part hike series on Saturday, September 23rd! Between 1920 and 2020, the Chicago neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Washington Park saw enormous changes. Some of these were driven by national movements; some by citywide trends; some by actions taken by our University, as it embarked upon a then-groundbreaking experiment in social engineering that laid the groundwork for "urban renewal" projects across the country. How did these changes play out on a thoroughfare that many of us use every day? What was gained? What (and who) was lost along the way?  Part 1 of this hike will explore Hyde Park's history of urban renewal; it will be followed (after a short break for coffee and bathrooms!) by part 2, which will explore the Washington Park neighborhood.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: A Century on 55th Street - Hyde Park | September 23rd, 9:00 - 11:00 AM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Join us for the second hike in our two part hike series on Saturday, September 23rd! Between 1920 and 2020, the Chicago neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Washington Park saw enormous changes. Some of these were driven by national movements; some by citywide trends; some by actions taken by our University, as it embarked upon a then-groundbreaking experiment in social engineering that laid the groundwork for "urban renewal" projects across the country. How did these changes play out on a thoroughfare that many of us use every day? What was gained? What (and who) was lost along the way?  This hike -- in the Washington Park Neighborhood -- will take place after Part 1 (Hyde Park) so that participants can learn the full sweep of history along 55th Street/Garfield Boulevard.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: A Century on 55th Street - Washington Park | September 23rd, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Explore the social landscape of Chinatown and how this unique urban space reflects different cultural themes, residential neighborhood perception, and planning policies. Led by UChicago's Crystal Bae (Center for Spatial Data Science) and Cate Fugazzola (Global Studies).  We'll discuss Chinatown as well as other ethnic enclaves of Chicago, visit Ping Tom Park to explore environmental aspects of the Chicago River, and stop for snacks as we explore Chicago's Chinatown.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: Chicago's Chinatown | September 25th, 9 AM - 1 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    New to birding or a full-fledged “birder”? All experience levels are welcome to join us for our Welcome Week bird walk in Washington Park with the President of the Chicago Ornithological Society, and UChicago Alum, Edward Warden! Head onto the quiet beaches near campus and witness the dazzling number of species that call Chicago home. Binoculars provided! Learn more and register. 

    Urban Hike: Birding in Washington Park | September 25th, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT 

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    The race for the atomic bomb began in Hyde Park. The atomic scientists did their work in buildings on the University of Chicago campus. They lived in the Hyde Park community, the first "atomic village," like Oak Ridge and Los Alamos but completely different. The tour (led by political scientist and Chicago historian Mark Hansen) will visit the important sites on the University campus, at each stop discussing the roles the scientists who worked there made to the development of nuclear science. We will also pass by the places many of the notable scientists lived -- Enrico Fermi, Arthur Compton, Leo Szilard, Edward Teller, Glenn Seaborg, as well as others who played important roles but are less well known. At each stop, we will discuss the events that brought them here, the role they played in first stage of the Manhattan Project, and the contributions they made later and after the war. We will also talk about what life was like for the residents of the atomic village in Hyde Park. Learn more and register. 

    Urban Hike: Hyde Park's Atomic Village | September 25th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM 

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) revolutionized our nation’s civic realm. His work on the Midway Plaisance, Washington Park and Jackson Park, as well as the work of his two sons at the University of Chicago, are local expressions of Olmsted's legacy. In this student-researched and -led walking tour guided by third year C. Hugh, we'll explore various sites on campus that showcase the Olmsted Brothers’ work and demonstrate how Frederick Law Olmsted’s influence continues to shape our campus.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: The Olmsteds on Campus | September 25th, 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    "Understanding Chicago" is a walking tour of the areas surrounding campus (Hyde Park/Kenwood, Jackson Park, Woodlawn, Washington Park) led by Chicago Studies' Executive Director Chris Skrable. While reflecting on local sites, the tour introduces participants to historic and present-day issues that have shaped the city as a whole, and asks critical questions about how these have affected (and been affected by) the University of Chicago. Themes include why Chicago became Chicago, Chicago's First Nations history, the history of Hyde Park, the World's Fair of 1893, urban renewal and its resistors, Chicago's dominance as a transportation hub, and more.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Hike: Understanding Chicago | September 25th, 9:00 - 11:30 AM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Come explore the south side and its garden spaces with South Shore Bicycle Works! Cruise through Englewood, Woodlawn and South Shore, visiting community spaces large and small. We will ride 5-6 miles, meet the people behind some of the gardens, and share food and laughter with your guides, who are all long time residents of the area.  Learn more and register.

    Urban Bike: South Side Community Gardens Tour | September 25th, 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

    Stop by the Chicago Studies table during the College Kick-Off and Academic Opportunities Fair to pick up our limited edition 2023-2024 poster (designed by our very own Chandler Hart, AB'24) as well as some new (and old favorite) Chicago Studies stickers.  Backdoor brag about your deep knowledge of Chicago history with one (or more) on your laptop and water bottle.

