DePaul Art Museum (DPAM) in Chicago is presenting the exhibition "For Chicago, With Chicago," running from May 21-31, 2026. The show features works from the museum's collection, including pieces by Melissa Ann Pinney, Josh Dihle, and Claudio Dicochea, and was curated with input from DePaul students, staff, alumni, and the public. The exhibition is organized by DPAM interns, fellows, and delegates, highlighting a collaborative, community-driven approach.
This exhibition matters because it positions the museum's collection as a shared community resource, emphasizing accessibility and local engagement over top-down curatorial authority. By centering the voices of students and the broader Chicago public, DPAM models how university museums can foster resilience and interconnectedness within their local arts ecosystem. It also underscores the importance of public funding from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events CityArts program and the Illinois Arts Council in supporting such inclusive initiatives.