harnessing the power of the arts
to drive sustainable growth & community enrichment
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing suburban Chicago through the power of local creativity. By championing underrepresented artists across all mediums, we foster cultural growth, provide resources, and build lasting creative communities.
Empowering artists. revitalizing communities.
Our
Team
United by a shared mission, we work to uplift underrepresented artists, foster innovation, and create lasting opportunities for local talent.
Get to know the people behind the movement.
Kaelyn Whiteside
Founder & Executive Director
Zakia Rowlett
Program Development Director
Rashod Whitaker
Community Outreach Coordinator
Our 2025 goals
50+
underrepresented artists engaged through programs & events
5-10
creative activations hosted in South Suburban Chicago
5+
corporate sponsors & funding partners secured
What we
Offer
Creative programs, Opportunities & Events
- Community Arts Activations
- Artist development & education
- Artist support & showcase
- Engaging creative workshops & skill-building sessions
- Entrepreneurship guidance for artists
partnerships & business support
- The Chiburbanite Creative Impact Lab (CCIL) offers creative services to local businesses and municipalities by providing youth and emerging suburban talent with hands-on experience in creative agency roles. Through this community-driven initiative, young creatives gain real-world experience in design, strategy, and production while helping to elevate local businesses and public spaces.
advocacy & cultural revitalization
- Bring attention to overlooked creative talent in suburban Chicagoland areas
- Engagement with local policymakers & community leaders to create opportunities for artists
- Advocation for more public arts funding & cultural investment in suburban Chicagoland ares
At Chiburbanite, we see a problem: suburban Chicago communities are filled with talented, underrepresented artists, but many of them don’t have the platform or resources they need to succeed.
While Chicago tops U.S. cities as the best and most livable for those in creative industries (Axios, 2023), Illinois still ranks only 10th in the nation for the Best Environments for the Arts (Smile Hub, 2024). That’s a disconnect we can’t ignore. The city of Chicago offers organizations like DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) to drive growth and push forwards it’s creative scene, while the suburbs often fall behind.
That’s where we come in.
At Chiburbanite, we’re dedicated to nurturing local talent and bridging connections across communities. We believe that by doing so, we can elevate Illinois’ standing and position the state as a national leader in the arts.
Our mission is to transform suburban Chicago into a hub where residents’ creative endeavors not only thrive but also fuel economic growth and community revitalization. Through the power of the arts, we aim to spark positive change that resonates throughout our neighborhoods. Here, creativity isn’t just celebrated—it’s driving progress.
We envision a future where suburban Chicago too becomes a nationally recognized arts hub, with a thriving creative economy that fuels local businesses and enhances the cultural landscape.
Successful initiatives could lead to a stronger local economy, more arts-based job opportunities, and a more vibrant community. This includes but is not limited to: increased local tourism, improved access to arts education, enhanced public spaces, more diverse and inclusive arts representation, increase property value and economic development, and new sustainable career paths in the arts.
