The Chicago Board of Education is creating and uncovering art historywithin its own doors. Almost four years ago, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS)approved a project to launch a treasure hunt - the ultimate scope ofwhich would be difficult to imagine. The treasure was art-murals, paintings,original prints, sculpture, woodcuts, stained glass windows, andartifacts the hunting ground was the Chicago Public Schools and its Pershing Roadheadquarters. The project was not merely an audit, but rather as questto ascertain the location and financial value of the CPS art collection sothat it could be a resource for teachers and students.
While it was known that some schools in the system had magnificentoriginal works developed under the Works in Progress Administration (WPA), thesearch revealed that a collection of much greater depth existed, ranging fromlate 19th century pieces to the Modern Masters. Additionally, there exists avast collection of reproductions that have significant educational value.
The objectives of the CPS Art Collection include designing creative andintegrative scholastic curriculum, providing students and researchersaccess to the collection via technology, increasing public awareness about therich history and value of the collection, and providing CPS students withcultural enrichment experiences and historically based knowledge aboutthe city and communities in which they live.
History tells us that there are many large cities and school districtswith undiscovered art collections and historic treasures. Under theleadership of the Chicago Board of Education through its vision and commitment tothis project has established itself as a national leader in art preservationand conservation. Releasing this magnificent collection of original worksand reproductions from anonymity and preserving it for future decades is aninvaluable gift to our city and its children.
For more information, please contact Rene Arceo at the Department ofLanguage and Cultural Education at 773/553-1930.
