Bronzeville Legacy Collective Raises $75 Million for $250 Million Chicago Arts District
Established in 2023, the Bronzeville Legacy Collective has successfully secured $75 million towards its ambitious $250 million target aimed at constructing or revitalizing nine cultural locations within Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, which was recognized as a Black Metropolis National Heritage Area and cultural district in the same year. Among the sites are the National Museum of Gospel Music and the Emmett Till House. The collective is seeking $5 million for an initial fund and a $50 million capital fund. Plans for the $100 million Bronzeville Trail are set to commence by 2034. The group recently organized "The Great Promise: Bronzeville Convening & Bus Tour," attended by prominent figures. Contributions include $25,000 from the MacArthur Foundation and $300,000 from the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation. The South Side Community Art Center is scheduled to reopen in spring 2027.
Key facts
- The Bronzeville Legacy Collective has raised $75 million toward a $250 million goal for nine Bronzeville cultural sites
- The collective was founded in 2023 and seeks $5 million over the next several months for a starter fund plus a $50 million capital fund
- The $100 million Bronzeville Trail is planned from 40th and Federal streets to 41st Street and Lake Park Avenue by 2034
- The MacArthur Foundation gave $25,000, the collective's first grant, and the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation donated $300,000 in operational support
- Deeply Rooted Dance Theater received a $10.5 million Community Development Grant from Chicago and remains about $3.4 million short
- The National Museum of Gospel Music needs $20 million to restore Pilgrim Baptist Church at 3301 S. Indiana Ave., damaged by fire in 2006
- The South Side Community Art Center, established in 1940, reopens an expanded facility at 3831 S. Michigan Ave. in spring 2027
- The Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities is to be built at 5339 S. State St. by the end of 2027
Entities
Artists
- Naomi Davis
- Bernard Loyd
- Pat Dowell
- Tara Magner
- Beth Valukas
- Kevin Iega Jeff
- Makeda Crayton
- Antoinette Wright
- Monique Brinkman-Hill
- Emmett Till
- Mamie Till-Mobley
- Muddy Waters
Institutions
- Bronzeville Legacy Collective
- National Museum of Gospel Music
- Blacks in Green
- Urban Juncture
- Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
- Deeply Rooted Center for Black Dance and Creative Communities
- Definition Theatre
- The Forum
- South Side Community Art Center
- Bronzeville Cookin'
- Muddy Waters Mojo Museum
- Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
- Field Foundation
- Local Initiatives Support Corp.
- MacArthur Foundation
- Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
- Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Pilgrim Baptist Church
- Obama Presidential Center
- Chicago Sun-Times
- WBEZ
Locations
- Chicago
- United States
- Bronzeville
- Illinois
- 40th and Federal streets
- 41st Street and Lake Park Avenue
- 318-328 E. 43rd St.
- 300-314 E. 51st St.
- 3831 S. Michigan Ave.
- 5339 S. State St.
- 6400 S. Cottage Grove
- 3301 S. Indiana Ave.