How the South Side Community Art Center Grew from an Icon of the Black Renaissance to a Vital and Expanding Force
The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) in Chicago, the first Black art institution in the United States, is undergoing a major rehabilitation and expansion campaign. Founded in 1940 during the Chicago Black Renaissance, the center was established by community members including Dr. Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Eldzier Cortor, Charles White, and Archibald Motley Jr., who raised funds through initiatives like the 'Mile of Dimes' campaign and the Annual Artists' and Models' Ball. Housed in a historic Bronzeville brownstone, the center has served as a vital hub for Black artists, hosting landmark exhibitions and creative programs.
