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FREE ARTS EDUCATION
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

A dream come true.

Since Side Street's inception in 2013, we have worked to offer as much free and low-cost access to the arts as possible, all while making sure artists and artist-educators are getting paid. Since 2021 Side Street has been able to offer a large portion of our educational program for free!  

Registration for upcoming classes can be found below. We know these classes will fill and we will have waiting lists. We will do our best to expand offerings and get to as many young artists as possible. Whether they are just starting out or have been creating for years, we are looking forward to working with them to find their individual creative voice. 

- Tanner Melvin & Erin Rehberg

Founders & Executive Directors

Free Classes and Workshops
(STAY TUNED FOR MORE CLASSES!)

Registration is closed for our summer session. Please sign up for our email list at the bottom of the page to be alerted of any upcoming workshops or classes.

SPRING '24

AFTER SCHOOL ART

w/John, Nick, Ivette

Location: Gallery, Theater, & Backspace

15 Ziegler Court

 

Grades K-6

DATES: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

& May 6

 

3:30p-5:30p

FREE

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

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Spend your time after school creating art!
During the course of this six week class, your young artist will learn various techniques in visual and performance art. Three groups will rotate, giving them more opportunity to experience different styles and mediums of work in each session.

SPRING '24

COMIC BOOK & ANIME ART

 w/ John French

Location: Theater

15 1/2 Ziegler Court

Grades 7-12

DATES: Tuesdays - April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
& May 7

 

5:30p-7:30p

FREE

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

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In this six-week course young artists will explore different techniques to creates comic book and anime-inspired art. 

SPRING '24

SCREENPRINTING

w/Ivette

Location: LAB

11 S. Spring St.

Grades 7-12

DATES: Tuesdays - April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
& May 7

 

5:30p-7:30p

FREE

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

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Learn the fundamentals of screen printing in this crash course on developing the basic skills of the screen printing process. Create a simple design and explore the printing possibilities from printing personal original artwork on paper to printing on the beloved T-shirt or any other swag you can dream.

SPRING '24

Stay tuned... 

Coming Soon Neon Light

Stay tuned... 

Your young artist is eligible to register for free classes if they:
  • have an interest in art and are excited to participate
  • are committed and able to attend all weeks of the session
  • live within 10 miles of Side Street's downtown Elgin location
  • are grade appropriate for the class.
If your young artist is all of the above but still faces barriers to participation, please email us HERE, and we will work with your family to facilitate a creative experience. 
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Special thanks to those below for sponsoring our free art programs which help make these offerings possible

Anonymous donor-advised fund at The Chicago Community Foundation

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