Arts of Life, a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its first museum exhibition, "Community on the Make | Arts of Life 2000 – 2025," at the Design Museum of Chicago from August 11 to September 30, 2025. The retrospective features works by over 50 artists, staff, and volunteers, including founding member Veronica "Ronnie" Cuculich, and highlights collaborative pieces such as David Krueger and Ben Marcus's Love Man series. Related programs include a public reception on August 21 and artist residency hours throughout September.
This exhibition matters because it challenges conventional notions of who art is for and who shapes culture, centering artists with disabilities as vital contributors to the art world. By showcasing the evolution of Arts of Life's community-driven model over 25 years, the show underscores the role of art as a tool for liberation and self-respect, while also marking a milestone for inclusive arts programming in Chicago.