Location: Illinois
-
Small Midwest Town on the 'World's Largest' List, Thanks to Art (and Jim)
July 22, 2025
The city’s population isn’t wildly huge, but the things inside are. Meet the man creating dozens of colossal sculptures for neighbors and beyond.
-
More Than a Sign: Midwest Artists Hand-Paint Local Identity
July 16, 2025
In Chicago and Minneapolis, these sign painters continue the precise, customized, and fun (their words!) tradition.
-
Award-Winning Albums and Rare Sounds Simmer at This Midwest Kitchen-Studio
July 2, 2025
Archeophone Records is an archive of an almost-lost era of American music history—carefully restored and shared with the world from one couple's home in Illinois.
-
Turning the Chicago River into a Floating Music Venue
June 26, 2025
These 'secret river shows' are a floating, grassroots musician network atop the once-heavily polluted waterway.
-
Six Midwest Cities Among the ‘Most Arts-Vibrant’ in the US
June 18, 2025
The numbers are in: six Midwestern cities just made the list of the country’s most culturally dynamic communities.
-
Scientist ‘Dr. Beetle’ Uses Art to Talk About Insect Ecology, Conservation
June 5, 2025
Dr. Tierney Brosius, a professor of biology, believes art can impact science communication. From handmade wares to murals, she’s exploring creative ways to build curiosity around insects.
-
When a Community Shares Its Stories with a Photographer
May 28, 2025
Photographer Asa Featherstone, IV reflects on his instant film photo series—started as a way to meet people during an artist residency—and how it became a celebration of everyday stories.
-
The Midwestern Artists Powering Pinball’s Comeback
May 5, 2025
Pinball’s never looked this good. Meet the Midwestern artists reshaping an arcade classic with bold, hand-drawn illustrations.
-
Midwestern Reuse Stores Inspire Creativity and Sustainability
April 24, 2025
“Art thrift stores” across the Midwest put their he(art)s into saving, selling, and repurposing would-be trash into creative treasure.
-
Two Midwesterners Honored for Impact on Jazz
March 20, 2025
A new fellowship program by the Jazz Foundation of America and Mellon Foundation will award grants of $100,000 to 50 seasoned and accomplished jazz artists.