The Chicago Loop Alliance has announced the formation of the Loop Arts District, a coalition involving nearly 90 arts organizations. The initiative aims to establish the Loop as a leading cultural destination and was revealed during the alliance’s annual meeting on February 27, which brought together business owners and stakeholders to discuss the future of downtown Chicago.
As part of its new direction, the alliance confirmed that Sundays On State, a block party-style event series that began in 2021 and attracted over 1.5 million attendees, will not return in 2026.
The Loop Arts District plans to introduce new programs and branding for the area. In collaboration with Sound Diplomacy, an arts consultancy firm, and Arts Alliance Illinois, the group is also working on an economic impact study focused on local arts activity.
Ariella Gibson, director of marketing and communications for the Loop Alliance, said: “The fall programming will be aligned with a bigger unveiling of the [arts] district as a destination.”
According to the alliance’s latest annual report, pedestrian activity in the Loop reached 84 percent of pre-pandemic levels last year. The district also saw 25 new businesses open during that period.
Michael Edwards, president and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance, stated: “Chicago Loop Alliance remains committed to what we do well — advocating for the betterment of the Loop, beautifying and enhancing the district as a destination and providing innovating programming to attract investment and activity.” Edwards is scheduled to step down at the end of March.
In addition to promoting an arts presence in the neighborhood, efforts are underway to fill vacant storefronts by supporting locally owned businesses on State Street through an $800,000 grant.
The Chicago Loop Alliance has also received a $1.1 million grant from the Department of Family and Support Services. This funding will allow expansion of social services outreach across more areas this spring. Last year alone, more than 4,000 social service referrals were made and nearly 300 hygiene kits distributed by alliance staff.
With these funds, three additional social service ambassadors will be hired so coverage can extend throughout all parts of the Loop as well as nearby neighborhoods north and west.
“It will help us care for those that need social services,” Gibson said. “If the Loop, and particularly State Street, are clean, safe and welcoming, that then feeds economic investment.”
