Partner Spotlight: Art Center of Highland Park

The Art Center Highland Park and Arts of Life have joined forces with a shared mission to reshape the landscape of art and inclusivity on the North Shore. This partnership symbolizes the potential of collective efforts in creating community-integrated opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We had the privilege of speaking with James Lynch, the visionary director of The Art Center Highland Park, to delve into the impact of this collaboration.

James moved to Highland Park 24 years ago. He started his journey with The Art Center as an acting teacher. Those early teaching experiences and his desire to embrace the talents of all people inform his work now and his decision to partner with Arts of Life. He recounted: 

“I called my class ‘Acting For Non-Actors’ because people were intimidated that they had to show up and be like professionals. But my class was meant for the people who had done theater until they had to ‘get real.’ Maybe they did it in college, but it didn’t fit into their lifestyle now – getting a job and being a mom or a dad or whatever. I remember we’d always do a showcase at the end and I asked ‘What did you think about it?’ And this 16-year-old girl lit up and said, ‘My mom took this class and she wouldn’t let me stay home. I didn’t want to come. But I never saw my mom like this before. This is like Oprah.’ I love having people see each other in a different light.”

Since then Lynch has found himself on a journey of growth and discovery as his perspective on inclusion has expanded. “Every time I dive into something, I learn something new,” he said. “I had to be the ADA trainee in order for us to get an Illinois Arts Council grant. I thought ADA meant wide bathroom stalls and an elevator. The more I read, the more I learned that everybody has different needs.” So when Arts of Life reached out, James was excited to collaborate, because, in his words, “Inclusion and diversity just don’t mean race, religion, and gender. It means everything. So I was thrilled because everybody should be welcome here. Everybody should have access to the arts.”

James was pleasantly surprised by how seamless it was to work with Arts of Life, particularly when it came to sharing resources. “The expression I go by is, when the tide comes in, all boats float, said James. “So if we’re thinking this is mine and that’s yours we’re gonna fight for it and struggle, it just makes everything harder.” He added that it was easy to work with Arts of Life.

“That’s that spirit that I get from Arts of Life. You know, just sharing information and being partners” 

These partnerships open collaboration underscores the potency of Arts of Life’s values. Our work to develop community partnerships comes at its core from the Arts of Life artists and disability activists who have expressed their desires to be more included in the larger community. Arts of Life artists have been thrilled to access new facilities, face new challenges, and show their leadership as creative thinkers and makers. As we’ve put together programming, artist input has been an important aspect to decision-making every step of the way. 

Like James, we believe in a world that is truly equitable. Collaborations like these allow artists to participate in their communities as visible, valuable members. Although The Art Center has done its best to make that a possibility, James acknowledged that working with Arts of Life helped him see the effort it really takes to reach communities that have been historically excluded. “I have to learn more and do more outreach to let people know that we’re here as a resource.” Through our partnership, The Art Center has expanded its reach to people for whom discovering opportunities aren’t as accessible through traditional means or who may have support needs that Arts of Life can provide. 

This new cohort of artists in the space naturally supports more diverse and divergent creative energy at The Art Center. James talked fondly of a portrait he saw in progress in one of the art center’s classrooms. “I love seeing what people are doing,” James shared. He particularly remembered a self-portrait by Nikole Heusman. “[She] left it on the easel while she was working on it. I really liked it”.

We asked Nikki how she felt being a part of community programs such as the class in which she created her self-portrait; Nikki told us, “I feel proud of me; getting out there in different communities makes me feel free; that about sums it up, that I can do anything that I can do anything that I put my mind to” 

Along with talented Arts of Life artists, skilled Arts of Life staff have also brought value to The Art Center, creating classes and programming centered around creative expression, accessibility, and independence. Some recent classes include a class exploring creativity, and a class focused on non-traditional printmaking. A class coming this fall will explore ceramic hand-building techniques. These classes have been a boon to artists like Ted Gram-Boarini who shared “ I felt like a permanent crab because we were stuck in doing nothing when we had covid and I feel much better because I see peoples faces now.” He added, “We all have found electrifying experiences [through community programs] that we wouldn’t otherwise have had.”

James Lynch also found the importance of community building to be a big takeaway from the pandemic. People have told James, “I had a studio at home and I can paint at home when I want, but I don’t have that camaraderie. I come in here, and I get inspired by other people. There’s something about the vibe; the culture of being in a building together makes a big difference.”

We asked James what he might say to those hesitant to join an art program. James offers a powerful reminder that art is not a luxury; it’s a vital part of a fulfilled life.

‘The arts are not the icing on the cake; they are a key ingredient of the batter’.” James said, “People think of art as a luxury rather than a necessity. You know, it’s good for your heart. It’s good for your soul. It’s good for your health. For people who go, I don’t have time for it. But do you have time to go work out? To eat healthy? You’re missing something if you don’t do it.”

Overall, the partnership between The Art Center Highland Park and Arts of Life has paved the way for a more inclusive and creative community. James’s vision extends beyond present achievements as he contemplates future initiatives. Our work together reflects the power of collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity in shaping a vibrant and diverse society. Through the dedication of individuals like James Lynch, organizations like The Art Center Highland Park, and most importantly, the artists who advocate for programming like this, barriers are broken, voices are amplified, and art becomes a catalyst for positive change.