The South Side Community Art Center seeks to preserve and promote the legacy and future of African-American art and artists while educating the community on the value of art and culture.

Dedicated by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1941, the South Side Community Art Center was one of nearly 100 art centers established by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. Mrs. Roosevelt spoke at the event, applauding the efforts of the community to realize their dream. The center is the only WPA art center still operating as established in its original building. Many of the original details in the landmarked building remain. The Bauhaus-style center staircase and the main Margaret Burroughs gallery are key elements in the landmark narrative.

Brook Architecture, in conjunction with a grant writer and contractor, completed a programmatic assessment of the existing building in an effort to raise funds to renovate the aging building. Brook Architecture also phased in a future addition to encourage and promote the teachings of the center.

Since beginning this effort with the Center, Brook Architecture has completed a zoning analysis, identified eligible vacant parcels for development, created a space program, schematic design drawings and renderings and preliminary construction estimate. With this information in hand, the Executive Director secured over $2 million dollars in funding for construction improvements and has been granted additional real estate for development.

In 2018 the South Side Community Art Center was listed as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.