January 4th 2025.
In 2018, the FAME Center, located in the South Loop, opened its doors in a small space that founder Sheila Fortson affectionately referred to as "a broom closet." With just a handful of students and a piano, the nonprofit was off to a humble start. However, fast forward to present day and the FAME Center has grand plans to become a renowned destination for music and arts education in Chicago. Recently, they made a significant move by purchasing a 56,000-square-foot historic building, solidifying their commitment to the city and their mission.
One of the FAME Center's dedicated students, 14-year-old Matthew Thomas, vividly remembers their humble beginnings. He recalls taking lessons in that tiny space at Daystar, a private school in the South Loop. To see the center's growth and progress since then is nothing short of exhilarating for him. Matthew has been taking piano lessons for six years now, and he attributes his love and skill for the instrument to his time at the FAME Center.
"I've stuck with FAME because Ms. Sheila has always made me feel welcomed and supported, both in her company and in my musical journey," Matthew shared. Fortson, who not only founded the center but also serves as its executive director, has been a constant source of guidance and mentorship for him. "Her teaching has not only excelled my piano skills, but also helped me grow in other areas of my life," he added.
Three years ago, the FAME Center had to relocate due to an expansion at Daystar, and they found a new home on State Street. However, with their recent purchase of the historic building, the FAME Center intends to create a new identity for themselves as The South Loop Center for the Arts. This significant step is a testament to their dedication and determination to serve the community and provide accessible arts and music education to young people in underprivileged areas of Chicago.
The FAME Center's founder, Fortson, explained that their goal is to finalize the purchase in April and secure the necessary funds for the project. While they are already in the midst of fundraising, they still need an additional $3 to $5 million to cover the purchase price of the building. Including remodeling, permits, and inspection costs, the total cost of the project is estimated to be over $12.5 million. Part of this amount will hopefully come from a city grant that they are currently pursuing.
As a multidisciplinary nonprofit, the FAME Center offers a wide range of programs in music, visual art, theater, creative writing, and art therapy. Currently, they have around 100 participants, most of whom are between the ages of 4 and 14. Fortson proudly shared that their reach extends beyond the South Loop to students from the South and West sides and other areas of the city.
"We want to stay in the heart of Chicago because we want to make it easy for families to access our services and give students the opportunity to learn and grow through music and art," Fortson explained. She added that they especially want to reach students who may not feel like they belong in the downtown area and show them the joy and power of artistic expression.
One of the FAME Center's students, 13-year-old Mikayla Davis, has been taking violin lessons and participating in art therapy through the center for the past five years. After the loss of her father, she found solace and healing in the art therapy sessions. "FAME has helped me cope with my grief and has been a significant source of support in my life," Mikayla shared. Her mother, Monica Brown, also expressed gratitude for the center and Fortson's guidance in helping her daughter stay connected to the arts after such a traumatic experience.
"I often think about other children who may be going through similar hardships and how beneficial it is to have access to this type of therapy," Brown said. "FAME has given my daughter a platform to express her emotions in a positive and impactful way, and now more children will have the same opportunity." With their new building, the FAME Center hopes to continue making a positive impact on the lives of young people in Chicago and create a lasting legacy in the city's arts and music scene.
In 2018, the FAME Center was just a small operation run by founder Sheila Fortson out of a broom closet with a few students and a piano. However, Fortson had big dreams for the nonprofit and its potential impact on the Chicago community. Fast forward to present day, and FAME is now on the brink of becoming a major music and arts education landmark in the city after purchasing a 56,000-square-foot historic building.
One of FAME's first students, 14-year-old Matthew Thomas, remembers when the center was just renting a small space at a private school in the South Loop. He has been taking weekly piano lessons for six years and credits FAME for not only improving his piano skills, but also fueling his love for music. He attributes his dedication to the center to Fortson's welcoming presence and exceptional teaching style, which has also helped him excel in other areas.
After outgrowing their previous space, FAME moved to their current location on State Street about three years ago. However, when the building went up for sale in March, Fortson and her team saw an opportunity to secure a permanent home for the center. They decided to purchase the entire building and transform it into The South Loop Center for the Arts, a hub for music and arts education.
While the team is currently in the process of fundraising, they are determined to make the purchase and have set a goal to close on the building in April. The total cost for the project, including renovations and permits, is estimated to be over $12.5 million. FAME is also hoping to secure a grant from the city to help cover the purchase price.
Fortson emphasized that FAME is a multidisciplinary nonprofit that aims to make art and music education accessible to young people in underresourced communities in Chicago. They offer programs in music, visual art, theater, creative writing, and art therapy, with around 100 students currently participating. The center also serves students from various parts of the city, providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.
Thirteen-year-old Mikayla Davis is one of FAME's students who has benefitted greatly from their programs. She takes violin lessons and participates in virtual art therapy sessions once a week. For the past five years, FAME has helped her cope with the loss of her father and has been a constant source of support and growth in her life. Mikayla's mother, Monica Brown, expressed her gratitude for FAME and Fortson's impact on her daughter's life, highlighting the importance of art therapy for children who have experienced trauma.
Overall, FAME Center has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a broom closet. With their new building, they hope to continue their mission of providing quality arts and music education to the Chicago community, especially to those who may not have easy access to such opportunities. And as they expand their reach and impact, they will undoubtedly continue to touch the lives of many more young students, just like Matthew and Mikayla.
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