A Campaign for the South Side Community Art Center
The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) has stood as a monument to Black artistic excellence since 1940. Born from the vision and labor of artists, educators, and neighbors—among them the legendary Margaret Burroughs—SSCAC is one of the oldest independent Black art centers in the United States. For over eight decades, it has offered vital space for creativity, education, and community building in the heart of Bronzeville.
Black Art Rising is both a celebration and a call to action. This presentation honors SSCAC’s historic role in shaping the trajectory of Black art and culture, while inviting our community into the next chapter of transformation. From the era of the Works Progress Administration to today’s dynamic contemporary arts landscape, SSCAC has nurtured countless visionaries, hosted landmark exhibitions, and remained a vital gathering place for Black artists, scholars, and cultural workers.
Now, as we prepare for a new era, SSCAC is undergoing a bold expansion. The Black Art Rising Capital Campaign will restore and preserve our historic building while adding a new state-of-the-art wing. This transformation will expand our total square footage by 10,173 square feet, increase our occupancy capacity by 398%, and create flexible galleries, classrooms, and gathering spaces that serve artists and audiences of all ages.
More than a building project, this is a reinvestment in Black imagination, memory, and collective power.
We invite you to learn more, share in this legacy, and help shape the future of SSCAC.
