Community Building is a crucial part of our work at Walls Turned Sideways, and we are invested in building community relationships with our neighbors in Garfield Park. A big part of this means making our space as accessible as possible to residents and community groups in the neighborhood who need a place for meetings or events. By offering space and staff time to support community-driven work, even when its focus is not on issues of criminalization and incarceration or art, we believe we can build stronger solidarity across communities and concerns.
Interested in sharing space with us? Fill out this form to give us a better sense of what you are interested in hosting in our space. We will review the request and get back to you within two weeks to let you know if the request can be met.
More about our space!
Walls Turned Sideways is based in East Garfield Park in close proximity to the CTA Green Line along with Madison (20) and California (94) buses. Our address is 2717 W. Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612. Our facilities include a gallery space, kitchen, and art studio. In keeping with our goal of supporting formerly incarcerated people, loved ones, artists, activists, writers, and organizers WTS offers our space for events including workshops, book talks, presentations, art activities and more.
We ask all community members to commit to and uphold our Community Agreements in their use of our space —
- We operate with the principle that the struggle for justice must be done collaboratively and in community.
- We maintain that we are all knowledge holders and creators.
- We work with a deep respect for our bodies, our minds and each other.
- We actively listen with our hearts, and each other.
- We believe in the abundance of each other. Together, we have all we need.
Available Furniture and Equipment Includes —
Tables & Chairs:
(4) high-top rolling tables (6’x3’x37”), (2) 4’ folding tables, (6) 6’ folding tables, (1) small circle table (~capacity: 3 people), (12) backless stools (Height: 2’), (3) couches, (6) small white plastic stools, (6) white rotating chairs, (46) folding chairs, (1) arm chair, (10) floor cushions
Kitchen:
Walls Turned Sideways as a small kitchette with a full refrigerator (with freezer) and microwave. We do not have a stove or oven. Any food that needs to be kept warm will need alternative means of heating. Please bring your own items (i.e. cock pot, electric burners, sterno/catering set up, etc). Again, we recommend using Chicago Tool Library has coolers and other items should you need that for your event.
A/V Equipment:
Two ALTO Bluetooth speakers; one corded microphone; one microphone stand; projector with HDMI input; two projector screens.
WTS is available for community use on a sliding scale donation basis. We offer use of our space at a sliding scale rate that helps us cover the cost of utilities and properly compensate our team. When you contribute at a higher rate, you not only support our space but also increase our capacity to host others with less available funding (as individuals but also as coalitions, organizing groups, etc) and keep our programming free. We also ask that groups that share our space reflect on how they leave the space and depending on their capacity to clean-up after themselves (a team member is always present to support with this!) adjust their contribution accordingly.