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info@chiarts.org
773-534-9710 (Phone)
Job Inquiries
recruiting@chiarts.org
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admissions@chiarts.org
Current Student Inquiries
mainoffice@chiarts.org
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For attendance matters – attendance@chiarts.org
*More pressing matters may be escalated to ChiArts’ Executive Director, Principal, Assistant Principal, and Artistic Director as needed.
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) School Board is proud to announce the appointment of Tina Boyer Brown as ChiArts Executive Director. As Executive Director, Ms. Boyer Brown will head the school’s leadership team, overseeing all programs and operations and serving as the school’s chief spokesperson. She will be responsible for financial management, annual and strategic planning, board and community relations, and fostering collaboration across academic and arts programs. In announcing Ms. Boyer Brown’s appointment, School Board Chair Duffie Adelson shares, “We are delighted that Tina Boyer Brown has agreed to take on this important new role. Tina’s passion for the arts, dedication to our school, and commitment to our scholar-artists and to ChiArts’ values will be tremendous assets as she leads us toward a strong and vibrant future.”
Ms. Boyer-Brown’s appointment successfully concludes a nationwide search conducted with the assistance of Kittelman and Associates, who specialize in nonprofit leadership. The ChiArts School Board Executive Search Committee, chaired by Duffie Adelson, included board members Carlos Azcoitia, Warren Chapman, Peter Fidler, Karen Fishman, Bill Gerstein, and Cynthia Plouché.
Ms. Boyer Brown shares, “I am thrilled to be entrusted with ChiArts’ leadership. I sought this job because I believe deeply in the school’s mission and in students’ capacity to achieve at high levels in both the arts and academics. I look forward to working with all members of the ChiArts community to ensure that our school can continue to thrive.” Ms. Boyer Brown begins as Executive Director on July 1.
The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) School Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Pavielle Driver as Principal. Ms. Driver is currently serving as Resident Principal at Chicago Public School’s Air Force Academy High School, and will begin at ChiArts on June 1, 2023. We thank Ms. Cruz for her contributions as Interim Head of School & Principal during the past two school years, and wish her the best in future endeavors. As May 19 is Ms. Cruz’s last day, ChiArts Assistant Principal Dr. McLeary will assume administrative responsibilities for ChiArts until the arrival of Ms. Driver.
When asked about her excitement for ChiArts, Ms. Driver shared, “I am a proud native of Racine, Wisconsin currently residing in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. I am blessed to be the Mother of two wonderful boys, Damien and Gunnar and the proud chosen Godmother of Laila Sheree and Carter Clay. As a young girl I found a love for music, dance, and singing that continues to be a light for me daily. Unfortunately, I had no access to an arts conservatory but fortunately enough I was able to engage in the arts through community partnerships. As an educator, I’ve always been passionate about the quality and equity of education provided to all students. Because of this, ChiArts sparked my interest as it is a unique place that would allow me to increase student achievement and foster students’ love for the arts through academics and arts integration.”
Ms. Driver has earned two Master’s degrees: one in Administrative Leadership from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Master’s in Special Education from University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and is a proud New Leaders Aspiring Principals Program Fellow.
Thank you to the ChiArts School Board Principal Search Committee, led by school board members Janette Cortes-Duewel and Bill Gerstein, along with current ChiArts educators, scholar-artists, and parent committee members. We warmly welcome Ms. Driver to the ChiArts community!
ChiArts parents/guardians! On Tuesday, April 18 ChiArts will administer PSAT testing to 9th and 10th graders ONLY. Academic classes are canceled for all other grade levels. Conservatory classes begin at 2 PM.
For any questions or concerns, contact Assistant Principal, Dr. McLeary.
Parent teacher conferences will take place on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM (there will be a break between 3:30-4:00 PM). We will be offering virtual appointments for parents/guardians, but all parents/guardians are welcome to attend in person. Every parent/guardian must make an appointment with a teacher they would like to meet with. ChiArts recommends to prioritize two or three teachers.
To set up an appointment with each staff member, click our newsletter featured here.
We look forward to meeting with all our amazing families!
The ChiArts Production Department is excited to announce a full slate of shows for the 2022-23 season. The Creative Writing Conservatory kicked off the year with the release of ChiArts Writes: Volume 7 featuring original works of poetry and prose, and the School’s first Fall Festival featured the works of students across multiple conservatories. Later this season be sure to catch ChiArts’ own spin on the classic ballet The Nutcracker, an interpretation of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play In the Red and Brown Water, the return of First Year, First Look featuring all conservatory first-year students, student-produced cultural showcases, and so much more!
Download the 2022-23 ChiArts production calendar.
ChiArts is thrilled to announce Lauren Wells-Mann as the new Theatre Department Head! Ms. Wells-Mann is a licensed Theatre educator with a strong background in Theatre education, leadership, and as an actor, director, dancer, and choreographer. Ms. Wells-Mann began her leadership at ChiArts on June 27, 2022 and shares, “ChiArts is an amazing institution that I have admired for years. I am so grateful for the opportunity to add to the tradition of excellence and serve students in their quest for success in the world of Theatre. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year that I anticipate will be one of the best years yet!”
Lauren Wells-Mann is a proud company member with MPAACT, where she had the pleasure of directing the following productions: Mother of the Dark Water (Jeff Nominee for Best Ensemble, Black Excellence Nominee for Best Production and Best Direction), By Association by Shepsu Aakhu (Black Excellence Nominee for Best Production) and various podcast plays. Assistant Director credits include: Upstate by Aaron Todd Douglass, directed by Carla Stillwell and Crowns by Regina Taylor, directed by Chuck Smith. Mrs. Wells-Mann holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theater/Acting from Columbia College Chicago and a Masters in Secondary Education from University of Phoenix. She began her professional acting career with Eta Creative Arts Foundation. It was here that Lauren had the pleasure of working with esteemed directors such as Ilesa Duncan, Kemati Porter, Runako Jahi, and Cheryl Lynn Bruce. She has also performed with companies such as Lookingglass Theatre Company, Black Ensemble, MPAACT, Harlem Theater Company, Healthworks Theater Company, and Victory Gardens to name a few. Lauren also directed and choreographed for Eta’s summer program, Chicago on the Nile for 3 years, Black Lives Black Words – Chicago and 20% Theater Company, Perceptions Theatre, and Griot Theatre Collective. Lauren attributes her directing prowess to the tutelage of Darcelle Williams, Cheryl Frazier, and Carla Stillwell.
In addition to these accolades, Mrs. Wells-Mann has been coaching competitive acting and speech events for the Illinois High School Association for 19 years. Under her direction, students have won numerous state and national championships in various acting and public speaking activities. Lauren Wells-Mann believes in the power of the arts and the importance of BIPOC artists having autonomy over their own narratives; it is a mission to which she is deeply committed.
We’re excited to welcome all scholar-artists and staff back to Augusta Boulevard. Below is our school-wide calendar for the upcoming year. Our production calendar will be released this fall, stay tuned!
2022-2023_ChiArtsSchoolCalendar