What We’re Building
Who We Are
Avondale Arts Chicago is an artist-led, neighborhood-rooted nonprofit built by working artists who live here.
We support Avondale’s creative community through public art, events, workshops, and paid opportunities—connecting artists, small businesses, and neighbors to keep creativity local and thriving.
Our Mission
Avondale Arts Chicago exists to support and sustain Avondale’s creative community by providing artists with real opportunities, fair pay, and visible platforms—while connecting art, neighbors, and local businesses to keep creativity local, accessible, and alive.
Our Vision
We envision Avondale as a neighborhood where artists can build sustainable creative lives, local stories are preserved and celebrated, and creativity is woven into everyday community life. Long-term, we aim to establish a permanent Creative Hub that serves as a home base for art, collaboration, and neighborhood connection.
What we value
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Led by artists, fueled by creation.
We believe artists should shape the systems meant to support them. Our work centers creative voices, lived experience, and the value of making things with intention. -
Rooted in Avondale. Built with neighbors, not institutions.
We work alongside residents, small businesses, and local partners to strengthen the creative ecosystem from the inside out. -
No barriers. No velvet ropes.
Art belongs to everyone. We design programs and opportunities that are approachable, affordable, and welcoming—especially to those traditionally left out. -
We make more noise together.
Partnership is core to everything we do. When artists, businesses, and neighbors collaborate, the whole community benefits. -
Radical honesty. Zero gatekeeping.
We believe in clear communication, fair processes, and openness—especially around opportunities, pay, and decision-making. -
We center the voices the system sidelines.
Our work actively supports underrepresented artists and communities, with the goal of creating a more just and sustainable creative landscape.
CoFounder & Managing Partner
Courtney Boatwright is a multidisciplinary artist and creative director based in Avondale. As a working artist rooted in the neighborhood, she founded Avondale Arts Chicago to create real, paid opportunities and visible platforms for local artists. Her work blends art, storytelling, and community-building, with a focus on preserving Avondale’s creative identity while helping artists build sustainable creative lives..
Nikki Frisinger
CoFounder & Creative Director
Courtney Boatwright is a multidisciplinary artist and creative director based in Avondale. As a working artist rooted in the neighborhood, she cofounded Avondale Arts Chicago to create real, paid opportunities and visible platforms for local artists. Her work blends art, storytelling, and community-building, with a focus on preserving Avondale’s creative identity while helping artists build sustainable creative lives..