2. “The most influential art
school in the United States”
Producer of the most
Fulbright Scholars over the
last decade among all US
art and design schools
In the top 10 art and design
schools in the country for
both starting and mid-
career salary potential
Honored with the Higher
Education Excellence in
Diversity (HEED) Award in
2014, 2015, and 2016
—Columbia University’s Art Critics
National Arts Journalism Survey
—Payscale
—Insight Into Diversity
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC)
Corporate Partners Program is an opportunity for
the business community to engage with a world-
class art and design school to advance culture and
innovative thinking.
Founded in 1866, SAIC is a leader in educating artists, designers,
and scholars and offers nationally accredited undergraduate
and graduate degrees to nearly 3,600 students from 55
countries. Our resources include the Art Institute of Chicago
museum, the Gene Siskel Film Center, on-campus galleries,
and state-of-the-art facilities. And our culture of innovation
and experimentation enables our students, faculty, and alumni
to make significant, groundbreaking contributions to the art,
design, and scholarship of our time.
The School’s interdisciplinary approach empowers students
and faculty to work across boundaries to solve problems
with creative solutions—from product design to market
research, from issues of sustainability to education and
community outreach.
As a corporate partner, you will contribute to the academic
and professional development of the next generation of artists
and designers while advancing SAIC’s impact on the cultural and
intellectual landscapes of the places where faculty, students,
and alumni live and work.
INSPIRE
VISIONARY IDEAS
3. “THE IDEA THAT
SOMEONE IS PUTTING
EFFORT INTO MY
FUTURE WAS A SCARY,
HAPPY MOMENT;
BECAUSE NOW
THAT YOU HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY, YOU
HAVE TO TAKE IT.”
The young artists of today are the creative leaders of tomorrow.
SAIC is committed to helping young people realize their full
potential by creating pathways to college education.
Scholarships like the Walter and Shirley Massey Chicago Fund
provide students with the resources to achieve their goals.
The Massey Fund Scholarship was created in honor of SAIC
Chancellor Dr. Walter Massey and his wife, Shirley, who have
been lifelong advocates for educational access for all students.
The Massey Scholarship is awarded to Chicago public high
school graduates, who receive support for all four years of their
undergraduate studies at SAIC. The Massey Fund has a profound
impact on the lives of our students and has already received
enthusiastic support from many of our corporate partners.
INVEST IN FUTURE
CREATIVE LEADERS
“IT MEANT THAT NOT
ONLY WAS I ABLE TO
GO TO COLLEGE, BUT
THAT I COULD PURSUE
MY DREAMS.”
—Whitney Hinojosa, Massey Scholar
—Moises Salazar, Massey Scholar
4. Chicago is important to SAIC. It’s where we live, learn, work, make
connections, and draw inspiration. Because Chicago is our home,
we strive to ensure that local students have access to all that
SAIC has to offer. The College Arts Access Program (CAAP) helps
SAIC make this happen.
The College Arts Access Program (CAAP) provides access to
an advanced arts education for Chicago public high school
students, including many first-generation college attendees.
Admissions are based on merit and financial need. CAAP’s goal
is to help participants build the necessary skills to succeed in
higher education, and to further integrate Chicago’s diverse
community into SAIC.
CAAP participants receive support with portfolio preparation,
college application and career counseling, and financial
planning. SAIC undergraduate mentors engage with the students
as role models and campus liaisons. CAAP participants also have
the opportunity to live on SAIC’s campus during the summer,
giving them a preview of college life.
PROVIDE ARTS ACCESS
FOR CHICAGO STUDENTS
“Every Sunday
she’s excited to go to
class. She’s growing
and thinking outside
of the box.”
“CAAP expands your
definition of being
an artist. It opened
me up to new ways of
artmaking. It’s given
me a lot of different
techniques to use.”
“I thought it was
great that students
could see artists
working and what
their process is
like. It’s important
to see artists in
a professional
environment, not
just in a museum
setting.”
—Lawana Smith, CAAP parent
—Srinidi Gopal, CAAP participant
—Kristin Collins, CAAP parent
5. Corporate creativity drives advances in technology and business
in countless ways. SAIC relies on that corporate creativity to
ensure that students gain valuable real-world experience.
By acting as mentors, engaging with our students as guest
speakers, or participating in hands-on projects, our corporate
partners become influential role models who increase students’
awareness of various career paths.
There are many ways that you can have a positive impact
on our students. For example, CAAP encourages students to
explore career opportunities by connecting them with working
professionals. Students explore careers through lectures
by visiting professionals, studio projects, or field trips to the
workplace. These talented young people learn so much from
our corporate partners’ expertise and mentorship.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Artists play a key role in shaping community life. Their unique
perspective and cultural contributions enhance the places
where they live and work. SAIC has a long tradition of working
in communities throughout Chicago, providing a leading example
of the ways that artists can transform community life. A
new program developed by SAIC’s Office of Engagement is the
Homan Square Arts Initiative (HSAI), which establishes a new
arts hub on Chicago’s West Side.
HSAI is SAIC’s artist- and community-led arts outreach program
in North Lawndale that offers an array of youth courses and
workshops, neighborhood service days, and community design
projects. HSAI provides a variety of opportunities for you to
volunteer in the community and have a positive and lasting
impact on the lives of Chicago youth. Volunteer opportunities
with HSAI will begin in spring 2017.
Another way that corporate partners can transform students’
lives is through SAIC’s Shapiro Center for Research and
Collaboration, which supports faculty projects and sponsored
classes. Through these opportunities, our students gain real-world
experience working with professionals from a variety of fields.
TRANSFORM THE
LIVES OF STUDENTS
AND COMMUNITIES
6. Exclusive event with students, faculty, and SAIC President
One curator-led tour and discussion of selected
Sullivan Galleries exhibition
Invitations to a private event with visiting artists,
scholars, and distinguished guests
One-time use of Sullivan Galleries for a corporate gathering
(i.e., board meeting, retreat, training) for up to 100 people
Up to 10 reserved seats (with reservation) for
two Visiting Artists Program lectures
Logo featured on SAIC’s Corporate Partners website
Listing in SAIC’s Annual Report
Corporate Benefits
Employee Benefits
Recognition
$15,000 $10,000 $5,000$25,000
Collaborate with us as a corporate partner and have a significant impact on the lives of students.
As our partner, you can support scholarships and programs, sponsor classes or volunteer in the
classroom. By supporting our talented students today, you will advance the development of the
artists, designers, and creative leaders of the future.
JOIN THE SAIC COMMUNITY
7. Cheryl Russell
Executive Director of Corporate,
Foundation, Government, and
Civic Relations
116 South Michigan Avenue, 5th floor
Chicago, IL 60603
312.499.4187
crussell2@saic.edu
saic.edu/corporatepartners
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON HOW TO BECOME
AN SAIC CORPORATE
PARTNER, PLEASE
CONTACT:
