18th Street Pilsen Open Studios

18th Street Pilsen Open Studios – Application 2026

Event Dates: October 24th & 25th | Application DEADLINE: September 27th, 2026
Join us for the 24th Annual, 18th St Pilsen Open Studios!

This special event was started in 2003 by a group of longtime Pilsen artists. The focus of the event is on "studios" as the place of production, allowing the public a rare glimpse at where (and how) art in Pilsen is made. All artists involved in the event either work or live in the neighborhood, or have a strong historical connection to Pilsen. A limited number of cultural spaces /cafes in Pilsen also participate in this event to show work from Pilsen-connected artists who don't have a studio in the neighborhood.

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Event Dates: October 24th & 25th / Noon-6pm

Application DEADLINE: September 27th, 2026

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Eligibility Requirements:
- Participating Location must be within the following boundaries: Western Ave to Halsted St / 16th Street to Cermak Ave / Blue Island Ave
- Participating artists must either Live, Work, and or have a Strong Connection to Pilsen.
- Artists may use their Home Studio as a participating location.
- An Artist may partner with a local business fitting of showcasing artwork and open to the public during full event times.
- A local gallery and or community business fitting of showcasing artwork can be a host location for an artist(s).
- Participating location MUST BE OPEN BOTH DAYS for FULL EVENT HOURS
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Questions on Eligibility, Participation & Application can be directed to Pilsen Arts & Community House team.

Call or Text: 312-468-9046

Email: teresa@pilsenartscommunityhouse.org, info@pilsenartscommunityhouse.org

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PLEASE READ APPLICATION THOROUGHLY as you fill out. THANK YOU!
Applicant Name

First NameLast Name
Venue Name / Artist Name
This is your venue name and or individual name as it will appear on event maps/posters/info. (max 3 individual names)
Studio, Gallery or Business Address
This address will appear on event maps/posters/info.
Are you the only person exhibiting at this address? If there are others, please name them.
What type of space is this?
Let us know what type of space your art is being showcased at?
Contact Information
Phone number (FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY)
This is only for us to communicate with you.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Phone number for publication
This phone number may appear on event maps/posters/info.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email address (FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY)
This is only for us to communicate with you.
Email address for publication
This may appear on event maps/posters/info.
Web presence: website/Facebook/Instagram etc.
This may appear on event maps/posters/info.
About Your Work / Participation
What will you be showing during Pilsen Open Studios? (media or artform)
Please describe yourself (for internal use only)
This information will remain private.
How long have you been practicing your artform? We are looking for a general understanding of how experienced artists are who participate in Pilsen Open Studios. This information will remain private
Do you open your studio for any other events? Please say which.
This is for internal use only.
Please talk about your connection to Pilsen (or what drew you here if you are new). Pilsen has been the cultural heart of the Mexican community in Chicago for decades. Historically, Pilsen has been an immigrant neighborhood (Polish, Bohemian, Mexican) and an activist neighborhood. Artists from the neighborhood have created many community spaces and projects, including this Open Studios event. For this answer, you could talk about your connection to Pilsen schools, community-building efforts, collaborations with other Pilsen artists, attendance at Pilsen-based exhibits, public art efforts, neighborhood efforts, or anything you think is relevant
Have you participated in Pilsen Open Studios prior to this year? If so, how many times?
Fees & Participation
18th St. Pilsen Open Studios is funded by the participating artists. It was designed as an independent, artist-run, noncommercial event. Artists' fees pay for graphic design services, printed and digital promotional materials, banners, printed and digital maps for the public.

If the participation fee presents a barrier, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly — we're happy to work with you.
info@pilsenartscommunityhouse.org
How would you like to pay the $100 fee?
Help!! Please tell us how you can pitch in! We need people to help with just about every aspect of this event. To keep costs low, and to make sure this is truly an artist-run event, we rely entirely on each other / all participants and volunteers. Please tell us how you can pitch in. If you are new, we can pair you up with someone to work with. It's fun!

Other
Show Details & Materials
NAME OF YOUR SHOW (not required)
BIO AND STATEMENT (max 250 words)
Image File Uploads

Please send 3 images of your best work. By sending them you authorize use in publicity.
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18th Street Pilsen Open Studios – Application 2026

Contact Information

About Your Work / Participation

Fees & Participation

Show Details & Materials