Art Collection
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Art Collection WPA Collection and Other Murals Reproductions Archive
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 Keith Haring "Untitled" 1989 | Saving Chicago's Art The Chicago Board of Education is creating and uncovering art history within its own doors. Almost four years ago, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) approved a project to launch a treasure hunt - the ultimate scope of which would be difficult to imagine. The treasure was art-murals, paintings, original prints, sculpture, woodcuts, stained glass windows, and artifacts---- the hunting ground was the Chicago Public Schools and its Pershing Road headquarters. The project was not merely an audit, but rather as quest to ascertain the location and financial value of the CPS art collection so that it could be a resource for teachers and students. | ||
| While it was known that some schools in the system had magnificent original works developed under the Works in Progress Administration (WPA), the search revealed that a collection of much greater depth existed, ranging from late 19th century pieces to the Modern Masters. Additionally, there exists a vast collection of reproductions that have significant educational value.
The objectives of the CPS Art Collection include designing creative and integrative scholastic curriculum, providing students and researchers access to the collection via technology, increasing public awareness about the rich history and value of the collection, and providing CPS students with cultural enrichment experiences and historically based knowledge about the city and communities in which they live. | |||
| History tells us that there are many large cities and school districts with undiscovered art collections and historic treasures. Under the leadership of Board President, Gery Chico, the Chicago Board of Education through its vision and commitment to this project has established itself as a national leader in art preservation and conservation. Releasing this magnificent collection of original works and reproductions from anonymity and preserving it for future decades is an invaluable gift to our city and its children. For more information, please contact Rene Arceo at the Department of Language, Culture and Early Childhood Education at 773/553-1930. |  | ||
| Calder "Untitled" NA | |||
