Marwen

What Marwen does

Marwen is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 by Steve Berkowitz that provides free visual arts education, academic mentorship, and career development programs to Chicago youth in grades 6-12. The organization serves more than 1,000 young people annually and has supported nearly 16,000 since inception, with a student body that is 78% from low-income families, 88% BIPOC, and representative of all 77 Chicago neighborhoods. Core programming includes studio arts courses (photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, film, animation, digital/game design, comics, fashion, sculpture) delivered across 8 specialized studios and 2 labs at the headquarters facility at 833 N. Orleans Street, supplemented by a youth pathway program covering college and career preparation, the Art@Work paid summer internship program placing students at 89 partner organizations, the Design to Print paid commission program producing annual greeting cards, and the year-long Marwen Lab teen residency.

The organization operates on a donation- and grant-funded model with no fees charged to students; eligibility extends to all Chicago youth including undocumented students. Revenue streams include individual donations, organizational grants, corporate sponsorships (Zell Family Foundation, Intuit, Wintrust, Arts Are The Infrastructure for the Soul Foundation), earned revenue from student-designed greeting cards and merchandise sold online and through retail partners, and fundraising events including the Paintbrush Ball (which raised $370K+ in May 2026) and the annual Art Fair featuring 400+ works by 100+ artists. The alumni network is operationally significant: 16% of staff and 30% of teaching artists are Marwen alumni, creating a self-reinforcing talent pipeline from student to teaching artist to staff to board member (with three alumni serving on the Board of Directors). Governance is led by Board Chair Antonio García and Executive Director Akilah Halley, a Marwen alumna appointed in October 2018.

Name

Marwen

Legal name

Marwen

Website

https://marwen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Marwen is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1987 providing free visual arts education, mentorship, college and career support, and paid internships to Chicago youth in grades 6-12, primarily from low-income and BIPOC communities, serving 1,000+ students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

akta.pro primary industry

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Robotics, Engineering & Makers Camps (EDAMALAE), Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios) (EDAMADAC)

Keywords

• Youth arts education
• Visual arts programs
• College preparation
• Career mentorship
• Nonprofit arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Marwen relies on individual donors including alumni, families, and friends who make contributions to support no-cost programming. The organization operates with a transparent funding model sharing financial reports publicly.
2. Grants and Corporate Sponsorship: Sustained by organizational grants and corporate sponsors. Design to Print program sponsored by Zell Family Foundation. Paintbrush Ball annual fundraiser generates significant contributions ($370K+ raised in 2026).
3. Greeting Card and Merchandise Sales: Design to Print program commissions students to create greeting cards sold through online shop, events, markets, and museum/boutique shops. Arts for the Soul merchandise program sells totes, shirts, mugs, hats featuring student artwork. Proceeds directly support free programming.
4. Art Fair Fundraiser: Annual Art Fair is both exhibition and fundraiser featuring 400+ works by 100+ artists. Artists receive 75% of their sales; remaining proceeds support programming. Ticket sales and auction contribute to fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Marwen is a nonprofit arts education organization providing free visual arts courses, college preparation, and career planning programs for Chicago youth in grades 6-12. The organization delivers studio arts instruction across multiple mediums (Photography, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Film, Animation, Digital and Game Design, Comics, Illustration, Sculpture, Fashion, Fiber), supported by mentorship, portfolio development, paid internship programs (Art@Work), and commission opportunities. All programs are provided at no cost through the organization's facility housing 8 specialized studios and 2 labs with professional-grade equipment.

Product overview

Marwen is a nonprofit arts education organization offering a comprehensive suite of free visual arts programs for Chicago youth in grades 6-12. The core offering consists of studio arts courses (Photography, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Film, Animation, Digital and Game Design, Comics, Illustration, Sculpture, Fashion, Fiber) taught by Chicago artists. Supporting programs include Youth Pathway Programs (mentorship, college/career support, portfolio development), paid internship opportunities (Art@Work), commission programs (Design to Print, Commission Projects, Arts for the Soul), the Marwen Lab teen residency, and Artward Bound at Taliesin. The organization also operates Marwen Shop selling student-designed greeting cards, hosts the annual Art Fair exhibition/auction, and maintains an Alumni Association with mentorship opportunities through Marwen Connect. Programs are provided at no cost and serve youth regardless of enrollment status or documentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Art@Work: Creative career internship program for Chicago youth ages 16-18, placing students in arts-related organizations for 5-week summer internships.
• Artward Bound
• Design to Print
• Marwen Lab
• META (Marwen Emerging Teaching Artist)
• Marwen Connect

