78%
Percentage of young people are from low-income families
Marwen educates and inspires young people through art and community.
Art as a pathway to opportunity and self-discovery
Founded in 1987, Marwen has supported nearly 16,000 young people through no-cost studio arts courses, academic mentorship, and professional development pathways.
We're Making a Difference: Our Mission in Numbers
Mission & Impact88%
Percentage of young people identify as BIPOC
100%
Percentage of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods served
Become a Marwen Student and Ignite Your Creativity
Get Started!
New Student Open House & Registration
Learn about Marwen, tour the studios, meet staff, and reserve your place.
See What Marwen is All About
See an overview of our courses and programs offered across the year.
Choose a Course That Inspires You
Explore a wide variety of free visual arts courses taught by Chicago artists.
Latest Updates
Latest NewsSpring Break
Marwen's 2026 Spring Break Workshops
26 February 2026
Latest News
Marwen & Griffin MSI Celebrate Black Creativity
26 February 2026
Latest NewsSpring Break
Marwen's 2026 Spring Break College Visits
24 February 2026
Marwen Stories
""I'm writing a story in Marwen's comic class now. Then I'm going to make my characters come to life in the 3-D printing class. Next term, I'll take filmmaking to animate the whole thing. I have plans. I can do everything here."
Marwen Student, Middle School
Support What We Do
What began as a one-room art studio in 1987 now serves more than 1,000 young people each year. This work is made possible by our community of supporters including alumni, families, and friends.