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Chicago Cultural Center Open Houses offer a later hours experience of DCASE's artists in residence, music programming , gallery exhibitions, shopping, socializing & more in our architecturally stunning homebase.

Chicago Cultural Center Open Houses 2026!

April 2, 2026 - Chicago Artists Professional Development

1st Floor

LEARNING LAB

5-7p.m. – Artist's Statement and Biography Workshop (Drop in!)

WELCOME CENTER

4 - 5p.m. Pitch Workshop (Drop in!)Creators! Come learn how to converse in a way that preps you for opportunities. Then apply what you learn to the rest of the night.

5:30 - 6:30p.m. “The Creative Core” (Drop in!)Social Hour! Share space and network with thematic prompts at this immersive, welcoming experience of community building.

DANCE STUDIO
6-7:30p.m. Dance Studio Residency: Open Rehearsal: Anniela Huidobro

BUDDY

Open until 7p.m.

2nd Floor

G.A.R. HALL

4-5p.m. Workshop: Music/Sound (Drop in!)Victoria Djembe leads a drumming workshop suitable for all skill levels

5:15-6p.m. Workshop: Theater (Drop in!)From Vision to Stage: CLATA Presents Kendra Jamaica, Founder of DAMA Productions & Producer of ESCÁNDALO Comedy on producing your own events

6:15-7p.m. Workshop: Clowning (Drop in!)Join Clowning Around! for performance-based exercises led by Journey of Newport Theater.

7 – 8p.m. "A Soft Place to Land" (Drop in!)A wellness workshop for creative workers to participate in a reflective movement exercise.

G.A.R. ROTUNDA

4-8p.m. DCASE Opportunities Fair

5-6:30p.m. One on One Sessions: Project Development - sign up onsite!

Discuss your creative or artistic project—whether it’s in film, public art, or a potential grant application—with a DCASE staff member to get feedback on how to advance your project

CLAUDIA CASSIDY THEATRE
Creative Futures in Film

presented by Film Girlz Brunch

4:00- 5:30 PM — Indie Filmmaker Pitch & Connect Showcase

5:30 – 6:30 PM — Short Film Screening + Q&A

6:30–7:30 PM — Creative Career Clarity Workshop

7:30–8:00 PM — Open Networking

3rd Floor

PRESTON BRADLEY HALL

4-8p.m. Workshop: Visual Arts/Crafts (Drop in!)

Chicago Collage Community leads a hands-on collage party.

5-6p.m. OVERRIDE Artist Showcase

4:30-7:30p.m. Headshots & Artist Photos*

Preregister to get your new marketing image or headshot! Images will be emailed to you within a two weeks after the event. Each sesssion will last 5min, so be ready to pose!

~40 guests will be able to particpate. 18 slots will be open for preregistration (digitally) on 3/30 and the rest will be available for onsite sign up in PBH. If you are registered and not in the room at your session time your slot may be given to another guest. On 3/30 an email will be sent via eventbrite to all registered guests with the sign up link.

6-7:30p.m. Speed Networking/Portfolio Review *

Join Chicago Curators for a round robin style sit down. Preregistered guests will meet with 3 curators. Come with your questions ready or elevator pitch to practice!

24 guests will be able to participate. 14 slots will open for preregistration (digitally) on 3/30 and the rest will be available for onsite sign up begining at 6pm in PBH. Sessions will be at 6pm, 630pm and 7pm - if you are registered and not in the room at your session time your slot may be given to another guest. On 3/30 an email will be sent via eventbrite to all registered guests with the sign up link.

4th Floor

Room 408

5-6p.m. Info Session: Chicago Cultural Center Exhibitions Open Call

6:30-7:30p.m. Financial Foundations for Artists

Learn tips from finance and tax professionals to help you organize your personal budget.

Exhibit Hall

5p.m. Exhibition Tour with the Curator

Until 7:45p.m. Exhibition: Alberto Aguilar: I just really want to tell you this one thing

4th FLOOR NORTH LANDINGS

Chill Out Space & Device Charging

*SIGN UP REQUIRED - On 3/30 an email will be sent via eventbrite to all registered guests with the sign up link.

Transportation Tips:

Discounted parking available if you purchase ahead of time at (Enter promo code CHICAGO26 at checkout to apply 20% discount) or take the CTA .

Chicago Cultural Center Open House programs are alcohol-free events.

We welcome all Chicago residents and visitors who are in the arts or love the arts.

RSVPs are requested but not required. The event may be photographed or video recorded.

More great cultural events at ChicagoCulturalCenter.org.

All events are FREE unless noted. A full schedule of DCASE events is available

RSVP enrolls you in our DCASE monthly events newsletter. You can opt out at any time.