History of Arts and Culture in Evanston, Illinois

The overwhelming source of arts and culture in Evanston is Northwestern University. Northwestern began in with a meeting of the founders over a hardware store in Chicago in 1850. They wanted to establish a university in an area that was barely beyind the pioneering stage. They purchased land north of the city in what is now Evanston and opened the university in 1851. Evanston is named after one of those founders, John Evans.
The Block Museum of Art of Northwestern University began with a donation to the university by the Block family in 1980. The museum was named for the Blocks in 1998.
Other than Northwestern  University, the Evanston Arts Center was opened in 1929 by a group of civic leaders to further the cultural life of Evanston. It began in the basement of the public library, moved to an abandoned barber shop, and finally to its present location.
Another art museum in Evanston is the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian which was founded in 1997 to focus on the culture and history of Native Americans.
There are also a number of art and craft shops in Evanston.


The Beadshaper  will be presenting her handcrafted lampwork glass beads (including fashion fish and fashion flower beads) and handcrafted viking knit and bead crotchet jewelry at Ayla's Originals, at 1511 Sherman Ave in Evanston on Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7.