8 hours Ago By Abby Miller
After facing an impasse with its landlord, a nonprofit is now building what it says will be the first venue on Chicago’s North Side devoted to classical music. Access Contemporary Music broke ground on its Lake View location in December, and the venue is expected to open this year. The site, at 4116 N.
Clark St., is a former 7-Eleven that’s sat vacant for years. The nonprofit’s executive director, Seth Boustead, said 46th Ward Ald.
Angela Clay “went to bat” for the organization after Access Contemporary Music was unable to settle on lease term revisions with building owner Heidner Property Management Co. The company is linked to Illinois video gambling mogul Rick Heidner. Heidner Property told ACM after its impasse that it was always going to rent to them, according to Boustead.
The process of transforming the former convenience store into a hybrid music performance and education space has been going smoothly ever since. “They’ve been really, really easy to work with,” Boustead said of Heidner Property. “They waived several months of rent for us while we’re doing the build-out.
” ACM’s mission is to teach and make music accessible for all ages. The Lake View location will be the nonprofit’s fourth school, in addition to Avondale, Rogers Park and Ravenswood. A 3-D rendering of Access Contemporary Music’s Lake View venue, the Checkout.
Provided It believes the new location will offer something unique as a hybrid space — a concept the nonprofit hasn’t pursued before. The location will have four teaching rooms that can accommodate about 60 to 70 students, Boustead said, in addition to performance space and a bar. The venue, designed by Chicago-based JDJ Architects, will be called the Checkout, a nod to the building’s former life as a 7-Eleven, and doubles as part of ACM’s hopes for the establishment.
“Just check it out: Check out the music; check out of your life,” Boustead said. “What I’m hearing across the board from people right now is they’re overwhelmed. It’s not just politics — it’s everything.
” ACM hopes the intimate size of the venue will allow patrons to connect more with the music. Boustead said he believes people are hungry for in-person experiences and music can be a powerful medium. He said some people like to make an “annual pilgrimage” to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or a performance at the Lyric Opera House.
ACM hopes the Lake View venue will help make classical music more accessible for people in the community. Shows will be more intimate, with opportunities to talk to musicians after performances. There are also plans to host events like open mic and game nights.
“We want to have a year-round opportunity to present music to people — very well-prepared, well-rehearsed, well-performed music from all eras,” Boustead said. “Everything about it is just meant to kind of create community around music.” ACM wants to start teaching classes at the center by May and have a grand opening around September.
The nonprofit will be hiring at Checkout, Boustead said, including positions for musicians and teachers. The building’s redevelopment is being supported by a grant from the city’s Department of Planning and Development, which will cover up to $250,000. ACM is looking to match that value through possible state funding and individual donations.
It’s so far raised about $50,000, Boustead said..
