“The National Museum of Mexican Art has received a $1 million grant to help its conversion of an old Chicago fire station into a youth arts center, the museum announced Tuesday.

“The money, from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, will be used to turn a decommissioned Little Village firehouse into a community arts center available for use by up to 300 teens and young adults as part of the museum’s ongoing Yollocalli Art Reach initiative.

“The firehouse at 2358 S. Whipple St. is Yollocalli’s second Little Village location. The museum is located in the Pilsen neighborhood.

“‘Yollocalli provides youth leadership and workforce development centered around the arts and grounded in youth voice,’ José Ochoa, president and CEO of the museum, said in a statement. ‘It is an honor to receive this grant from the McCormick Foundation to expand Yollocalli and help young people discover, grow and expand their perceptions of what is possible.’

“Work on the new arts center has already begun, and the total cost is estimated at about $4 million, according to the museum. The new venue is expected to open in August 2025.

“‘We are pleased to partner with the Museum to support young people in Little Village,” Timothy P. Knight, the McCormick Foundation’s president and CEO, said in a statement. (Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/22/24)

“‘The new Yollocalli center will create exciting opportunities for youth to explore their interests, nurture creative talents, and become confident leaders. The McCormick Foundation continues to invest in community centers, such as Yollocalli, to provide safe and enriching environments for youth and families.’

“After being vacant for more than a decade, a firehouse in Little Village is not only on the way to getting landmark status but is also expected to be transformed into a center for the community.

“Another part of the proposal is to landmark the building for its historical significance to Little Village.

“Ward Miller of Preservation Chicago said this would be a great opportunity.

“‘Landmarks are for everybody. And you know, it’s not just the big buildings and the churches, but buildings that are significant to the community offer a wonderful opportunity,’ Miller said.

“‘And we have very few Latinx landmarks in the Little Village and Pilsen community. But, you know, this really does address a segment of the population in the neighborhoods that are so important.”

“‘A number of fire stations across the city have been preserved in the past for their service to Chicagoans. This is a great step forward to preserving a great building,’ Miller said.” (Soto, WTTW Chicago, 10/19/23)

Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times and watch at WTTW Chicago

• National Museum of Mexican Art gets $1 million to help convert old firehouse into youth arts center, The money is coming from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Stefano Esposito, Chicago Sun-Times, 10/22/24
• Historic Little Village Fire Station on the Path to Receiving Landmark Status, Becoming Community Hub, Emily Soto, WTTW Chicago, 10/19/23