Arts of Life

What Arts of Life does

Arts of Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in January 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, by Veronica 'Ronnie' Cuculich and Denise Fisher. It operates as an alternative day program providing professional art studios, career development, gallery exhibition opportunities, and product sales for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The organization runs three physical studio locations—West Town Chicago (6,000 sq ft, ~30 artists), South Side Woodlawn (700 sq ft, ~10 artists, opened March 2024), and North Shore Glenview (6,000 sq ft, ~30 artists)—with a fourth Highland Park studio scheduled for Fall 2026. It supports 80+ active artists (cumulatively 152 since founding) drawn from 40+ Chicago-area zip codes, employs 20+ staff (many SAIC alumni), and maintains a 12,000+ artwork archive managed via the ArtLogic platform.

The organization's core product surface includes professional art studios with individualized facilitation, Circle Contemporary gallery (six curated exhibitions annually), the Artist Enterprise Program (AEP) for professional development, two bands (Van Go Go and Arts of Life Band), an e-commerce shop (artwork prints, books, music, merchandise), Zoom-based remote programming, and community classes through partnerships with Evanston Art Center and Art Center Highland Park. Distribution channels include gallery sales, art fairs (Art Basel Miami via NADA/Untitled Art, Outsider Art Fair NYC, Art Fair Tokyo, Art Collaboration Kyoto), museum exhibitions (Design Museum of Chicago, Intuit Art Museum, Union League Club), and third-party retail (25th-anniversary book in 24 Urban Outfitters locations).

Revenue is split roughly 50/50 between Illinois Department of Human Services funding (Community Day Service / 31U-31C waiver provider) and a diversified mix of foundation grants (MacArthur Foundation, NEA, Illinois Arts Council, Smith Tieken Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, Coleman Foundation, Builders Initiative, Warhol Foundation), individual donations (4,000+ donors, including recurring Silver Society members), art sales (60% to artists, 40% retained), merchandise, and benefit events like the Cosmic Rodeo annual auction. Cumulative contributed revenue since founding is $7,662,000 with $604,100 in total art sales. The organization holds Council on Quality and Leadership accreditation and is a state-licensed Community Day Service provider.

Name

Arts of Life

Legal name

Arts of Life

Website

https://artsoflife.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arts of Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that operates professional art studios in Chicago for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting 80+ artists through career development, gallery exhibitions, and art sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Arts Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Media Arts & Performance (Film, Stagecraft, Lighting, Sound) (EDAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Disability arts programs
• Community art studios
• Vocational art services
• Inclusive arts education
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Illinois DHS): Approximately 50% of funding comes from Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Arts of Life is a state-licensed Community Day Service and 31U/31C Provider accepting waiver funding (31U/31C CILA and Home-Based Waiver).
2. Individual and Institutional Donations: Approximately 50% of funding from donors including foundations (MacArthur Foundation, NEA, Illinois Arts Council, Builders Initiative, Coleman Foundation, Smith Tieken Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, Warhol Foundation, Ruth Foundation) and individual donors (4,000+ donors reported).
3. Art Sales Revenue: Artists earn 60% of art sales as monthly stipends; Arts of Life retains 40% to offset program costs. Total art sales reported at $604,100. Includes commissions and licensing fees from artist work.
4. Merchandise and Product Sales: E-commerce shop selling original artwork prints ($75), greeting cards ($16-20), books ($25-45), music albums ($10-15), apparel, accessories, mugs ($10), and calendars ($10).
5. Special Events: Annual benefit auction events like Cosmic Rodeo generate fundraising revenue. Ticket sales and auction purchases support operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arts of Life operates professional art studios and creative vocational programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The organization provides individualized studio space, art-making facilitation, career management, exhibition opportunities through Circle Contemporary Gallery, band programs (Van Go Go and Arts of Life Band), and an e-commerce shop for original artwork and merchandise.

