Our overall Community Partnership model is principally rooted in building authentic and mutually beneficial relationships and bringing Steppenwolf programming outside of our theater walls. The central mission of our Community Partnerships aims to provide no-cost, barrier-free programming and establish long-term partnerships with community organizations working to empower Chicagoland youth through the arts.

For our 2023-2024 season, we piloted a partner-in-residence model. An intentional year-long partnership that is mutually beneficial for each organization. Organizations have access to various Steppenwolf resources, such as The Loft, our Education Center on our Halsted campus with three classrooms, discounted tickets, and more. Steppenwolf and the partner-in-residence decide what the yearlong partnership looks like, what programming to collaborate on, and more! Check out our first partner-in-residence:

826CHI

Longtime Steppenwolf community partner 826CHI, evolved their partnership in this new model. 826CHI hosted weekly staff meetings, and board retreats at Steppenwolf’s THE LOFT space, got access to Steppenwolf productions, and collaborated with Steppenwolf Education + Engagement staff on programming with Steppenwolf's Young Adult Council which will lead to a publication of teen writing and artmaking around Steppenwolf's season theme curated by our Teen Curators.