Chicago Archives + Artists Project

The Chicago Archives + Artists Project (CA+AP) is an initiative of Sixty Inches From Center, a collective of writers, editors, artists, curators, librarians, and archivists who publish writings and produce collaborative projects about artists, archival practice, and culture in Chicago and the Midwest. CA+AP’s work highlights Chicago archives and special collections that give space to voices on the margins of history. 

The $25,000 grant supported CA+AP’s 2021/2022 residency program, which pairs archives and artists in year-long collaborations. These residencies explore the vital role of the archive in preserving and interpreting local stories, and the ways they can be a resource for artists in the community. The grant also funded the publication of Archives + Artists: Case Studies in Collaboration, a printed book and guide that shares CA+AP’s learning and experiences over several years of collaborations between artists and archivist communities. Published Fall 2023, the publication enabled CA+AP to archive their own work, to look at the evolving context for these collaborations (particularly as more cultural organizations seek to prioritize working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists), and to share possible models for continuing this type of work with others.

For more information, please visit Chicago Archives + Artists Project.