The Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (CAIC) is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating vocal chamber music, art song repertoire, and collaborative performance through immersive concerts, interdisciplinary educational programs, and partnerships with leading artists and cultural institutions across the Midwest. Founded in 2010 by tenor Nicholas Phan, pianist Shannon McGinnis, and administrator Emily Ellsworth, CAIC bridges classical traditions with contemporary innovation, fostering artistic excellence and accessibility for diverse audiences.

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Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago

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Mission & Vision

CAIC’s mission centers on redefining the role of art song and vocal chamber music in modern culture by curating boundary-pushing performances, nurturing emerging talent, and commissioning new works that reflect global perspectives. The organization envisions a world where collaborative music-making transcends barriers, inviting listeners to engage deeply with storytelling through voice and instrumentation.

Core Programs & Offerings

• Collaborative Works Festival: An annual flagship event featuring week-long performances, workshops, and lectures. The festival showcases curated programs blending classic compositions with world premieres, often highlighting underrepresented voices and thematic narratives.
• Artist Residencies & Masterclasses: Multi-day residencies with internationally acclaimed artists, offering public performances and educational sessions at venues like the University of Chicago and DePaul University. Past residencies include collaborations with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and composer Jake Heggie.
• New Music Initiatives: A commitment to expanding the art song canon through commissions from composers such as Carlos Simon and Reena Esmail. Premieres are integrated into CAIC’s concert seasons, ensuring fresh material for audiences and performers alike.
• Community Engagement: Free and low-cost programming, including neighborhood concerts, school workshops, and virtual recitals, designed to democratize access to high-caliber artistic experiences.

Artistic Philosophy

CAIC emphasizes collaboration as both methodology and ethos, uniting singers, pianists, composers, and instrumentalists in egalitarian creative processes. Programs often explore intersections between music, literature, and social themes, such as identity, migration, and resilience. This approach has led to partnerships with groups like the Poetry Foundation and Art Institute of Chicago, enriching performances with cross-disciplinary depth.

Education & Mentorship

Beyond public performances, CAIC invests in pedagogy through:

• Young Artist Program: A competitive fellowship offering mentorship, performance opportunities, and career development for early-career musicians.
• University Partnerships: Custom workshops and masterclasses for students at institutions including Northwestern University and Roosevelt University, focusing on interpretation, collaboration, and career sustainability.
• Digital Resources: Archival recordings, livestreamed events, and educational toolkits accessible globally, extending CAIC’s reach beyond physical venues.

Recognition & Impact

Since its inception, CAIC has garnered acclaim for revitalizing art song’s relevance, earning features in The Chicago Tribune, Opera News, and BBC Music Magazine. The organization’s innovative programming has attracted grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council, underscoring its role as a cultural linchpin. By merging tradition with experimentation, CAIC continues to shape Chicago’s arts landscape while inspiring global conversations about the power of collaborative music.

For updated event schedules, ticketing, and ways to support their mission, visit caichicago.org.

Collaborative Works Festival

• Annual Festival of Vocal Chamber Music: A week-long event featuring curated performances, workshops, and panel discussions. Programs blend classical art song, contemporary premieres, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Duration: 7–10 days, typically held each fall. Structure includes evening concerts at venues like the Poetry Foundation or Art Institute of Chicago, daytime masterclasses, and composer-led talks. Outcomes include audience exposure to rare works, fostering dialogue between artists and attendees, and premiering 2–3 commissioned pieces annually.

Artist Residency Programs

• Visiting Artist Residencies: Multi-day engagements with internationally recognized vocalists, pianists, and composers. Recent examples include residencies with mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor and pianist Myra Huang. Duration: 3–5 days. Structure combines public recitals, closed-door coaching sessions for emerging artists, and school outreach. Outcomes include skill development for local musicians and unique performances of repertoire like Schubert’s Winterreise or newly commissioned cycles.
• Ensemble-in-Residence Initiatives: Year-long partnerships with vocal ensembles, such as the Grant Park Chorus or Fifth House Ensemble. Structure includes collaborative concerts, educational workshops, and joint fundraising efforts. Outcomes feature interdisciplinary projects, such as music-theater hybrids or multimedia performances.

Education & Professional Development

• Young Artist Fellowship: A 9-month program for early-career singers and pianists. Includes monthly coaching sessions, performance opportunities in CAIC’s mainstage concerts, and career guidance. Applicants undergo a competitive audition process. Outcomes: Fellows build professional networks, develop recital programs, and gain exposure to commissioning processes.
• University Masterclass Series: Held quarterly at partner institutions like DePaul University and Roosevelt University. Structure: 3-hour sessions where students perform for and receive feedback from CAIC-affiliated artists. Focus areas include diction, collaborative piano techniques, and stage presence. Outcomes: Student participants refine technical skills and gain insights into professional artistry.

New Music & Commissioning Projects

• Composer Commissioning Program: Annual initiative to expand art song repertoire. CAIC commissions 1–2 new works per season from composers like Stacy Garrop or Shawn E. Okpebholo. Duration: 12–18 months from commission to premiere. Structure includes workshops with CAIC artists, public readings, and full premieres during the Collaborative Works Festival. Outcomes: Enrichment of the vocal chamber music canon with works addressing themes like social justice or cultural heritage.
• Digital Premiere Series: Launched in 2021, this program streams world premieres of art songs on CAIC’s website and YouTube. Duration: 15–20 minute films released quarterly. Structure involves filming at Chicago studios with post-production narrative commentary by composers. Outcomes: Global access to new works and archival preservation of performances.

Community Engagement & Accessibility

• Neighborhood Concerts: Free performances in Chicago’s underserved communities, hosted at libraries, community centers, and parks. Duration: 60–75 minute programs offered 4–6 times annually. Structure includes post-concert Q&As and partnerships with local nonprofits. Outcomes: Increased access to classical music for audiences with financial or mobility barriers.
• School Partnerships Program: Tailored workshops for K–12 students, focusing on vocal music and poetry. Duration: 2–3 classroom sessions per partnership. Structure includes interactive singing exercises, lyric-writing activities, and student performances. Outcomes: Youth engagement with art song as a medium for self-expression.
• Pay-What-You-Can Digital Subscriptions: Sliding-scale access to CAIC’s concert livestreams and video archives. Duration: Annual subscription with monthly content updates. Structure: Subscribers choose pricing tiers from $0 to $150. Outcomes: Removal of economic barriers to high-quality artistic content.

Legacy & Archival Projects

• Oral History Initiative: Documenting the stories of Chicago-based collaborative pianists and singers through video interviews. Duration: Ongoing since 2018. Structure: Interviews conducted biannually, archived on CAIC’s website. Outcomes: Preservation of institutional knowledge and mentorship resources for future artists.
• Score Publication Series: Print and digital distribution of commissioned works through partnerships with music publishers. Duration: 6–12 months post-premiere. Structure: Engraved scores available for purchase, with perusal copies accessible free online. Outcomes: Increased performance opportunities for commissioned works globally.

For current program dates, application deadlines, and partnership inquiries, visit caichicago.org/programs.

Contact CAIC:

COLLABORATIVE ARTS INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO