Rebuild Foundation

Rebuild Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by artist and activist Theaster Gates in 2010, is based in Chicago, Illinois, and dedicated to revitalizing underserved communities through arts and cultural initiatives. Their overarching mission is to transform neglected spaces into vibrant cultural hubs, fostering community engagement, and promoting social and economic equity. Rebuild Foundation operates on three core values: black people matter, black spaces matter, and black objects matter. They aim to showcase the transformative potential of innovative and entrepreneurial arts and cultural endeavors that others may have overlooked or dismissed.

The organization's projects are focused on supporting artists and strengthening communities by offering free arts programming, creating new cultural amenities, and developing affordable housing, studio, and live-work spaces. Notable examples of their work include the restoration of historic buildings like the Stony Island Arts Bank, the Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative, and the Black Cinema House. These revitalized spaces serve as platforms for exhibitions, performances, workshops, and community gatherings, fostering dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Through their comprehensive approach, Rebuild Foundation leverages the power and potential of communities, buildings, and objects that have been marginalized or underestimated. By providing access to arts and culture, they strive to demonstrate the profound impact such initiatives can have in empowering communities and promoting positive social change.