The Chicago Mosaic School

What The Chicago Mosaic School does

The Chicago Mosaic School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005 and headquartered at 1127 West Granville Avenue in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. It operates as the first and only non-profit school in the United States dedicated to mosaic arts education, delivering an academic, materially-oriented curriculum that spans beginner foundations through advanced techniques including smalti, glass-on-glass, hammer and hardie, Ravenna method, and large-scale installation. Instruction is delivered through in-person classes and workshops at the Chicago facility, supplemented by online courses that ship materials to students globally.

The school's product portfolio includes signature 6-week foundations classes (Mosaic I), intensive weekend workshops, an online stained-glass curriculum, an on-site Gallery of Contemporary Mosaics, a partially subsidized Artist in Residence program at $1,500 per month, the Marc Drostle Scholarship, gift certificates ($25–$465), private event bookings, and a B2B mosaic installation consulting service for schools, businesses, and community organizations. Curriculum is delivered by instructors described as world-class, including visiting artists such as Gary Drostle and Dugald MacInnes, and supported by partner organizations including the Illinois Arts Council, the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Loyola University Chicago, and Beard & Belly.

Revenue is generated through class and workshop fees ($50–$520 per course), an annual membership program, art supply retail, Artist in Residence fees, event-space rentals, gift certificate sales, and grants/donations. Distribution is primarily direct via the school's own website, supplemented by a Groupon partnership for workshop discovery and off-site community workshops at partner venues. No mobile app, API, or proprietary software platform is disclosed.

Name

The Chicago Mosaic School

Legal name

The Chicago Mosaic School

Website

https://chicagomosaicschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Chicago Mosaic School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2005 and the first U.S. school dedicated to mosaic arts education. It delivers beginner-to-advanced in-person and online classes, workshops, an Artist in Residence program, scholarships, and mosaic installation consulting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG), Community Center Education Programs (EDAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Mosaic arts education
• Art instruction classes
• Nonprofit art school
• Artist residency programs
• Mosaic workshops

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, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Class and Workshop Fees: Primary revenue from tuition for in-person and online classes and workshops ranging from $50-$520 per course
2. Membership Program: Annual membership with exclusive benefits for continuing students and enthusiasts
3. Art Shoppe Sales: Sale of mosaic art supplies, tools, and materials
4. Artist in Residence Program: $1,500 per month residency fee for artists, partially subsidized by the school
5. Event Space Rental: Private event and gallery space rental for groups and individuals
6. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold from $25 to $465 for classes and shop items
7. Donations: 501c(3) non-profit reliant on charitable donations and grants

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Chicago Mosaic School delivers structured mosaic arts education through in-person and online classes, intensive workshops, and continuing studio programs for beginners through advanced students. It also runs a subsidized Artist in Residence program, scholarships, private events, gift certificates, an Art Shoppe for supplies, and consulting/commissioning services for public mosaic installations at schools, businesses, and community organizations.

