Young Chicago Authors helps young people discover themselves and the power of their voices through storytelling in all its forms. We provide free, citywide programs where youth build confidence, grow as artists and leaders, and contribute to joyful, expressive communities that celebrate the arts.
Why we exist: Too many young people are underestimated or unheard, not for lack of talent, but for lack of access and platforms. YCA removes barriers by providing consistent, free programming; culturally responsive teaching; and stages where young artists are taken seriously. Our spaces are where teens learn the craft, find a community, and step into leadership. We believe every young person has a story that can move a room and reshape a city. The key to our work is partnership with like‑minded arts organizations to create an ecosystem in one of the most dedicated cities in the world to the arts.
Since 1991, more than 100,000 young people from every corner of Chicago have found a home at YCA, developing their craft, building community, and carrying their stories into the world. Alumni include Grammy winners, bestselling authors, poet laureates, journalists, doctors, lawyers, Netflix directors, and founders of firms, but just as importantly, thousands of young people who use their voices to make their communities more just and equitable.
Youth voice unlocks a young person’s confidence in themselves and their ability to create and make change. At YCA, young people learn to be responsive to the world around them, to their own communities, and to their own growth as artists and individuals.
At Young Chicago Authors, we believe that words are the first civic step toward meaningful change. YCA provides young people with the space, skills, and support to discover their voices, cultivate their artistry, and grow into leaders who shape vibrant, expressive communities. For more than three decades, participants have carried these tools into every field imaginable, evidence that when young people are empowered to speak, they also learn to lead.
Artistic Learning and Expression
Create art that tells authentic stories
Think critically about works of art
Recognize and employ literary techniques
Social and Emotional Learning
Be empowered
Have a positive sense of self
Contribute to an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed and respected
Recognize the importance of all personal narratives
Academic Success and Foundational Skills
Engage in learning
Turn an idea into a completed work
YCA serves young people ages 13–17, 18-24 (specialized programs) from across Chicago, with intentional outreach in neighborhoods most impacted by disinvestment and limited access to the arts. Our programs are free and open to all, ensuring access for youth from every background, identity, and community. While we emphasize work with teens, we recognize that young people exist on a spectrum of ages and experiences—and we welcome participants of all ages in our public programs. We believe every young person deserves the chance to grow as an artist, a leader, and a storyteller and to experience joy through creative expression and communities that affirm their identity.
By the numbers:
2,500+ young people served each year across Chicago
300+ hours of free programs delivered annually
100,000+ alumni and participants impacted across YCA’s history
1 month‑long youth poetry festival, the largest of its kind in the world
Longest running youth open mic in Chicago
Active programs: These are planned programs within our 2025-2026 calendar year
- Rooted + Radical Youth Poetry Festival
- Artist Blueprint
- All-City Open Mic
- Chicago Youth Poet Laureate
- Education Partnerships
- WordPlay
Special Programs: These programs will be scheduled on a more community responsive basis as our young people and community requests:
- Check The Method
- Every Word Counts
- Emcee Olympics
- Writing Teachers Collective