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OH Art Foundation

About

ABOUT US

OH Art Foundation celebrates diversity through accessible art and cultural programs that connect artists, youth, and community partners across generations. We amplify underrepresented voices and foster a deeper understanding of diverse cultures through shared creative experiences.

Founded in 2013 by visual artist and arts educator InJung Oh (MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago), OH Art Foundation (OHAF) is a Chicago-based nonprofit rooted on the city’s South Side—an area historically under-resourced and disinvested, with limited access to high-quality arts programming. OH Art Foundation was rooted within the Zhou B Art Center, aligned with its mission, “Art for People.”

OHAF operates as an art accelerator, creating a new model that celebrates diversity by exploring the dynamic relationships between art, community, business, and organizations. Working closely with artists and creative “pollinators,” OHAF fosters collaboration, cross-sector exchange, and innovative cultural production that reflects the lived experiences of the communities it serves.

From its early work providing culturally inspired art education for children and youth in 2013, to highlighting emerging and underrepresented artists across disciplines in 2019, to producing large-scale, multidisciplinary cultural festivals since 2023, OHAF has continually evolved as a platform for connection and creativity. These initiatives bring together artists, scholars, cultural organizations, local businesses, and residents to co-create vibrant, inclusive cultural spaces.

Recognized as a leading organization in Culture Forward Chicago for its contributions to the histories and cultures of communities of color, OHAF remains committed to building accessible, nontraditional spaces that center cultural heritage, everyday creativity, and collective expression. Guided by values of equity, collaboration, and cultural preservation, OHAF reimagines where and how American art is made, experienced, and shared.

OUR MISSION + VISION

Our Mission

To strengthen communities through an interconnected ecosystem of accessible arts education, professional exhibitions, and intercultural programs. By connecting artists, youth, and local partners, we create "full-circle" spaces for dialogue and creative learning that amplify underrepresented voices and center lived experience.

Our Vision: The "Open Horizon"

OH Art Foundation envisions a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape where every community member has access to meaningful artistic experiences and diverse voices are celebrated across generations.

Rooted in the concept of the "Open Horizon," we inspire individuals to expand their creative perspectives by engaging with art from diverse traditions. By fostering the courage to explore beyond familiar boundaries, we empower communities to dismantle barriers, deepen mutual understanding, and imagine new possibilities—contributing to a more connected, compassionate, and equitable world.

"Open your horizons and give a creative bounce to your life."

-InJung Oh, Founder.

OUR CURRENT

Exhibitions

2nd Floor Gallery

OUR OFFERINGS

What We Do

Education

Arts Education: Cultivating the Next Generation

At the OH Art Foundation, we believe that exposing youth to diverse cultures from an early age is vital to creating a healthy, compassionate society. By offering students various means to explore and express their unique identities, we enhance the social and emotional development necessary for lifelong success. Our education department serves as a foundational "entry point" in our full-circle ecosystem, where creative learning directly feeds into our broader mission of intergenerational and cross-cultural exchange.

Our weekly K-12 group classes and immersive summer camps offer hands-on art-making opportunities rooted in the exploration of global traditions and diverse cultural contexts. We celebrate this year-round journey with our Annual Student Art Exhibition in December—a signature event that brings families and community members together to honor the creative growth of our youth.

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Exhibitions/Events

Exhibitions & Festivals: A Platform for Connection

We are committed to bringing high-quality art experiences to the community while providing essential platforms for underrepresented and marginalized artists to showcase their work. As a key part of our "full-circle" ecosystem, our annual exhibitions and festivals celebrate diversity and inclusivity through cross-cultural dialogue and intergenerational exchange.

Our signature seasonal programming—including our Black History, Women’s History, Asian Pacific American, and Latinx Festivals, alongside our foundational OH Art Family Month—serves as a bridge between professional practice and community celebration. These festivals include not only visual art exhibitions, but also live multidisciplinary performances in music, dance, and collaborative media. We believe that these intersections bring the community together by fostering a deep understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and shared lived experiences.

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Incubation

Artist & Curator Incubation: Empowering the Professional Journey

Launched in 2019, the OH Art Foundation Incubation Initiative provides the essential professional infrastructure for creative talent to transition into the global art world. While the program is rooted in the creative energy of the Zhou B Art Center, its mission is independent: to dismantle the barriers that prevent underrepresented voices from entering and thriving in the professional industry.

This initiative began with a dedicated, intimate studio space—an "additional room" of our own that we transformed to meet the urgent needs of the artists. By providing this vital physical anchor alongside high-visibility curated exhibitions, the Incubation program serves as a critical bridge in our full-circle ecosystem.

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Our Team