Evanston Made activities are comprised of educational programs, exhibitions and performances, and fundraisers that are focused on promoting local artists and engaging the community in the arts.
1. Member Mixers
Monthly
Monthly member meet-ups are hosted at various locations throughout Evanston where Evanston Made members can come together to connect with other artists, promote their work, classes and shows, as well as network and build community.
2. First Saturdays
Monthly
First Saturdays is city-wide initiative designed by Evanston Made to bring attention to artists and art events in the community. The goal is to encourage artists and galleries to schedule exhibition openings, studio visits, artist talks, workshops and classes on the first Saturday of each month in order to focus public interest and awareness of arts in Evanston through group branding and marketing.
As part of Evanston Made’s mission to be a resource for local artists and increase arts engagement in the community, First Saturdays has become a go-to for art goers and has generated consistent public interest in the arts throughout the calendar year.
3. Evanston Artist Month
June
Evanston Made hosts a month-long calendar of events featuring Evanston artists.
In partnership with the Evanston Art Center a large group exhibition takes place in their galleries as well as a pop-up shop for artists, artisans and maker's to sell their work.
The month-long celebration of the arts has also included an artist studio tour throughout the city of Evanston, artist talks, demonstrations, and experimental film screenings and a curated installation exhibition.
Alongside the adult exhibition and events, the Evanston Art Center also hosts Evanston Made Kids, a celebration of the young artists in the community providing them with opportunities to exhibit and sell their work. There is also focused programming, workshops, artist talks, and performances geared toward young people and families that are free and open to the general public.
4. National Artist Month
October
Evanston Made hosts a month-long calendar of events highlighting artists in Evanston and its surrounding areas that coincides with National Artist Month. Events include studio tours, maker's market, festival participation, exhibitions, and workshops that take place throughout Evanston.
5. Evanston Made Arts Resource
Ongoing
The Evanston Made website is a hub for the arts in Evanston. It is a centralized virtual community for Evanston Artists giving them an opportunity to connect and network, share their work digitally, and becoming involved in art-related events happening in Evanston.
Evanston Made has also launched a community arts calendar that will become a resource for the general public, announcing and promoting all arts events happening in Evanston. In addition to the website, Evanston Made has a vast social media presence which is used to promote and connect Evanston artists with each other and the general public.
Evanston Made curates partner spaces throughout Evanston providing additional exhibit opportunities for our members, receptions to celebrate exhibiting artists and community and member mixers to engage with the public and introduce artists to the public and to other Evanston Made members.