Since 2010, Art Song Chicago has championed the art of song through a vibrant mix of performance and educational initiatives—including an annual song festival, public concerts, master classes, workshops, and a fellowship program for emerging artists. The organization has earned acclaim from Chicago Classical Review for “art song performances of the highest order” and has become a cornerstone of the city’s musical life, showcasing leading performers from around the globe. Founded as the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (CAIC) by pianists Nicholas Hutchinson and Shannon McGinnis alongside tenor Nicholas Phan, the organization has continually evolved to champion the art song and vocal chamber music repertoire.

In recent years, the team expanded with the appointments of Justin Berkowitz as Director of Marketing and Operations in 2022 and Eric Ferring as Executive Director in 2023. In celebration of its 15th anniversary in 2025, CAIC began a new chapter with a new name: Art Song Chicago. This name reflects our enduring commitment to art song and our aspiration to nurture and expand the repertoire for generations to come. Opera News has hailed Art Song Chicago “as one of Windy City’s primary musical treasures,” while the Chicago Tribune affirms that “the genre of art song singing will never lack a forum in the city’s musical life as long as [Art Song] Chicago is there to affirm its importance and promote its growth.” Art Song Chicago is a nationally recognized 501c3 organization.