The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art has been around for nearly 25 years and is the only nonprofit organization in the United States solely dedicated to outsider art. As the museum gets ready to celebrate its anniversary in a unique way next year, the staff credits its success to the showcasing of artists who aren’t formally taught as well as Intuit’s ability to attract audiences that aren’t typically prone to attend art museums. In 1983, the Corcoran Gallery of Art put on a black folk ar

RedMoon Theatre has been providing Chicago residents with free events and entertainment for the past 24 years. The organization has partnered with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park district to bring the city their biggest event yet, The Great Chicago Fire Festival, on October 4th under the leadership of executive artistic director, Jim Lasko. Lasko, a Highland Park native, has been with RedMoon since 1991. “We’ve never done anything of this scale before,” Lasko said referring to The Grea

Ever wonder what a Cook County Commissioner actually does? ChicagoTalks reporters shed light on county board activities. “Most people don’t know what a commissioner does or who a commissioner is until they need them,” said Cristina Saldana, director of operations for Commissioner John Fritchey. Stemming from this concern is the decision to reduce the number of meetings from 17 to 11 in 2014, sparking debate among commissioners at the Cook County Board meeting Dec. 4. Commissioners fear their

Reducing the number of Cook County board meetings by six next year did not reduce the amount of debate between commissioners at Wednesday’s board meeting. “There are almost 2,000 square miles of the county, and this gives people the chance to come and make their case whether or not we agree with them, This is what we’re here for.” said Bridget Gainer, Cook County Commissioner for the 10th district, who voted against reducing the meetings from 17. County Board President Toni Preckwinkle sponsor

The last five years of economic turmoil have rattled America’s nonprofits. While funding for these organizations has been slashed, the demand for them has been steadily growing, advocates said Wednesday. “Cuts in spending do not mean cuts in demand for social services,” said Delia Coleman, Donors Forum executive director of public policy. “These cuts affect more than nonprofits. … They affect children in need of nutrition, families needing shelter and our communities as a whole. These cuts have