In Focus: The Chicago Freedom Movement & the Fight for Fair Housing

Discover more about the fight for fair housing in Chicagoland.
The Museum’s 2021 In Focus exhibition reflected on historical and contemporary responses to fair housing, beginning with the crucial Chicago Freedom Movement. The show sought to provide an understanding and context for this national issue that had roots in the Chicagoland area through a variety of photographic works, including featured work by activist and photographer Bernard Kleina with new work by our Teen Art Council and members of York Community High School’s Black Student Union. The exhibition will also included local responses, especially through maps, statistics, and stories provided by H.O.P.E., the National Public Housing Museum, History Makers, and other partnering organizations.
Generously sponsored by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation and David C. & Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation.
Learn more about the 2021 exhibit and accompanying installation There is Black Housing in the Future.
Now available: a free virtual tour for groups with added curriculum for educators. Learn more on our Education Tours webpage.
WTTW Chicago’s Angel Idowu interviews photographers Bernard Kleina and Vashon Jordan Jr. in Elmhurst Exhibit on Fair Housing Features Rare MLK Photos
NBC5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter explores our newest exhibition at the museum in Elmhurst Art Exhibition Details Fight for Equality in Housing in Chicago Area
ABC7 Chicago’s Jayme Nicholas interviews photographer Bernard Kleina in “Martin Luther King Jr. seen up close in rare color photos during Chicago visit”.
Fox32 Chicago’s Terrence Lee interviews Lisa Lee and John McKinnon about our program The Chicago Freedom Movement and the Radical King.
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