Product overview

The Chicago Mosaic School is the first and only non-profit school of its kind, offering an academic, materially-oriented approach to mosaic art education. The school provides a portfolio of in-person and online courses, workshops, and programs. Core offerings include foundational classes (Mosaic I, Online Mosaic I), intensive workshops (Mosaic I Weekend, Glass-on-Glass, Hammer and Hardie, Smalti, Pet Portraiture, Landscape, From Clay to Mosaics), Project Studio for continuing students, and specialized programs including the Artist in Residence Program and Marc Drostle Scholarship. The school also offers gift certificates, private event bookings, and mosaic installation consulting services for schools, businesses, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mosaic I The signature 6-week beginner class covering basic mosaic techniques, tools, materials, cutting, adhesives, substrates, design/layout, and grouting. Students complete two projects exploring traditional and contemporary techniques.
• Online Mosaic I with Stained Glass Online version of the signature beginner class taught by world-class instructors over 3 weeks, covering cutting, adhesives, substrates, design/layout and grouting with stained glass materials, including a kit shipped to students.
• Mosaic I Intensive Weekend Workshop A 2.5-day intensive weekend workshop for beginners covering basic techniques, cutting, adhesives, substrates, design/layout and grouting, with students completing two projects.
• Project Studio A 6-week studio class for continuing students to work independently on their projects with instructor guidance, with adhesives, grout, tools and stock materials supplied by the school.
• Glass-on-Glass Mosaic A 6-week class teaching transparency, light, and color effects with mosaic on glass, where students complete a transparent artwork conveying stained glass qualities.
• Glass-on-Glass Mosaic Intensive Weekend Workshop A 3-day workshop on mosaic-on-glass techniques focusing on transparency, light, and color effects, where students create a transparent artwork on approximately 10" x 14" substrates.
• Hammer and Hardie Intensive Workshop A 2-day intensive workshop teaching students to cut stone, marble, and smalti using the hammer and hardie tool, including proper maintenance, sharpening, and care of tools.
• One-Day Smalti Workshop A workshop exploring smalti, a traditional Byzantine glass material, covering hammer and hardie techniques, thinset application, color, and use of light and texture in mosaics.
• A Basic Course in Drawing for Mosaic Online A 3-hour live interactive Zoom workshop teaching basic concepts and grammar of andamenti through drawing exercises, with historical context of Roman, Byzantine and Contemporary mosaics.
• Landscape in Mosaic A 4-day workshop where students combine personal meaning with elements of space, perspective, and atmosphere using different mosaic materials to create landscape mosaics.
• Pet Portraiture (Glass-on-Glass) Weekend Workshop A weekend workshop teaching students to create mosaic pet portraits using the Glass-on-Glass technique, translating photos into unique mosaic designs.
• From Clay To Mosaics A class teaching students to create their own original tesserae/elements from clay for incorporation into mosaic work, covering basic glazing, firing, adhesives and substrates.
• Mosaic 4x4 Workshop at Beard & Belly A 2-hour community workshop held at Beard & Belly venue where participants create a 4" x 4" mosaic to take home, including one drink ticket.
• Gift Certificate Gift certificates available in denominations from $25 to $465, redeemable for any class, workshop, or CMS Art Shoppe items.
• Marc Drostle Scholarship A need-based scholarship honoring artist Marc Drostle, providing full tuition for seasonal workshops and a $1,500 stipend for food and travel expenses to currently enrolled or recently graduated art students.
• Artist in Residence Program The first and only U.S. Mosaic Arts Residency supporting mid-career and established artists with housing and studio space, providing 24-hour studio access and faculty support for 1-12 weeks at a partially subsidized rate of $1,500/month.
• Private Classes and Events Customized private classes and events for groups and individuals, including workshops from core curriculum reformatted for private sessions or basic workshops for beginners of all ages, plus event space rental.
• Mosaic Installation Services Consulting and commissioning services for mosaic installations at schools, businesses, organizations, and community spaces, where CMS can teach, consult, or create mosaic commissions for various settings.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered key, minor and core.

• Illinois Arts CouncilkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerIllinois state arts agency providing grants and funding support to the non-profit mosaic school. Visible as a partner/sponsor on the school's website, indicating financial and reputational support.
• Di MosaicominorOthersPartner/sponsor visible on the school's supporters page
• Beard & BellyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Chicago restaurant hosting off-site mosaic workshops; collaborated on mural installation project in 2023
• Edgewater Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business organization supporting the school as a community partner
• Loyola University ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner visible on supporters page
• Gallery of Contemporary MosaicscoreOthersOn-site gallery operated separately, showcasing contemporary mosaic art and providing exhibition opportunities for students and faculty. Located at the same address as the school.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Anderson Ranch Arts Center: Non-profit arts organization offering workshops, residencies, and exhibitions across ceramics, photography, and sculpture. Comparable as a multi-discipline craft education provider with workshops, residency programming, and donor-supported operations.
• Marwen: Chicago non-profit providing free out-of-school arts education to young people. Comparable as a Chicago-based non-profit arts school relying on donations, programming in studio disciplines, and community partnerships.
• The Crucible: Non-profit industrial arts education center in Oakland offering classes in glass, ceramics, blacksmithing, and other craft disciplines. Comparable as a non-profit craft school with workshop-based tuition, donor support, and adult continuing education focus.
• Penland School of Craft: Non-profit craft education center in North Carolina offering workshops and residencies across ceramics, glass, metal, and book arts. Comparable as a non-profit craft school with workshops, residency programs, and a strong donor base serving committed adult makers.
• Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Non-profit craft school in Maine offering immersive workshops and residencies across disciplines. Comparable as a craft education institution combining tuition, donor support, and an artist residency model.
• Lillstreet Art Center: Chicago-based non-profit art center offering multi-discipline classes and workshops with ceramics studios. Directly comparable as a community-focused fine arts school in the same city serving hobbyists through professionals.
• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts: Tennessee-based non-profit craft school offering workshops and residencies in ceramics, fiber, wood, and metal. Comparable as a non-profit craft education institution with workshop tuition, residency fees, and grant funding.

Emerging players

• Glass Factory (formerly Ignite Glass Studios): Chicago-based glass art studio offering classes, workshops, and team-building events. Comparable as a Chicago-located specialty craft school teaching a related visual medium (glass) with similar pricing tiers and consumer audience.

Broad incumbents

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Major Chicago fine arts institution with degree programs plus continuing education in painting, ceramics, and craft disciplines. Comparable as a Chicago arts educator offering structured visual arts instruction, though at a much larger, degree-granting scale.

Others

• Society of American Mosaic Artists: National membership organization for mosaic artists offering exhibitions, conferences, and educational programming. Comparable as a mosaic-specific community and education hub, though operating as a membership body rather than a brick-and-mortar school.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 The Chicago Mosaic School