In the final edition of Arts News for this school year:

• Honor the Class of 2026
• Meet a Theatre Graduate
• Celebrate Final Curtain Calls & Visual Arts Exhibition
• Preview Upcoming Cultural Showcases

Celebrating ChiArts' 14th Class of Graduates

On May 26, the ChiArts Class of 2026 will cross the stage at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance— a venue that has hosted some of the world’s most accomplished artists and creatives, to celebrate a remarkable milestone. In addition to earning their high school diplomas, these scholar-artists will be recognized for completing over 2,500 hours of pre-professional arts training during their four years at ChiArts. The evening will feature speeches from both students and faculty, along with awards celebrating academic, arts, and leadership impact in our community.

ChiArts Marks International Jazz Day On Campus and On Stage

On April 27, the Herbie Hancock Institute, in celebration of UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, graced the Jim and Kay Mabie Auditorium with a jazz “informance”—a rare educational performance that blends live music with an exploration of the fundamentals and history of jazz. The session was led by JB Dyas, the Institute’s Vice President of Education and Music Curriculum Development at UCLA. Performers included current musicians studying with the Institute, drawing jazz lovers from around the world, including South Korea, Nairobi, and Paris.

Many ChiArts graduates have gone on to study at the Herbie Hancock Institute, and our Music Conservatory maintains strong connections with its faculty. Each year, ChiArts hosts the Institute for a multi-day jazz workshop series, further deepening this meaningful partnership.

We’re also proud of the ChiArts alumni who represented International Jazz Day at the All-Star Concert at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on April 30. Huge congratulations to Joel Ross (Music ’13) and Daniel Perez (Music ’24), with Daniel performing as part of Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), continuing a legacy of innovation, artistry, and excellence on an international stage.

Cultural Showcases: Celebrating AAPI & Pride

Each year, as the school year comes to a close, we celebrate the communities and cultures that are woven into the fabric of ChiArts. As a long-standing favorite and true all-conservatory collaboration, our cultural showcases offer students a powerful opportunity to perform original work and collaborate across disciplines in celebration of shared identity and community.

Don’t miss this week’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Showcase on May 7 at 6:30 PM, and our highly anticipated Pride Showcase on June 2 at 6:30 PM.

Meet the Graduates | Libby Lavery

This month, we’re adapting our Meet the Artist series to spotlight members of the Class of 2026. Meet Libby Lavery, a Theatre graduate of ChiArts, where she studied in the Musical Theatre track. We sat down with her to reflect on her four-year journey, from her first day at ChiArts to her final moments as a student, as she prepares to attend Roosevelt University to pursue a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Senior Showcase Exhibition & Final Curtain Calls

Join the ChiArts Visual Arts Conservatory for its final exhibition celebrating the Class of 2026. This year, Visual Arts debuts its first-ever art walk, with a dynamic exhibition spanning two galleries. Both El Schomburg (2538 W Division St) and Patient Info (902 N Western Ave) will showcase photography, painting, sculpture, and mixed media work from our graduating seniors.

To close out Curtain Call, the ChiArts Theatre Conservatory takes the stage with back-to-back performances featuring movement work, original pieces, and beloved Broadway numbers. Come out and support our scholar-artists as they take their final bow.

Visual Arts Senior Showcase

5.8 | 6:00 - 8:00pm

5.16 | Select Visiting Hours

Curtain Call: Theatre Years 1 & 2

5.8 | 7:00pm

Curtain Call: Theatre Year 3

5.15 | 7:00pm

Become a Scholar-Artist Legacy Sponsor

In lieu of our annual benefit, the ChiArts Foundation is directing every possible dollar toward sustaining mission-critical conservatory programming through June 30, 2026.

As ChiArts transitions to a district-managed Fine & Performing Arts High School on July 1, 2026, your support ensures our scholar-artists finish the school year strong. 100% of your gift goes directly to pre-professional arts training for this school year. 

We extend heartfelt thank-you to our current supporters. Your impact makes a difference.



As the philanthropic partner of The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), we believe novice talent should have access to the opportunity and training to thrive, no matter their previous exposure to arts education or income. Through the generosity of donors, we fund the five arts conservatories, allowing ChiArts to champion an accessible arts education model for Chicago’s youth.

For more information, visit chiartsfoundation.org