    College Kick-Off | September 27th, 3:30 - 6:30 PM on the Main Quad

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Walk the streets of Southeast, Chicago's once-proud Steel Town, with Steven Walsh, a documentarian ("Southeast, City within a City"), Southeast native, and Latinx activist who is working to rekindle its spirit through the preservation of its cultural heritage.  The tour will include a neighborhood walk, art-making with Southeast's own Roman Villarreal at Studio 93, and lunch by a local chef.  This hike is a good introduction to the Calumet region, which will be the focus of this year's Chicago Studies Quarter: Calumet (Spring 2024).  Register here.

     Urban Hike: Southeast, City within a City| September 30th, 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    In the middle of the night on October 8, 1871, a blaze broke out in an immigrant neighborhood on Chicago's near West Side. By the time the fire ended some thirty hours later, nearly 17,000 structures had been destroyed, and the still-young city had suffered over $200 million in damages. Walk the history of this tragic event with Chicago Studies beginning at the site of the O'Leary's barn, through downtown, and to the shores of Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park.  The hike ends at the Chicago History Museum, which has a recent exhibition about the FIre and its effect on Chicago.  Note:  This is an extra-long urban hike, over six miles in length, although it offers frequent "exit points" via CTA for hikers who can't take the heat.  Learn more and register. 

    Urban Hike: Chicago's Great Fire | October 1st, 9:00 AM-2 PM (with the option of remaining at CHM after the hike if desired)

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    This Urban Hike will venture to the first section of the floating eco-park, The Wild Mile. Located along the North Branch of the Chicago River in Lincoln Park, this brand new park is a living laboratory for research, innovation, and conservation efforts in an urban environment. Learn more and register. 

    Urban Hike: The Wild Mile | October 7th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT 

    The Washington Park Arts Lawn, a project of Chicago Studies' partners Arts + Public Life, brings nearly an acre of designed green space to Garfield Boulevard and the Washington Park neighborhood, contributing to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the community through arts marketplaces, film screenings, live performances, and youth arts education. It is part of the Washington Park Arts Block project, which builds on the neighborhood's heritage as a culture/counter-culture hotspot on Chicago's South Side.

    The Arts Lawn's Grand Opening will include performances by Kuumba Lynx, family activities, a photo booth, and the return of Arts + Public Life’s Vends + Vibes arts marketplace. The evening will conclude with a world premiere of a short film by D-Composed projected on the Green Line Performing Arts Center exterior screen wall.  Learn more and register.

    Arts Lawn Grand Opening | October 7th, 2:00 - 7:00 PM at Washington Park Arts Lawn (337 E. Garfield Blvd)

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00 - 5:00 PM at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    South Shore Bicycle Works is a newly formed biking cooperative based in South Shore, the neighborhood just southeast of Jackson Park.  But its members -- many of whom are educators and activists -- have supported Chicago Studies' events as bike marshals for years.  Stop by with your bicycle for a free tune-up, Chicago bike map, snacks, and conversation with some deeply committed lifelong Chicago bikers...just in time for our South Side History Bike Tour on Saturday!  No registration necessary, but tune-ups will be first come, first-served so come early.  Bike drop-off is available.

    Chicago Biking Clinic with South Shore Bicycle Works | Thursday, October 12th, 12:00 - 3:00 PM in 60th street courtyard of 1155 E. 60th St.

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Chicago exists because of the Chicago River, a shallow, meandering, and narrow channel that connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico by way of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi.  Learn some of the history, significance, policy, and present-day challenges surrounding the River while walking the downtown Riverwalk with CEGU's Sabina Shaikh, UChicago Sustainability's Maureen McMahon (formerly with the City of Chicago's Office of Sustainability), Chicago Studies' Chris Skrable, and representatives from the architectural firm that designed and implemented the Riverwalk for Chicago.  Register here!

    Urban Hike:  The Chicago River | October 13th, 12:30 - 4:00 PM

    For over 25 years, UChicago students, staff, and community members have been learning the histories of UChicago's South Side communities on their bicycles, guided by notoriously avid bikers John W Boyer (former College Dean and author of The University of Chicago: A History), John Mark Hansen (former Dean of the Social Sciences and author of The City in a Garden: A Guide to the History of Hyde Park and Kenwood), and Terry Nichols Clark (Professor of Sociology and author of The City as an Entertainment Machine).

    Our 25-mile Fall tour (there's also a Spring edition!) takes participants on deep dives into the stories of key figures and significant places across the mid-South and Near West Sides of the city, including Hyde Park, Bronzeville, South Loop, Back of the Yards, Bridgeport, and the Near West Side. Learn more and register.

    Urban Bike: South Side History Bike Tour | Now on announced rain date, Sunday October 15th, check in at 11:30 AM and ride from noon - approx. 5:00 PM 

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    The "Awesome Chicago BA's" presentation originally scheduled for this week will take place in Winter.

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00 - 5:00 PM at 1155 E. 60th Street

    This week, Open Studio will host a "crossover" event with Chicago Studies' partners at the Smart Museum of Art.  Based on and in dialogue with the Smart's exhibition of the work of Chicago sculptor Ruth Duckworth, Open Studio will be hosting its own making space, experimenting with some of the same materials that inspired Duckworth in the 1960s-1970s.  Join us for food, guided tours of the exhibit, and more.

