In the heart of Calumet Heights, a dream is unfolding, one that will rewrite the cultural landscape of Chicago's South Side. The Mayfair Arts Center project, which is backed by Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) and pegged to receive $99,750 grant from the Trust’s Pre-Development Fund, is set to welcome a new era of growth and artistry in the neighborhood.
Founded in 1957 by the iconic Chicago tap dancer and choreographer Tommy Sutton, the Mayfair Academy has been synonymous with dance education for generations. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dance institution closed its doors. CHRP, created in 1988 by Lane Alexander and the late Kelly Michaels, answered that call with an ambitious plan to develop a new home for both the Mayfair Academy legacy and CHRP's mandate to foster percussive dance education, career guidance, and business development services for independent artists and small arts-based nonprofits.
In Calumet Heights, @chicagotap is developing and expanding its new home, which will be called the Mayfair Arts Center. In 2022, the project received a $99,750 grant from @ChiTrust's Pre-Development Fund. #Chicago #Philanthropy #NeighborhoodInvestment https://t.co/f9sFLzFJ5G
— The Chicago Community Trust (@ChiTrust) September 25, 2023
A collaborative endeavor between CHRP, the Sutton family, and Peggy Sutton, who took over the Academy after her father's semi-retirement in 1978, strives to forge a space that encapsulates the artistic soul of Calumet Heights. Located in the former Fine Arts Building at 87th Street and Bennett Avenue, the Mayfair Arts Center (MAC) envisions a multi-purpose community cultural center designed to engage and inspire residents and visitors of all ages.
Aspiring to be an anchor in the community, MAC intends to offer courses in music, dance, digital recording, culinary arts, and feature a small theater among other artistic spaces. CHRP Artistic Director Jumaane Taylor aptly described MAC's future influence on the community, saying, "The Mayfair Arts Center is like water in the desert, especially for Calumet Heights… This is a safe space where we can grow and feel comfortable, but it’s also a space for the neighborhood to learn high-quality art forms."
By rejuvenating the South Side's artistic legacy, MAC could potentially ignite further economic activity, stimulating growth and investment in the area. The Trust's Pre-Development Fund grant has not only provided the project with a jumpstart but also cemented its credibility among future donors and artists. Groundbreaking for the MAC will commence in the fall of 2024 and is slated for a grand opening in September 2025.