Products and services

• Studio Arts Courses Free visual arts courses for Chicago 6-12th graders taught by Chicago artists, covering Photography, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Film, Animation, Digital and Game Design, Comics, Illustration, Sculpture, Fashion, Fiber, and more.
• Youth Pathway Programs Support services for students transitioning to high school, college, or the workforce including mentorship, resources, workshops, portfolio development, career support, and college application assistance for 6-12th graders.
• Art@Work A 5-week summer creative career internship program for Chicago teens ages 16-18, placing students in arts-related organizations and businesses to explore creative career pathways.
• Design to Print A commission program where high school students create original artwork for Marwen's annual greeting cards, learning the business side of the industry while receiving compensation. Sponsored by Zell Family Foundation.
• Artward Bound A week-long summer arts residency program at Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's former home and studios in Spring Green, Wisconsin, for teen artists.
• Marwen Lab A year-long teen artist residency program for 10-12th graders providing access to professional equipment and advanced artmaking in ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, fashion, filmmaking, animation, and digital art.
• Portfolio Development Program A 10-week course helping young people develop their own artist portfolio for school, jobs, fellowships, commission opportunities, and internships through artmaking and writing skills.
• Arts for the Soul Commission A commission course where young artists ages 16-18 create artwork for merchandise (totes, shirts, mugs, hats), working alongside professional teaching artists to learn the ins and outs of being commissioned.
• Marwen Art Fair Annual exhibition and art auction event transforming Marwen's building into a gallery featuring 400+ works by 100+ artists, where young people sell their art and receive 75% of sales.
• Marwen Shop Online shop selling greeting cards designed by Chicago teens, with proceeds supporting no-cost programming. Cards are also sold at events, markets, and partner boutiques.
• Marwen Alumni Association Community of nearly 15,000 alumni providing networking, mentorship opportunities, professional development, and pathways to give back through Marwen Connect mentorship program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78% of students from low-income families; 88% BIPOC; 100% of Chicago neighborhoods represented
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Image GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Marwen and teaching artists to produce merchandise featuring student artwork from the Arts for the Soul commission course.
• Intuit (QuickBooks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner for 12 consecutive years. Hosts Marwen students for summer creative internships at Intuit Art Museum.
• Griffin Museum of Science and IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work partner hosting interns in the Education Department to create content, activities, and play kits at the intersection of art and science.
• Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work partner hosting interns in the Learning: School and Youth Communities department, including Teen Creative Agency programs.
• Taliesin (Frank Lloyd Wright)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Artward Bound program, a week-long summer arts residency at Frank Lloyd Wright's former home and studios in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Students engage in nature-based artmaking and historical exploration.
• Snow City ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner focused on arts education and filmmaking programs.
• Hubbard Street Dance ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner hosting interns in Marketing department to learn aspects of arts marketing including media, design, and social media.
• AIGA ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner providing exposure to graphic design, commercial art, and design community resources.
• Blick Art MaterialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGive & Get promotion where customers purchase art materials donated to Marwen while receiving 20% discount. Competition between Lincoln Park and Loop locations to donate most supplies.
• FoursidedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique retail partner selling Marwen greeting cards designed by Chicago teens.
• Buddy (Chicago Cultural Center)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique retail partner at Chicago Cultural Center selling Marwen greeting cards.
• SOWminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoutique retail partner selling Marwen greeting cards.
• A Long Walk HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner in arts administration and social justice programming for Black Girlhood.
• Chicago ScholarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner hosting interns in Marketing & Communications to work on social media and graphic design.
• Artists in Public SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner focused on arts education and residency program operations.
• Heaven GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner in gallery operations, exhibition production, and vintage store management.
• Magnolia Screen PrintingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt@Work internship partner in content creation and community storytelling.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Snow City Arts: Chicago nonprofit delivering visual arts, music, and media arts education to children and teens in hospitals and communities; Marwen's Director of Programs & Facilities John Lyons previously worked at Snow City Arts, and it is a current Art@Work internship partner.
• After School Matters: Chicago-based nonprofit providing after-school and summer arts, sports, and STEM programs to Chicago teens, with a comparable mission of delivering no-cost creative programming to underserved youth across the city.
• Ingenuity: Chicago-based nonprofit that tracks, reports on, and advocates for arts education access across Chicago Public Schools, providing data infrastructure for the youth arts education ecosystem in which Marwen operates.
• Urban Gateways: Long-running Chicago arts education nonprofit bringing arts programming to schools and community settings; Executive Director Akilah Halley previously held a marketing role there, and its mission closely aligns with Marwen's youth arts education focus.
• Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts): Chicago public arts high school serving grades 9-12 with pre-professional training in visual arts, dance, music, and theater; Marwen serves as a critical feeder for ChiArts-bound students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, and one of its faculty teaching artists (Mel Cook-White) previously taught there.

Others

• Loyola Press (Educational Publishing): Educational publishing arm of Loyola with arts-adjacent programming; Manager of Executive and Board Relations Judine O'Shea spent 15 years there as Director of Design and Director of Marketing & Digital Initiatives, providing Marwen with publishing and curriculum development expertise.

Broad incumbents

• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: Major Chicago performing arts organization hosting Art@Work interns in its Marketing department; while focused on dance rather than visual arts, it represents a comparable Chicago creative institution with structured youth engagement programming.
• Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago: Major Chicago art museum operating a Learning: School and Youth Communities department that hosts Art@Work interns; Director of Communications Kennon Reinard previously worked in strategic communications there, indicating deep institutional overlap with Marwen's network.
• National Museum of Mexican Art (CASA Program): Chicago museum with a long-running CASA after-school arts program for youth, serving a similar demographic to Marwen; Marwen Coordinator of Studio Programs Ramona Demotto previously spent 3 years on the CASA program there.

Emerging players

• A Long Walk Home: Chicago nonprofit using art to end violence against Black women and girls; a current Art@Work internship partner working at the intersection of arts administration and social justice programming for Black Girlhood — comparable mission-aligned but more narrowly focused than Marwen.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/marwenchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marwen
• Instagraminstagram.com/marwenarts
• TikToktiktok.com/@marwenchicago
• Xx.com/marwenarts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Marwen