Product overview

Arts of Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating as a unified platform of creative programs for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The core offering consists of three professional art studios (West Town Chicago, South Side Chicago, North Shore Glenview) where artists work in individualized or communal spaces with professional art facilitation and career development support. Supporting products include Circle Contemporary Gallery for exhibitions, Van Go Go and Arts of Life Bands for music programs, an e-commerce Shop for merchandise and original artwork, Remote Programming via Zoom, Community Programs with partner art centers, the Artist Enterprise Program for professional development, and annual events like the Cosmic Rodeo Benefit Auction. The organization serves over 80 artists and operates as an alternative career path in the visual arts, with artists earning monthly stipends and bonuses based on art sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circle Contemporary: Multi-purpose exhibition space in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, showcasing diverse creative practices from individuals of all talents and abilities. Extension of Arts of Life studios' efforts to strengthen the creative community.
• Van Go Go
• Arts of Life Band

Products and services

• Professional Art Studios Three professional art studio locations (West Town Chicago, South Side Chicago Woodlawn, North Shore Glenview) offering individualized workspaces and communal tables where artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursue fine art professionally 3-5 days weekly, 9am-3pm, with facilitation from professional art staff and career management support.
• Circle Contemporary Gallery A multi-purpose exhibition space in Chicago's West Town neighborhood that showcases diverse creative practices from artists of all talents and abilities with six exhibitions annually in collaboration with guest curators; open to the public with free admission.
• Van Go Go Band A rock band from the North Shore Studio consisting of artists with developmental disabilities that performs foot-stomping music at venues throughout Chicago-land.
• Arts of Life Band A danceable party music band with rock edge from the Chicago Studio that performed at venues throughout Chicago.
• E-commerce Shop An e-commerce platform selling merchandise created by Arts of Life artists, including original artwork prints, greeting cards, books, music albums (vinyl and CD), apparel, accessories, mugs, and calendars. Artists receive 60% of sales as monthly stipends.
• Remote Programming Zoom-based social groups and activities for Arts of Life artists across all programs, including Lunch Social, Self Advocacy Group, Yoga, and Comics Group sessions.
• Community Programs Inclusive workshops and classes open to all artists, including those with intellectual/developmental disabilities, in partnership with Evanston Art Center and Art Center Highland Park, covering illustration, worldbuilding, printmaking, self portraits, color theory, ceramics, and more.
• Artist Enterprise Program (AEP) A professional development program enabling artists to identify career tracks in curation, education, and other areas to guide their professional development, with opportunities for artwork documentation, portfolio storage, and art sales commissions.
• Annual Benefit Auction (Cosmic Rodeo) Annual fundraising event featuring music, food, drinks, dancing, and unique auction experiences to support artists with disabilities, with featured artist works and community celebration.

Quantifiable outcome

• $604,100 in total art sales distributed to artists
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Evanston Art CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Community programs partnership providing art classes for Arts of Life artists in Evanston location.
• Art Center Highland ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for community classes and workshops. Will partner with Highland Park studio launching Fall 2026.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Intern program bringing SAIC students to work with West Town artists. Many staff members are SAIC alumni.
• New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Professional association membership providing networking and exhibition opportunities at art fairs.
• Progressive Art Studio Alliance (PASA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Membership organization for progressive art studios supporting artists with disabilities.
• Design Museum of ChicagoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Hosted first museum exhibition 'Community on the Make | Arts of Life 2000-2025'. Currently hosting Lucy Walsh exhibition through January 2027.
• Intuit Art MuseumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Currently hosting 'Impressions of a City: Drawings by Marvin Young' exhibition through August 2026 - Marvin's first solo museum show.
• First Presbyterian Church of Chicago (Woodlawn)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Housing partner for South Side studio location in Woodlawn neighborhood. Space also houses community organizing including Woodlawn Food Hub.
• Western ExhibitionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Chicago gallery representing Arts of Life artists. Owner Scott Speh being honored at Cosmic Rodeo 2026 benefit.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center for Creative Works: Pennsylvania-based progressive art studio serving adults with intellectual disabilities through studio programs, exhibitions, and art sales. Operates a similar vocational-arts-plus-commercial-distribution framework.
• Creative Growth: Oakland-based progressive art studio (founded 1974) serving adults with developmental disabilities through studio practice, gallery exhibitions, and art sales. Long-established peer with similar studio + gallery + commercial distribution model.
• Visionaries + Voices: Cincinnati-based progressive art studio serving adults with developmental disabilities through professional studio practice, exhibitions, and representation. Operates under a directly comparable studio-plus-gallery model.
• Project Onward: Chicago-based nonprofit studio supporting artists with mental illness and developmental disabilities. Local geographic peer with the same Chicago arts community, donor pool, and mission overlap as Arts of Life.
• Creativity Explored: San Francisco-based progressive art studio providing studio space, exhibition, and career support to artists with developmental disabilities. Closest direct comp to Arts of Life's model of professional artistic vocation for I/DD adults.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/artsoflife
• YouTubeyoutube.com/artsoflife
• Facebookfacebook.com/artsoflife
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_arts_of_life

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arts of Life