Logan Square Arts Foundation Launches Friends of Schools Initiative to Support Arts Education in Neighborhood Schools

First campaign partners with Friends of Logan Elementary to fund new ceramics kiln; donations matched up to $1,000

CHICAGO — The Logan Square Arts Foundation (LSAF) has launched a new initiative, Friends of Schools, to support arts and music education in neighborhood schools through collaborative fundraising and programming. The first partner in this initiative is Friends of Logan Elementary, which is leading a community fundraiser to purchase the school’s first ceramics kiln.

The campaign, hosted on the Give Butter platform, will strengthen hands-on arts instruction and expand creative opportunities for Logan Square Elementary students. LSAF is contributing planning, outreach, and promotional support. A local donor has pledged to match all contributions up to $1,000.

"This is exactly the kind of work the Logan Square Arts Foundation exists to support. We want to help create access to the arts as part of everyday life. Partnering with schools on projects like this kiln fundraiser is a step toward making that vision real in classrooms throughout the neighborhood."

– Geary Yonker, board president, Logan Square Arts Foundation

Friends of Schools is part of LSAF’s broader mission to expand year-round, community-based arts programming in Logan Square. The program works directly with parents and school groups to bring creative resources where they’re needed most.

According to Ingenuity, a nonprofit that tracks arts education in Chicago Public Schools, only 36 percent of CPS elementary schools met the district’s “Strong” or “Excelling” arts education benchmarks in the most recent reporting cycle. Access to dedicated arts instructors and materials remains inconsistent or absent in schools serving primarily low-income students. Nationally, data from the Brookings Institution shows that students who receive sustained arts instruction demonstrate significantly higher levels of empathy, civic engagement, and academic motivation.

LSAF’s initiative responds to these gaps by helping neighborhood schools build lasting infrastructure for arts education through local fundraising and collaboration. By providing planning, creative development, and promotional support, the foundation empowers schools and families to create more consistent, high-quality access to the arts.

"Art allows children to explore their ideas, build confidence, and express themselves in ways words can’t always capture. A kiln brings permanence to that process. It allows students to create something lasting, something they can hold and share, physical proof of their learning and resilience. That is a powerful tool for growth."

– Kate Gilbert, president, Friends of Logan Square Elementary

Parents have strongly supported the project, citing the academic and emotional benefits of sustained arts programming. According to the Arts Education Partnership, students involved in the arts are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and participate in math and science fairs. Research from the National Endowment for the Arts also shows that access to arts education is linked to improved school attendance, stronger social skills, and lower dropout rates.

At Logan Square Elementary, there is a need for creative outlets apparent. Families report that art classes help students manage stress, build confidence, and stay engaged throughout the school day.

"For my child, art class is where she feels most herself. It helps her manage her emotions and stay engaged throughout the day. A kiln will open up a whole new world for her and for many other children who thrive through creativity."

– Katie Ford, Logan Square Elementary parent

Parents and educators agree that a kiln will provide a long-term resource for students to explore ceramics, sculpture, and other forms of expression that are not currently possible with existing classroom materials. By creating permanent, tangible work, students gain a sense of accomplishment and a deeper connection to their own creativity.

LSAF and Friends of Logan Square Elementary are also contacting kiln manufacturers about potential sponsorship or additional matching funds. Future Friends of Schools projects will connect LSAF with more school communities working to strengthen the role of the arts in public education through local leadership and public support.

Student Artwork from Logan Square Elementary

These hand-crafted ceramic sculptures were created by students at Logan Square Elementary as part of their visual arts curriculum. The collection highlights the creativity and imagination of young artists working with limited materials. A kiln would allow them to fire and preserve their work permanently.