Blog

I’m Rose Fenske, an intern this summer at The Art Center Highland Park and a college student from the suburbs of Illinois. I am in a dual degree program studying Studio Art and Art History at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. My favorite classes are by far my studios, where I get to paint, draw, and cultivate my artistic skills to the furthest extent.

I have always had a passion for the arts. Throughout my childhood, I’d taken—and loved—many art classes, but it wasn’t until high school that I learned I could turn my passion into a future. Because of the nature of my program, I get to take a myriad of studio courses alongside Art Historical classes. This often means my artwork is heavily influenced by what I am learning about, and my understanding of historical art and artists is shaped by my perspective as an artist. I’ve learned that arts and culture are the backbone to a successful society, and studying the arts, as well as their function in our world, has given me a new perspective on their importance. For me, art is more than a hobby or outlet; it is an extension of who I am.

Working at TAC has helped me gain a different kind of perspective on the arts. While most of my artistic experience has been in front of the curtain, here, I am able to see a bit more of the behind-the-scenes happenings that make these experiences possible. I’ve been able to see all the moving pieces that must come together to make art classes a reality for kids, and all the hard work that goes into making a gallery successful and accessible to more people. Understanding the inner workings of a non-profit such as TAC makes it easier to appreciate the forces that must come together to make the arts a reality for so many people.

Because of my parents, who helped me discover and foster my passion for the arts, and through my time studying at UIUC and working at TAC, I have become more and more reflective upon the importance of art classes for the youth. Without them, I would not be where I am today, and because of them, more and more kids are able to discover their passion for the arts as well.

Dear Students.

2025 will mark our 65^th anniversary as a not-for-profit institution serving the North Shore region. We’ve seen a lot in those years and nothing as tumultuous as the past few with the COVID pandemic and then the community-shaking event of 2022. Our hope is that we’ve been that ‘welcoming space’ for you, an oasis from the pressures of the ‘outside world’ throughout it all.

As you may know, last year we increased prices for most classes by a few dollars – no more than $5 or $10 in most cases. We consistently monitor your other choices for similar classes and make every effort to remain competitive while assuring you quality and consistency in our educational programming. The good news is that although some individual prices may change throughout the year, we have no intention of a general price increase in the near future.

The not so good news is that starting with the Spring 2025 class session,  we will no longer be able to offer pro-rating for classes. This has been a benefit that we’ve offered students who are members of TAC if they knew ahead of the start of the session that wouldn’t be able to attend all of the scheduled classes. Since our commitment is for the entire period – teacher’s fees, classroom use, etc. – this policy has become too costly for us to continue as well as being difficult to track.

We understand that this option has been important to many of you, and this may pose a disappointment for some, but this is a decision we feel we must make for the sake of the financial security of our educational programming.

I always value your feedback on our programming and my door, literally, is always open.

Sincerely,

James M Lynch

Executive Director

The Art Center Highland Park

847-432-1888, ext. 104

847-780-8004 (Direct)

Art is often seen as decoration or entertainment, but in reality, art can serve a deeper purpose. Art, whether in visual arts, performative art, or any medium between them, plays a crucial role in both community growth and personal development.

• Cultural Expression:

Art reflects a community’s values, traditions, and aesthetics, and helps understand the history, culture, and experiences of others. People often create art to express their culture, and others can use art to help them understand someone else’s culture. While many cultures are diverse and distant from each other, art helps build the bridge across cultural landscapes. 

• Community engagement:

Art brings people together through galleries, museums, and performance spaces. It creates a platform for collaboration and invites everybody to connect with art and one another. Public art projects further enhance engagement, in turn making stronger bonded communities, fostering a sense of collective identity and pride.

• Education and creativity:

Art programs provide opportunities to learn new skills and foster innovation and creativity. Fostering these attributes is important for personal growth, development, and critical thinking skills. Art is necessary to achieve full creative potential and unlock skills such as emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.

• Economic growth:

Art contributes to the local economy through tourism, cultural events, and the selling of arts and goods. It creates a good source of revenue, creates jobs for artists, and has a larger economic impact than other sectors such as construction. Whether it be galleries, museums, or programs, art delivers financial benefits.

• Health benefits

Participating in and experiencing art improves mental health, reduces stress, and enhances well-being. Art is a creative outlet people can use to express their emotions and thoughts, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves. Art therapy can further help disorders such as depression and reduce symptoms of PTSD.

• Personal development

Creating and experiencing art can promote personal growth, self-discovery, and a sense of accomplishment. Art can be used to explore personal goals and express thoughts or feelings. Expressing feelings through artistic means can help one develop creativity and problem-solving skills, and can lead to self-exploration and self-reflection.

• Communication beyond words

Art can transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, serving as a universal language. Art allows people to communicate complex emotions and thoughts non-verbally and allows anybody to create their own interpretation. Art can also inspire others to create art of their own, and can then further inspire more people.

• Emotional impact

Viewing art can help inspire creation, and impact people’s own thoughts or emotions. Art is profound and evokes deep emotions that may have been impossible to reach without art. Whether it is the narrative of a film, colors, and shapes on the canvas, or the sounds of combined instruments, art allows people to unlock and understand their emotions.

• Voice

Art gives people a voice when they feel as though they might not have them. Although some might struggle to express themselves through writing or speech, Art provides an alternative way to reach people. Art can inspire change, challenge harmful norms, and impact the world for the better. Art’s ability to evoke emotions and provoke thought makes it a powerful tool for sparking conversations about important social issues that may otherwise go unnoticed or unaddressed.

• Aesthetic enjoyment

While art is so much more than just something cool to look at, it can also be just that. Art doesn’t always have to be meaningful and can just be a decorative piece or a funny movie. Art contributes to the beauty of the environment and boosts the morale of communities. This enjoyment and appreciation for art creates a sense of pride and connection in communities.

Ultimately, art transcends mere decoration. While it can be as simple as a cool painting, it can also be a creative outlet to express emotions, thoughts, culture, and experiences. Incorporating art into communities not only enhances our environments but also fosters creativity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of each other. Art encourages the exploration of thoughts, feelings, and cultures,  making it essential for creating communities where everyone has a voice in the ability to express themselves creatively.

Dylan Daniels, TAC Intern, with AI tools and Image by Canva