Stony Island Arts Bank

An extraordinary and inspiring space! The Stony Island Arts Bank is beautifully curated, blending art, history, and culture in a truly unique way. Every corner holds something fascinating—whether it’s rare archives, striking exhibits, or thought-provoking installations. The staff are welcoming and passionate, making the visit even more engaging. A must-visit for anyone interested in art, culture, and the rich stories that connect them.

Theaster Gates has built an incredible exhibit and in his curated homage to the Johnson publishing company’s importance to Chicago and Black culture.

Went on a weekday afternoon. Great space, enjoyed the exhibits. DJ playing music was an unexpected surprise. Has a really nice reading room with some space to sit and work. Will definitely keep an eye on upcoming exhibits and look forward to using the reading room/work space.

A great place for an event. The home of the Johnson Publication Reference Library as well as the Godfather of House Music, Frankie Knuckles, his collection of vinyl records. Worth checking out.

Call ahead! The second floor, where Frankie Knuckles album collection is stored, was closed. Otherwise a really cool building, art work and people.

I love a refurb story and in this gem a but off of the beaten path, but near the site where the Obama Presidential Library will eventually be housed, you will find a site with huge Corinthian columns which leads you in to repository of some of the artifacts of the Johnson Publishing Company (which facing bankruptcy is alsp rumored to have its digital assets up for sale). Of most interest was an exhibit "The Obama Paintings" by Rob Pruitt which feature a painting of a scene for each day President Obama was in office hung in the main gallery space and throught the first floor. Each painting looks like an intermediate stage between the negative and the four color photo all in not-so-subtle tones of red, white and blue which once they come into focus feature some of the most iconic images and memorable momnets of the eight-year term. Many of the paintings were stacked because I dare say few museum spaces have enough room to display all of them at once (you can do the math of 8 years by 365 days). You can have fun seeing some of your favorite celebrities alongside the Obamas, now celebrities in their own right. On your way out be sure to stop by the very solemn Tamir Rice space.

I was the photographer recently at an event (Mirrors & Misconceptions) at the Stony Island Arts Bank and I was amazed at this beautiful gem located on the South Side of Chicago. I'm looking forward visiting more frequently.

Awesome afternoon (last Sundays, 2-6 pm) of bring-your-own-vinyl .... So much variety in music -- and in DJs, from beginners to sophisticates! Loved the drinks at the Johnson Lounge, walking through the downstairs gallery space. Even the bathrooms were very cool, built out with found and recycled materials. Very cool and fun. We'll be back for this event and others!

We came here to tour during the Chicago Open House Architectural tour. I have to say I was NOT familiar with this place, or recall being in there for an event. For south side art openings, Gallery Guichard is typically THE place to go, but they are in Bronzeville, and this is South Shore, another cool south side neighborhood. I lived as a kid in a building on Crandon, maybe 2.5 miles from the place. It's a great place to showplace art, receptions, film screenings, or book launches. If there was an upstairs, it was closed off. The contemporary art exhibit (by ANTHONY GALLERY) mixed nicely with the older photography. The art was edgy but 'child-friendly'. The pictures near the bar are of stylish men and women from 'back in the day' who could have been my mom, aunts, and their friends. You can still see some of the old structures along with new additions. For history buffs, check out the Mellon Archival Innovation Program, listed on the website. It seems to be a program dedicated to preserving our (Chicago, African-American) history with slides and old Ebony/Jet issues. Sounds fascinating!

Stony Island is a great cultural site located on the Southside. They have permanent and new exhibits all of which are worth checking out. Some of them include a collection of ebony magazines and black silent films. The building itself has a rich history so that alone is cool to check out and see how they have renovated and preserved it. Warning: if your sole purpose for coming is to take a picture of yourself in the room with all the books and the big comfy chair so you can pretend you're a model like the ones you saw on Instagram, think again. That room isn't typically set up for photoshoots and usually has books everywhere.

I attended an event at the Stony Island Arts Bank this month, and it was a beautiful building. This center contains an art gallery, a library, and various archives. It is very spacious and can hold a big crowd of people. It also had a full bar called the Johnson Room. The parking is street parking only, and it is in a rough neighborhood so be careful.

I been planning my visit for a while Then I get done this Sunday Free admission But they accept donations I take the tour And enjoy it then y have a drink Afther all I enjoy my visit My favorite the library The smell of those book Thanks Mars or max our guide

Came for a documentary film screening that was inspiring and a little sad. Beautiful space. It's tremendous seeing how the former bank was reimagined. As a native southsider folks like to malign, complain and fearmonger over a large portion of the city. It's neat to see that a Southside success is gaining literal international acclaim!! Eager to return.

