Music Institute Opens Second Downtown Evanston Space

Music Institute of Chicago staff and city officials toasted a new downtown space for the institute to the sounds of a saxophone Wednesday.

The Music Institute held a grand opening for its new space at 1702 Sherman Ave., which now houses its music therapy program, administration and some music lessons. The space also has a black box theater where The Music Institute and other groups can perform for the public.

"We're thrilled that there's a theater downtown," said Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl.

The Music Institute obtained a $175,000 TIF construction grant from the city toward renovation of the new space. 

The new Music Institute location occupies the basement of the former Marshall Fields building downtown, which was previously occupied by a church, according to Erin Fusco, director of marketing and communications. The organization's other location, at 1490 Chicago Ave., will continue to hold concerts and function as it has. Meanwhile, the former site of the administration building in Wilmette, and an outpost for the music therapy programs at Dodge and Dempster in Evanston, have both closed.

Moving to a downtown Evanston location was appealing for its proximity to public transit and other entertainment and retail options, according to Fusco.

"We're hoping to be more of a cultural partner to the city," she said.

The Music Institute's free lunchtime concerts by staff members will now be performed in the black box theatre at 1702 Sherman Ave. There will be one concert each month through June, on Nov. 13, Dc. 11, Jan. 22, Feb. 12, March 19, April 23, May 21 and June 11.