The evening celebrated Rhona Hoffman’s lasting influence and raised vital funds to bring more professional artists into Chicago Public Schools.

Artists in Public Schools Founder Suzette Bross speaks at the Arts Club

By GINNY VAN ALYEA

On October 23 a gala at The Arts Club of Chicago was a night to remember — raising the highest amount in Artists in Public Schools’ history. A packed and engaged crowd of art collectors, gallerists, curators, museum leaders, and longtime friends of honoree Rhona Hoffman came together to celebrate creativity, community, and the power of art in education.

Executive Director Suzette Bross reflected on the organization’s growth and the artists who helped shape its vision.

“When I first shared this idea with my mentor and friend, photographer Jay Wolke, he thought I was a little nuts,” she recalled with a smile. “But then he said, Let’s do it. Jay became one of our first artists-in-residence, creating extraordinary work that continues today. He believed in this vision from the very beginning.”

Bross shared stories of the program’s impact across Chicago Public Schools, from schools like Namaste Elementary Charter School, where community pride and enrollment flourished after a residency, to students like Nicole, who discovered her creative voice and went on to earn a Daniel Murphy Scholarship for high school.

Honoree Rhona Hoffman and APS Founder Suzette Bross

“By cultivating artist residencies inside schools, we create space for art that’s authentic, student-centered, and community-driven,” Bross said. “It’s not pre-programmed — it’s created with the community, not for it.”

Since its founding, Artists in Public Schools has partnered with more than 90 artists, working in 93 schools across 61 neighborhoods, and reaching over 57,000 students citywide.

The evening paid tribute to Hoffman, a trailblazing leader in the art world whose impact on Chicago’s cultural landscape and arts education is profound. Her belief that art belongs to everyone continues to shape how art is created, shared and experienced. Lisa Key, Director of The Richard H. Driehaus Museum, and Gary Metzner of Sotheby’s introduced Hoffman to the audience, highlighting her enduring influence and commitment to the arts.

Hoffman shared that she immediately accepted Bross's award honor because of the organization's mission of paying artists to teach in the public schools, which serve 634 schools and 325,00 students.

Hoffman said she grew up knowing that music, dance and art were an integral part of the lives of lucky children with financial means, but she believes it seems possible and is hopeful that the rest of the children will be able to enjoy the arts in the public school system because of programs like this. "Many people still do not understand the value and necessity," Hoffman emphasized, "of having art taught by an artist. Art provides a powerful outlet for self expression and teaches creativity and problem solving. Art is part of the whole learning process."

Funds raised from the event will directly support programs that bring professional artists into Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Through these collaborations, students gain access to the arts, amplify their voices, and engage in creative projects that strengthen their school communities. The initiative also inspires CPS students to envision futures in the arts — helping to shape Chicago’s next generation of creators.

“Your support fuels every residency, every student story, and every piece of art that brings our mission to life,” Suzette told attendees.

As Hoffman shared, "I hope you understand how important this project could be for many hundreds of thousands of kids without money [to enjoy art education] and I hope you give freely!"

After the event Bross said that the organization is close to reaching its fundraising goal and aims to connect 1,000 more students with artist residencies next year. Donations can still be made at artistsinpublicschools.org/donate.

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Guests browsed the extensive silent auction at the event