Youth Programs

Current Programs

Middle Schools
High Schools
3D Maker Lab
Design Lab
Digital Lab
Fun Fridays
Summer Camp
Beginner Electronics
(Session 2: April 10th - June 7th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

Students who are interested in electronics and robotics should take this class! Projects will focus on fundamentals of electricity, building circuits, programming LED matrixes, and more.

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    Model and Print
    (Session 1: January 9th - March 10th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

    Come learn to use Blender to create your own 3D models and prepare them to be 3D printed. This course will cover sketching designs, 3D modeling them, and how to use 3D printers and their filament!

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      Digital Sculpting
      (September 26th -December 16th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

      Students in this course will create custom characters and creatures using Zbrush. This industry standard 3D software is used in everything from games to VFX in movies.

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        3D Sponge Art
        (Session 2: April 10th - June 7th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

        Students will develop skills of repurposing sponges to create 2D mixed media art in this course. Using their imagination, students will design objects out of sponges and use color theory to make prints on paper. They will use the prints as a starting point to create mixed media artworks by adding pencil drawing. Once finished, the artworks will be displayed in an art exhibition with their peers at Gallery 1701.

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          Pop-Up Paper Sculptures
          (Session 1: January 9th - March 10th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

          Students will develop their story-telling skills in a set of drawings that they use to project into 3D paper sculptures. Using repurposed books, students will design individual creatures or landscapes that will bring their story to life. The Pop-up sculpture will be displayed in an art exhibition with their peers at the end of the session.

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            Storybook Pop-Up: Paper Sculptures
            (September 26th -December 16th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

            Students will develop their story-telling skills in a set of drawings that they use to project into 3D paper sculptures. Using repurposed books, students will design individual creatures or landscapes that will bring their story to life. The Pop-up sculpture will be displayed in an art exhibition with their peers at the end of the session.

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              Exploring Digital Photography
              (Session 2: April 10th - June 7th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

              This course will explore Landscape and Portrait Photography. Students will capture imagery in both the studio and the local neighborhood environment. The course will utilize digital cameras, photo editing software and specialty lenses and hardware.

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                Studio Photography
                (Session 1: January 9th - March 10th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

                This course will explore studio Macro/Close-up Photography. Students will utilize digital cameras, photo editing software and specialty lenses and hardware.

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                  Intro into Graphic Design
                  (September 26th -December 16th) Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30pm -6:30pm

                  Interested in creating awesome posters for Movies, Comic Books, or for Video Games and wished you had the design skills to make something similar? Students in this course will learn how to create eye-catching posters through Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Canva without previous experience in graphic design.

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                    Field Friday is an excellent way to build a bridge between classroom learning and life outside of school, providing an opportunity for real-world application. CHICAT connects Middle students, through arts and technology, to community-based organizations that will teach them about local resources and events, the power of civic engagement, job prospects, and much more.
                    Exploring Technology through STEAM!
                    (Field Friday is only available on Fridays, from 3:30pm -6:30pm, and will run for both Session 1 and Session 2)

                    Field Friday is an excellent way to build a bridge between classroom learning and life outside of school, providing an opportunity for real-world application. CHICAT connects Middle students, through arts and technology, to community-based organizations that will teach them about local resources and events, the power of civic engagement, job prospects, and much more.

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                      Fun Fridays: Exploring STEAM through Play
                      (September 26th -December 16th) Available only on Fridays from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM

                      Fun Fridays are a great way for youth to end their week as a reward for working hard! The kiddos deserve some time to socialize and explore various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) based projects!

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                        2023 Summer Camp!
                        (June 26th - August 4th) Monday - Friday, from 9:00am -3:00pm

                        Students in our Summer Camp will experience hands-on learning in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education by rotating to a new course every two weeks. CHICAT families can choose any of the following sessions to enroll their middle school student in or families can opt to enroll in all 3 sessions for the summer!

                         

                        Morning Classes: Monday -Thursday, from 10am -12pm 

                        Design Lab: 3D Vortex Chalk Art 

                        Students will develop drawing skills in Optical Art individually in week 1, developing an idea for 1 huge collaborative outside. Week 2 students will work as a team to create a realistic looking optical illusion on the sidewalk and learn to photograph their artwork. Sketches will be on display in Gallery 1701 for the end of the summer exhibition.

                        Digital Lab: Nature Photography

                        Students this summer will learn how lighting, composition, and photography techniques help you create stunning landscape and nature photography.

                        3D Maker Lab: Art with CNC

                        In the course, students will learn to design projects that can created with CNC machines such as electric cutters and routers. Projects will range from vinyl projects, to holiday cards and custom t-shirts.

                         

                        Afternoon classes: Monday – Thursday, from 1pm -3pm 

                        Stop Motion

                        Stop Motion is an excellent tool that can enhance the learning experience in any classroom! Students will use a powerful and user-friendly app for their projects! Stop Motion allows students to bring their creative ideas to life, while providing endless opportunities for project-based learning and collaboration.

                        Fashion Forward

                        Students will create a fashion portfolio project showcasing the design process including concept building, color palettes, fabric sourcing, print design, sketching, illustration, technical flats, and presentation.

                        Gardening

                        In our gardening program, students will learn about  about environmental stewardship, and immerse them in the education of growing organic food, flowers, and landscaping, which is something we believe to be an important life skill.

