Who We Are?
AnySquared is an intergenerational collaborative, an art network, and a platform for artists. Propelled by a deep sense of cooperation with artists, neighbors and the wider community, our mission is to support, produce and promote collaborative projects that facilitate arts activities through inclusive participation. Our foundation is built upon the idea that we can do anything as long as we do it together. Supporting artists and creating a community almost 15 years, AnySquared is a 501c3.
What Do We Value?
AnySquared is a place to make art, learn, and network. Our community’s values have always been of belonging, mutual aid, and social justice. In AnySquared, everyone has a sense of autonomy. The community supports creative expression and community empowerment.The community is here to help you if you need it.
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AnySquared was formed in January 2010 by a group of artists seeking to create a platform for their work and serve as a resource for Chicago’s creative environment. The organization was founded as a volunteer art collaborative based on radical generosity and transparency. With DIY shows throughout the city and weekly studio art-making days, AnySquared has provided opportunities for artists to present their work and expand their creative capacity. As the number of collaborators increased, so did the programming’s scope and depth. During the past Fourteen years, AnySquared has produced exhibitions, art festivals, film screenings, murals, youth art-making events, residencies, art markets and a variety of other platforms that promote artists and strengthen the Chicago art community.
In 2021, AnySquared became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We are excited to continue providing artists opportunities through exhibitions, screenings, murals, workshops, and other public events. AnySquared has a positive impact on the Chicago community. AnySquared events are almost always free, focus on the community, and presented as spaces for individuals who frequently feel excluded from institutional art spaces.
We mentor artists! Through involvement in AnySquared-produced initiatives, we collaborate with artists to provide opportunities to engage in meaningful projects while gaining expertise in production, curation, marketing, fundraising, and strategic planning. We are so very proud of the many artists who we’ve mentored over the years who have created their own organizations, are working artists, and/or also teach art.
As a nonprofit, AnySquared aims to build more artistic and organizational capacities for the future!
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What Are Our Social Responsibilities/Non-Negotiables?
AnySquared artists foster our community values through individual integrity, cooperation, collective accountability, and fighting injustice. All are treated with respect and with kindness.
Everyone in AnySquared is part of this community and is expected to uphold our community’s values and respect every person.
Everyone is welcomed with open arms. All races, all genders, all queerness, all abilities, all sizes, and all ages should feel welcomed in the AnySquared community. Our community is created out of love and the love of making art and music together.
Our goal is to create safe and liberated spaces that nurture, celebrate, and support everyone in it.
That said, If you commit physical, verbal, sexual, emotional, or cultural violence or harassment, or behave in a way that is inappropriate towards another community member, you will be asked to leave our events.
Our community is meant to be a supportive platform for creative expression and community empowerment
Please inbox projects@anysquared.com with any questions or concerns.
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AnySquared Board of Directors
Tracy Kostenbader | Co-Founder & Director
Juan A. Cano | Treasurer & Director
E. Julia Regalado | Secretary & Director
Gabriel Carrasquillo (AKA Flash ABC) | Director
Alex Halkin | Director