CHICAGO, April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Museum of
Mexican Art announced it has acquired from the
City of Chicago the property at
2358 S. Whipple Street in Little
Village, a decommissioned fire station. In October, the City
Council approved the $1 sale of the
City-owned property to the Museum for redevelopment into a
community center for art programming.
The fire station was built in 1907 and has been vacant since
2011, when Chicago Fire Department
Engine Co. 109 moved into a new facility at 2343 S. Kedzie
Avenue.
Once restored, the 8,600-square-foot building will be home to a
second location for Yollocalli Arts Reach, the award-winning youth
initiative of the Museum that offers free arts and culture
programming to teens and young adults. The renovated site will also
provide a much-needed community gathering space for
multigenerational activities.
The popular Yollocalli program has outgrown its current space
within the Little Village Boys & Girls Club. Museum leaders
believe the additional facility will allow Yollocalli programming
to double its capacity, serving 300 more students through
after-school and summer programs.
The total development cost of the project is estimated at
$4 million, which the
Museum expects to finance through grants and related funding,
pro-bono and discounted services, and support from Museum
advocates.
"We are beyond excited at the opportunity to repurpose this
vacant building and expand our youth arts programming, providing
critical resources to youth in Little Village and surrounding
neighborhoods," said Yanet Garcia,
Museum Trustee, Co-Chair of the Fire station Committee, and Vice
President, Construction at Related Midwest. "We look forward to
working with our partners to make this important initiative a
reality."
Garcia notes that Yollocalli students and members of the Little
Village community have been active participants in the process.
Carlos Tortolero, Founder and
President Emeritus of the National Museum of Mexican Art, said, "We
are incredibly grateful to Mayor Brandon
Johnson, to Chicago's
Department of Planning and Development and Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez for shepherding this through
the City Council, to Alderman Michael
Rodriguez for his support, and to Commissioner George Cardenas, Cook
County Board of Review Commissioner of the First District
and former alderman, who initiated the project. Yollocalli is an
important part of the Museum's mission and legacy."
"We're thrilled to expand our programming for the youth of
Little Village and the Chicagoland area," said Vanessa Sanchez, Director of Education and
Yollocalli Arts Reach. "We see the fire station as a spark for
youth joy and expression, creative opportunities,
partnerships, and community. As a former student of Yollocalli, I
look forward to continuing its legacy in this place, and just like
its name, it will be the 'house of the heart' for more young
people."
Wallin-Gomez Architects, Ltd. is the architect of record in
transforming the historic fire station into a modern arts education
and community center. Civic Projects Architecture is the design
consultant for the building's program space.
The first floor of the renovated building will include a
reception area, staff offices, lounge areas, recording booth,
gallery, and performance and meeting space for up to 65 people.
Yollocalli students will utilize the first floor, which will also
be open to community members for meetings, workshops, performances,
and other gatherings.
The second floor will include four art studios including a
ceramics studio, digital media recording room, and additional
breakout rooms and gathering spaces. Restorers will preserve the
buildings' original tin ceilings and glazed tiles and repurpose a
spiral staircase into an indoor garden.
Work to renovate and restore the building is underway. The
Museum hopes to open the new facility in early 2025.
About the National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the country's most
prominent Latino cultural organizations and the only nationally
accredited museum dedicated to Mexican art and culture. In 2020,
the Museum earned the honor of being named one of America's
Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation. Its Permanent Collection
consists of more than 20,000 artworks. The Museum has presented
over 150 exhibitions, provides arts education to 52,000 students
each year, and serves over 150,000 annual visitors from 60
countries. Admission is always free.
www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.
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SOURCE National Museum of Mexican Art