South Side Community Arts Center

A 15,000 sf renovation and addition for the oldest continuously-operating institute of Black visual art in the U.S.

Sustainable features, including a geothermal well-field, will achieve LEED Silver and support the organization for the next 80 years to come.

The transformation of the South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) builds on its 84-year legacy as a hub for Black visual art and culture, creating a space that honors its storied history while embracing a sustainable and inclusive future. This renovation to the Landmarked building and new 10,000 sf addition expands its capacity to serve as a center for exhibition, art practice, research, and community engagement. The design amplifies SSCAC’s mission through design approaches that honor the building’s historic character while introducing new spaces and upgraded building technology to meet the needs of the next generation of artists, their work and audiences, as well as the institution’s significant on-site collection and archives.

The addition, a T-shaped massing behind the original building, provides a backdrop to SSCAC’s original historic facade, creating a clear dialogue between the past and future. State-of-the-art systems, including a geothermal well field and solar-ready roof, support the project’s LEED Silver certification, reflecting SSCAC’s commitment to sustainability and operations over the next decades. Inside, new museum-grade galleries provide spaces to preserve and exhibit SSCAC’s collection and loaned works, while flexible classrooms, archival storage, and office spaces on other levels equip the center to support artists, educators, and staff. A rooftop gathering space and expanded iconic stoop further connect SSCAC to its neighborhood, welcoming Bronzeville residents and visitors alike.

Significantly, the design of the building’s facade translates the pattern of nail holes from the historic Burroughs Gallery into a custom perforated panel, creating a symbolic experience where the imprint of works from previous generations let in light for artists in the decades to come.

News & Recognition

The Architect’s Newspaper
“Future Firm helps expand Chicago’s South Side Community Art Center”
Black Art in America
“South Side Community Art Center Announces Plans for $15M Renovation and Expansion

Info
Location: Bronzeville, Chicago
Client: South Side Community Arts Center
Progress/Year: 2022–Ongoing
Team
Historic Preservation Architect: wrkSHäp | kiloWatt
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineer, Sustainability Consultant: dbHMS
Structural Engineer: Rockey Structures
Civil Engineer: Engage Civil
Development Advisor: URBAN ReSOLVE

#research: Margaret Burroughs and artists at the South Side Community Art Center, 2010. Photo by Tony Smith, courtesy of SSCAC.

#research: Burroughs Gallery. Photo by Herbert Nipron, courtesy of SSCAC.

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#research: Dance in the Ballroom, Circa 1940. Photo by Clifford J. Burress, courtesy of SSCAC.

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