Background
Chicago has a long history of being an incubator for various industries: manufacturing, theater, architecture, music, science, literature. As a classic urban center, this city has provided opportunities and support for an array of industries. Now, as we enter the 21st century, this library of industrial and creative venues is transforming into a new range of digital industries. Providing educational resources to help develop an educated society is not a new issue, but one that changes and develops as the urban environment transforms itself. Public schools are key. If a city is to continue to develop and prosper, it must provide superior public services including schools and libraries.
Founded in 2018 by Chicago photographer, Suzette Bross, CPS Lives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization that pairs Chicago artists, designers, creatives, thinkers, makers, and educators with a Chicago Public School during the academic year to collaborate on a project, sharing the unique and individual story of each Chicago Public School. Each story will be celebrated and exhibited through local Chicago Public Library branches, as well as existing on the CPS Lives website as an accessible digital archive of history for students, families, community members, educators, administrators, policymakers, and the general public.
Organizers
Suzette Bross
Founder & Executive Director
suzettebross@cpslives.com
Kendall Hill
Co Artistic Director
kendallhill@cpslives.com
Sophia Guadalupe Padgett Pérez
Co Artistic Director
sophiapadgettperez@cpslives.com
Board of Directors
Molly Kelly
Yumi Ross
Ross Architecture Inc.
Rhonda Brown
Cheri Hubbard
Jenn Dixon
Mike Noonan
Marielle Lifshitz
Advisory Board
Susan Aaron
CPS Alumni & Non-Profit
Teri Boyd
Chicago Sinfonietta Community Outreach Coordinator
Nora Daley
Non-profit Policy
Tricia Van Eck
Artistic Director, 6018 North
Catherine Edelman
Owner, Catherine Edelman Gallery
Terry Evans
Photographer
Vikki Hood
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
Cyraina Johnson-Roullier
Associate Professor of English, University of Notre Dame
Molly Kelly
Asset Management
Karen Krehbiel
Attorney, Berger Schatz
Carrie Lannon
Communications and Brand Strategist
Caroline Older
Executive Director, Chicago Artists Coalition
Yumi Ross
Architect, Ross Architecture Inc.
Lori Smedley
Executive Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations
Leslie Thomas
Executive and Creative Director, ARTWORKS Projects
Gary Schechner
Marketing Consaltant