                         

                        Friday programming from 9am-3pm

                        Fun Fridays

                        Middle school campers will take fun and engaging field trips, check out CHICAT’s first High School and College fair, and participate in our annual Summertime CHI Festival: Back to School and Community Health Fair! Fun Fridays are a great way for youth to end their week as a reward for working hard! The kiddos deserve some time to socialize and explore various STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) based projects!

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                          3D Maker Lab
                          Design Lab
                          Digital Lab
                          Winter Preview
                          3D Animation
                          (June 26th -August 4th) Monday- Thursday, from 1:00pm -5pm and Fridays, from 10:00am -3:00pm

                          Use 3D software to design, texture, rig, and animate characters. Students in this class will begin with introductory modeling and rigging before moving on to more intricate projects. Classes will take place Monday -Thursday, from 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Friday, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM starting in June 26th!

                          Location: Chicago Center for Arts & Technology, 1701 W 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                           Applications are open! 

                          To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                          Search the program and submit the application.

                          Need help completing your application?
                          Call or email us!

                          (312)-768-5200

                          applications@afterschoolmatters.org

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                            Creative Coding
                            (September 26th -December 16th) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm

                            Mix your tech and creative skills together to design and build electronic projects. Students will use lights, servo motors, Arduinos and more to bring their ideas into reality.

                            This course is anticipated to be in person. It will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm beginning September 26th!

                            Location: Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1701 W. 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                            To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                            Search the program and submit the application.

                            Need help completing your application?

                            Call or email us!

                            (312) 768-5200

                            applications@afterschoolmatters.org

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                              Self-Portrait Portfolio
                              (June 26th -August 4th) Monday- Thursday, from 1:00pm -5:00m and Fridays, from 10:00am -3:00pm

                              Students will work on a series of sketches in drawing and painting that will act as a blueprint to a large-scale work of art. Students will learn how to stretch and gesso their own canvases, as they prepare for college or vocational work as an artist after high school. The studies will result in a solo or collaborative painting that will be displayed in our end-of-year event exhibiting amongst their peers at Gallery 1701. Classes will take place Monday -Thursday, from 1:00pm – 5:00pm and Friday, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM starting in June 26th!

                              Location: Chicago Center for Arts & Technology, 1701 W 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                              Applications are open! 

                              To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                              Search the program and submit the application.

                              Need help completing your application?
                              Call or email us!

                              (312)-768-5200

                              applications@afterschoolmatters.org

                              Enroll

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                                Unveil Yourself: Creative 3D Candles
                                (September 26th -December 16th) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm

                                Using technical drawings, students will design a simple clay figure or object that will be molded into an environment for wax pours. They will learn about color theory and problem-solving complex ideas. The design will express their ideas of freedom through identity. Students will exhibit their work in a final display amongst their peers in Gallery 1701. 

                                This course is anticipated to be in person. It will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm beginning September 26th!

                                Location: Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1701 W. 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                                To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                                Search the program and submit the application.

                                Need help completing your application?

                                Call or email us!

                                (312) 768-5200

                                applications@afterschoolmatters.org

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                                  Commercial Photography
                                  (June 26th -August 4th) Monday -Thursday from 1:00pm-5:00pm and Fridays from 10:00am -3:00pm

                                  From learning the fundamental and artistic aspects of photography to understanding how art can create positive social change, students will participate in weekly field trips to capture environmental imagery, learn the core techniques and apply compositional skills of Commercial Photography to achieve specific clientele needs. Our clients, who work in the Health Care and Interior Design Industry, are looking for student work to permanently display in their facilities.

                                  Location: Chicago Center for Arts & Technology, 1701 W 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                                  Applications are open! 

                                  To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                                  Search the program and submit the application.

                                  Need help completing your application?
                                  Call or email us!

                                  (312)-768-5200

                                  applications@afterschoolmatters.org

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                                    Cut-Out Animation: Introduction to Animation
                                    (September 26th -December 16th) Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm

                                    This class is focused on teaching student’s digital cutout style animation techniques, with scanned images and vector graphics. South Park is a notable example of the cutout-style.

                                    This course is anticipated to be in person. It will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4:30pm -6:30pm beginning September 26th!

                                    Location: Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1701 W. 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                                    To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                                    Search the program and submit the application.

                                    Need help completing your application?

                                    Call or email us!

                                    (312) 768-5200

                                    applications@afterschoolmatters.org

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                                      Fundamentals of DLSR Filmmaking 
                                      (January 30th -February 9th) Monday – Thursday from 4:30pm -6:30pm 

                                      Through hands-on demos, including how to create a compelling cooking demonstration, learn the core techniques and how to apply the compositional skills of the still photography to DSLR filmmaking. In this program you will learn how to navigate the video-capturing features of a DLSR, choose the right gear for their filmmaking needs, and incorporate audio into shoots!

                                      This course is anticipated to be in person. It will take place Monday – Thursday, from 4:30pm -6:30pm beginning September 26th!

                                      Location: Chicago Center for Arts and Technology, 1701 W. 13th St. Chicago, IL 60608

                                      To apply, visit https://www.afterschoolmatters.org/teens/apply/

                                      Search the program and submit the application.

                                      Need help completing your application?

                                      Call or email us!

                                      (312) 768-5200

                                      applications@afterschoolmatters.org

                                      Enroll

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