Phone: (312) 344-8850
FAX: (312) 344-8015

URL: www.colum.edu/ocap
Email: ngarneu@colum.edu

Office of Community Arts Partnerships,Columbia College Chicago
600 S. Michigan
Chicago, IL 60605

The Office of Community Arts Partnerships (OCAP) was established in May 1998 to assist Columbia College in creating a formal infrastructure and system of communication to coordinate and articulate all community-based programs that serve the urban mission of the college. The OCAP staff designs, enables and facilitates a range of community arts projects and educational programs. OCAP’s programmatic approach fosters three major initiatives: Community-Based Partnerships (Urban Missions, Youth Arts Impact Project); Cultural Partnerships (DanceAfrica Chicago); and School-Based Partnerships (GEAR UP, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, CPS Fine & Performing Arts Magnets Project). OCAP continues to successfully link the artistic resources of the college with the larger community in unique partnerships that have forged a blueprint for collaborative program building.

OCAP’s approach to partnering has no direct precedent. With equal investment on all sides, partnerships are built on a firm belief in reciprocity and sustainability, working together through a two-way exchange of ideas, techniques and resources to accomplish the goals of each partner. From the outset, OCAP’s goal was to be one of the nationally recognized models for service and community-based learning. Selection of artistic talent is made by OCAP’s Executive and Artistic Directors.