Frequently Asked Questions



Why does the Old Town School need a new facility?
  • The School is at full capacity during peak hours and cannot meet ongoing public demand.
  • Dance programs have become enormously popular and an integral part of the musical experience. Our current dance rooms are poorly configured for the diversity of styles we offer.
  • Current facilities lack the necessary sound engineering for percussion and electronic instrument classes.
  • The School needs a small, flexible performance space to expand programming options.

What will the new building achieve in the long run?
  • Expanded opportunities to teach and celebrate community arts, achieved through the addition of several new classrooms and flexible spaces.
  • Increased programming related to culturally specific art forms within the School's roster of accredited music, dance, theater, and arts classes to more fully reflect our mission.
  • New access to gathering, teaching, and practice spaces for various ethnic-based arts and community groups.

What features will this new building have?
  • 150-seat flex-use space convertible to classroom, community area, performance or dance hall.
  • 3 large dance studios equipped with sprung floors and 17-acoustically engineered classrooms.
  • Projected LEED-Gold green technology and materials for low-impact, sustainable operations.
  • Accessible features for a "strollers to walkers" approach to accommodate diverse needs.

When will it be built?
Construction is underway with Grand Opening events scheduled for January 2012.
How much will it cost?
$18,000,000. Expenses include land acquisition, construction and contingencies, architects, LEED certification, fundraising and new program investments.
How are parking issues being addressed?
The Old Town School, the Alderman's office, the Chamber of Commerce and other partners are actively working together to create long term parking strategies that will benefit both local businesses and residents. This is a community-wide issue that requires community-wide solutions. As the project moves forward, more information about community meetings and other decisions pertaining to parking issues will be made available through the Old Town School and Alderman's office.
How can I get involved?
Donations are appreciated in any amount, but we ask you to consider the size and scope of this project and what it will mean for you, your friends and family, and for the city of Chicago. You can make a one-time gift at any amount or set up a sustaining gift where payments can be stretched out over months and years. Click here to donate now.
May I gift my gift over time?
Yes! You can set up a sustaining gift where payments can be stretched out over months and years. An examples of a sustaining gift is: $25 per month for 2 years = $600 total for the campaign. Click here to see our Sustaining Gift options.
May I give a gift other than cash?
Yes! If you have already made a donation to the School's Capital Campaign, consider asking your employer if they have a charitable donation matching program. Many companies match their employees' gifts to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations such as The Old Town School. Contact your company's human resources or public affairs office to inquire about how to make your donations go even farther in supporting the Old Town School of Folk Music (FEIN# 36-2373635).
The Old Town School of Folk Music also accepts gifts in stock as well. Donations of securities are a great way to donate to the School. Publicly traded securities that are actively traded on recognized markets and other readily marketable securities, including bonds and mutual funds, may be accepted by the School. Securities donated to the School will, in general, be sold as soon as possible. Commonly traded stocks and mutual funds may be transferred electronically to:
Chase Investment Services
Old Town School of Folk Music
Account# 73746458
DTC# 0352

For stock gift in certificate form or mutual funds that are not commonly traded, please contact Abby Csanda at 773.751.3365 or via email at acsanda@oldtownschool.org.
May I support a particular aspect of the campaign?
Donations directly support the expenses of the entire project, but your gift can be recognized through naming opportunities on particular aspects of the building features, such as classrooms, stairs, and even seats in the new music and dance hall.
What are the naming / recognition opportunities?
All gifts of $2,500 or above will be permanently recognized in the expanded facility. We have multiple naming opportunities for classrooms and public spaces starting a $5,000. Click here to see available naming opportunities.

Subscribe to Old Town School's email list

Donate Now to support the Old Town School

OLD TOWN SCHOOL BLOGS

BAU'S BLAUG

The latest news from the Big Cheese - Executive Director, Bau Graves

Paul Tyler convenes

FIDDLE CLUB of the WORLD

the Chicago Chapter

ON THE ROAD

Letters home from Old Town School adventures