The Hyde Park Art Centers mission is to stimulate and sustain the visual arts in Chicago. As one of the oldest alternative spaces in the city, the HPAC has an exemplary record of exhibiting a wide range of work by emerging artists through its Exhibitions Program. Panel discussions, gallery talks, poetry readings, music performances, open house events, and a series of short pieces by guest writers expand upon the approaches and ideas presented in each exhibition and engage a broad audience. In addition, the Art Center utilizes its diverse exhibitions program, featuring contemporary art and artists, to engage school groups and teach them about art processes.