Membership


The Jewish Artists Collective Chicago is Seeking New Members

JACC began in 2016 as an outgrowth of the inaugural Spertus Institute Midwest Artists Lab. All members are committed artists who practice a range of media and styles and share a common mission of creating contemporary, engaging, and thoughtful work that reflects Jewish themes and values.


Why join JACC?

JACC is a community of multidisciplinary artists connected through common heritage and committed to sharing ideas, enriching practices, and creating dialogue with community. It was formed with the following objectives: 


 JACC was formed with the following objectives:

  • Elevate personal practice by providing a forum to discuss contemporary ideas as they relate to art, culture or Jewish themes
  • Share resources, ideas and insights into our creative processes
  • Provide a positive experience of Jewish culture and thought through art
  • Provide a nurturing environment to identify as Jewish artists
  • Curate and participate in exhibitions of members’ artwork
  • Contribute operational contacts to aid in the production and sharing of our work
  • Provide artistic knowledge and services related to Jewish art in the community
  • Create opportunities for dialogue among interfaith groups with the goal of inclusion
  • Maintain an organizational website in order to provide information to the community at large about JACC artists and our community enrichment activities. 


What does it mean to identify as a Jewish Artist?

"Art and Judaism are our core identities. We leave the practical definition of this up to the individual member. Some artists work with more overtly Jewish content than others. We have members who create ritual items, and others create visual art that is inspired by Jewish text and history. Amongst us, there is often an overlapping of community, text, and personal expression. Our members recognize that there has been an explosion in contemporary Jewish creative production. In our diversity of ideas and artistic output, we are united by memory of place and heritage. Just as certain prayers can only be said in the presence of a minyan, we are committed to working within a community as essential to being a Jewish artist." 
Ellen Holtzblatt, one of our JACC founding members

 

Application procedure:

Each application requires the following components:

  • A statement, limited to 500 words, explaining interest in membership and forms of contribution to the further development of the group.
  • A current resume that includes exhibition record
  • Five (5) images of current work.
  • Website link.


Note: exceptional circumstances will be considered.


JACC is proud of the artistic professionalism and industry reputation of its members as well as their capacity and willingness to collaborate.


Submit electronic applications to: jsweintraub@comcast.net


Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis at our bimonthly meetings. Prospective members will be contacted by JACC regarding next steps.


Copyright Jewish Artists Collective Chicago 2023