Stockyard Institute founding artist Jim Duignan (center) is also founder and chair of the Visual Art Education (VAE) Program at DePaul.
Stockyard Institute is an ongoing civic, artistic, and social practice project founded in 1995 by artist Jim Duignan in the Back of the Yards community of South Chicago. Duignan was influenced early by local activists and neighborhood artists, composers and poets, artist collectives, and teachers whose pedagogical approaches aligned with the issues of the community.
Stockyard Institute works deep inside Chicago communities on cooperative and shared ideas built from long term relationships through platforms ranging from small watt radio stations, publications, residencies, architectural interventions and built spaces, to curricular models, community performances, city wide programs, and public art.
For more information on Stockyard Institute, visit the official website at stockyardinstitute.org.
Stockyard Institute gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Weitz Family in establishing the Weitz Family Endowed Chair for Arts Education and providing pivotal support for the ongoing mission of Stockyard Institute. We also gratefully acknowledge the vision and generosity of the late Dr. John and Justina Tzeng. Their generosity has been instrumental in supporting initiatives of Stockyard Institute.
The support of the Weitz family and the Tzeng family extends to sustain the ongoing artistic and relational projects of Stockyard Institute across Chicago. From sonic experiments and public artworks, to studio workshops and radio broadcasts, they support diverse participants: including city youth, university students, neighborhood centers, teachers, artist collectives, and so many others, as we collaborate through exhibitions, publications, curriculum, sculptures, teaching, and residencies. Every pre-service teacher entering the College of Education, as well as our large network of alumni and friends will be advantaged, finding innovative methods to raise consciousness about problems, amplify student voice, and creatively build a more just and democratic society, together.
Support the work of the Stockyard Institute
Stockyard Institute at the College of Education is looking for new partnerships with individuals and organizations. From collaborating on a project to donating funds or in-kind donations of services or materials, the Institute appreciates all methods of involvement! Please contact Director Jim Duignan at
jduignan@depaul.edu to connect and collaborate.