I almost didn't write this review. I've been here three times. Twice on my own and once to meet a friend. I've taken the Saturday tour and spent at least 8 hours in total here. I didn't want to tell you that I love this place because I'm afraid attracting people. If you're looking for some place where you can gawk all day like yuppie hipsters in need of a cultural fix this isn't the place for you. The one star review left here will signify that. But if you are looking for a place rooted in a community to read, think, meet artistic and social people in a small conversational setting and learn about the depths of the black community in a very organic and experiential fashion this is where you go. This is where I go when I need to remember that intellectual and loving, Melaninated people looking to connect with the depths of their history and culture still exist. I've had that in the great conversations with almost all of the staff at this point. I'm surprised by it when the older woman interrupts my reading to tell me about a better book to read if I want to understand the concepts of AAVE and the different linguistic phenomena surrounding slave descendants and and their struggle to value their voice. And I know this is deep. It's a lot. That's my point. This place is deep. It means a lot. I personally don't think that there's any way on earth to put a black publishing company's entire library in a building and then let people in for free and do it wrong. I almost didn't tell you that. But I didn't want to be so selfish to try and keep this place for myself.

Shout out to Theaster Gates for preserving a piece of my hometown! Located in an old bank, the Stony Island Arts Bank is a mix use building, providing art, books and other items donated to the space for the general public to use. The first floor has revolving exhibits and on Fridays has a coffee and house music set that's pretty cool. Upstairs, where everyone gets all their photo ops from, house the Johnson Publishing companie's library. The Johnson Publishing company is a black owned publishing house that published Ebony and Jet magazines, publications that focused on black culture in a positive light. The books range from jewelry to Chicago to any and everything in between. You are free to look around, but if you want to touch the books or check them out (you can only read them at the Bank), you'll have to go through a very informative orientation, which happens every Saturday right after the free tours they offer. After you attend the orientation you can handle the books and read until your heart is content. The second floor also houses an extensive slide library, although very eurocentric, it was donated by the University of Chicago and has tons of glass slides. There are large tables and a light box to examine the slides further. The third floor is mixed use, a mix of offices and rooms. One room houses the record collection of Chicago's beloved Frankie Knuckles. It was really something to see this legend's records in person. This is such a treasure and in my old neighborhood. If you are nearby please check it out.

Went here for a Documentary on Whitney Houston . Had Friends that been there for Party's and Fund raisers Good parking lot and just a Great Spot to rent. Had to be Nosy and look around up and down stairs WOW Great spot. Seen some Books I wanted to check out. The Movie was Great but Sad and after they had a DJ playing Her Hits afterwards in room off the Bar that wasn't open and no Food . But that was ok can't wait to come back for one of there House Music Concert or anything they have.

Best and most kind service ever. Highly recommended place and definitely ask the story of how it all started!

Books for days! You have to pre arrange to do a photo shoot in the library. It is for exhibit when I went, not sure about other times. I went for a house music event. The music was great also had a movie playing in the movie theater.

A wonderful urban historical space. Very nice atmosphere. Attended a short Film Festival and Spoken Word event that was excellent! They have all kinds of functions. It's like a mini Du Sable museum.

This space is just starting up but I see it as a great venue for the arts and performances of all sorts. I first visited on 1-27-16 a Wednesday for Carlos Bunga featuring Black Monks of Mississippi. It was like a art exhibit accompanied by live band and theatrical performance. It was nice, my friends and I really enjoyed it. There was wine and beer and everything was free. I definitely see myself going back for other events there. The staff did let us know that they have live jazz every Thursday with wine and beer from 6p-7p. I intend to go back and check the jazz out one Thursday soon.

Love the vibe here along with the art pieces displayed. Plenty of events take place here such as panel discussion , small parties and throwback movie screenings Cool staple in the community.

Not a welcoming place. When I went with 2 friends yesterday, there was no one to greet you or explain the concept of this place when you arrived at the main door, just some literature. There was apparently only one art exhibit to see at the moment, the Johnson library and an extensive slide collection. I understand they seem to be just getting started, and that's fine. However, the staff is less than pleasant. My friends and I entered an unmarked space with an open door on the second floor. We were told by a hostile security guard that we had to leave the space, as it was a private office. On the third floor, we entered the Reading Room. When we took a book off the shelf to look at, we were discouraged by a yet another hostile staffer from looking at the book, told to be careful with the book, and watched until we put it back! I don't really know what Theaster Gates intended for this space when he started it, but some work could be done to make it welcoming and relevant to the general public. What are they trying to accomplish with their upscale, exclusive attitude? Do you want the public to enjoy the works and items you are presenting? If not, then make it a private club for intellectuals. The Stony Island Arts Bank could take a lesson from the Ed Paske Art Center in Jefferson Park. That is a tiny, private museum that is very welcoming and staffed with friendly, informative people.

Great space. Glad we visited. Powerful positive energy. Would love to go back for other events. It's great when thoughtful people get together to do something meaningful and helpful to others.

I gave it a 4 only because the library is very impressive however, the staff was very unfriendly and came across as intimidating. I was advised to be able to view any of the books you had to do a orientation on Saturdays or Wednesdays. There should have been someone at the door to great arrivals and advised them of the do's and don'ts.