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio at the Smart "Crossover" Event | Wednesday 10/18, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Smart Museum of Art

    New to Chicago this Fall, or just curious about the Windy City? Get to know your new home with Chicago Studies on one (or many) of our Urban Hikes! 

    Walk the haunted streets of the City of Sin by night with Chicago Studies' Chris Skrable to learn the bizarre-but-"true" histories of some of Chicago's most famous hauntings, villains, and ne'er-do-wells.  This is an outdoor, after-dark hike through actual sites of reported paranormal activity -- not for the chilly of body, the weak of foot, or the faint of heart!  Register here!

    Urban Hike:  Spooky Chicago | October 20, 6:30 PM - 11:00 PM

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Chicago's built environment includes a lot of haunted places...so gather around the fire with the Open Studio crew for stories of the strange, the bizarre, and the supernatural from across the Windy City.  And later in the evening, the mic may just open for you to share your own stories.  Food, hot cider, and s'mores ingredients will be provided.

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Tales of Terror: An Open Studio Bonfire | October 25, 5:00-8:00 PM outside Cochran Woods Arts Center/the Smart Museum of Art

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    This week at Open Studio, learn about upcoming classes that consider the built environment, urban design, and the Chicago region.  The Built Environment Open House is an interdisciplinary event, offering students the chance to hear about a range of classes across the College curriculum and then engage their instructors with questions after the formal presentations.

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Built Environment Open House at Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    Back by popular demand!  “Papel picado" (pecked paper) is a Mexican art form associated with the Day of the Dead.  In this workshop, led by Mexican-Chicago artist Ramón Marino and co-sponsored with the Spanish language program, Ramón will introduce participants to the ritual, artistry, and cultural significance of papel picado altar decorations during the Day of the Dead festivities.  Ramón will also show participants how to design and create papel picado for themselves.  All materials will be provided.  More info and registration coming soon.

    Papel Picado Workshop | November 1st - additional details coming soon!

    In Committee of Six, a group of people gather to enact minutes from meetings held in 1955 on the University of Chicago campus that played a part in future redlining policies, changing the social and physical landscape of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Woodlawn, and surrounding neighborhoods. The film documents the collaborative, participatory process that engaged the creative team in challenging conversations that reckon with race, history, identity, and responsibility - but how did the process lead to the finished film?

    Join Committee of Six director/creator Fred Schmidt-Arenales (BA ‘13) and creative producer/performer Ellenor Riley-Condit (BA ‘11) for a special screening and workshop that investigates the filmmakers' process. Participants will watch the film, hear from the filmmakers about their goals and strategies for the project, and use self-reflective prompts to consider how their own collaborative projects might employ similar strategies.

    Check out the trailer for the film: https://vimeo.com/747685107.  Box lunch included.  Presented by Arts + Public Life and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture with support from Chicago Studies and UChicago Careers in the Arts.

    Register soon for your spot in the workshop on Eventbrite!

    The Art of Participation: Committee of Six and Collaborative Process | Thursday, November 2, 2023, 11:30am-2pm
    The University of Chicago Center for Identity + Inclusion (5710 South Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637)

    Join Arts + Public Life, Chicago Studies, and the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture (CSRPC) for a public screening and discussion of Committee of Six, an award-winning new film that uses innovative performative strategies and archival documents to delve into the complicated history of UChicago’s relationship to nearby neighborhoods, produced by Fred Schmidt-Arenales (BA ‘13) and Ellenor Riley-Condit (BA ‘11). Committee of Six is an enactment of archival minutes taken during meetings held at the University of Chicago in 1955 between community leaders and University officials for the purpose of creating an “Urban Renewal Program" for Hyde Park (see our Century on 55th Street project). The film invites comparison between the language of the past and the contemporary reality of gentrification and racist real estate practices in Chicago. View the film trailer here.  Register here!

    "Committee of Six" Screening and Discussion | November 3, 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Washington Park's Green Line Performing Arts Center (329 E Garfield Blvd)

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153

    Writing Wednesdays, co-sponsored by Chicago Studies and CEGU, is a dedicated writing block created to provide students weekly structured time to work on writing their BAs or other projects, including collaborative work. Writing Wednesdays will take place every Wednesday in the Urban Lounge at 1155 E. 60th Street, with faculty and staff available to answer questions related to writing and Chicago-focused research from 3-5PM. Importantly, Writing Wednesdays will also include free coffee and cookies!

    Writing Wednesdays | Wednesdays 3:00-5:00PM CDT at 1155 E. 60th Street 

    Open Studio (co-sponsored by Chicago Studies) is un-programmed time for students interested in architecture/urban design and related disciplines to meet one another, work together on projects, share ideas and techniques, and build community. All are welcome, and no registration is required. You're welcome just to drop by, or to stay for longer. Food will be served, and many Wednesdays feature guest speakers, optional workshops, and other urban-focused events alongside the free space to work. 

    Open Studio | Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM CDT at Cochran Woods Arts Center (CWAC) 153