Chicago Arts Groups Embrace Phone-Free Events to Deepen Engagement

In an effort to foster genuine connections, arts organizations in Chicago are increasingly implementing phone-free policies. The Fulfillment Center in River North, for instance, created a device-free space in early May, where attendees stored their phones in cloth pouches while enjoying crafts, games, complimentary drinks, and music. Meanwhile, the theater company [producingbody] in Edgewater utilized Yondr pouches during the Chicago debut of 'Spaceman,' a solo performance by Leegrid Stevens, mandating that audience members secure their phones for the entire 100-minute show. Founders Amy Carpenter and Taylor Dalton highlight the importance of communal intimacy, with phone restrictions specified on ticket pages. Additionally, establishments like Kibbitznest Books and Verzênay maintain Wi-Fi-free environments, while prominent artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and David Byrne create no-phone zones, employing photographers for promotional purposes.