Riverside and Brookfield are the site of growing arts scenes and home to many artists, both professional and amateur. A number of local organizations exist to support community members who are interested in viewing the arts, joining a community of artists, or becoming more creative.
The Riverside Arts Center is a “space for lifelong learning and creativity,” said executive director Ann Filmer. The arts center also has two galleries, a studio for classes, a ceramics studio, and an outdoor garden where they host events. The center offers a full arts education program for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Exhibits, which are always free and open to the public, feature art primarily from artists based in Illinois and the Chicago area. Every year, the center displays a collection produced by students at Riverside Brookfield High School as well as a members show featuring pieces submitted by members of the arts center.
The Compassion Factory in the 8 Corners District of Brookfield is part of the village’s growing arts scene. The Compassion Factory has an arts studio that hosts classes for all ages and “open studio” arts nights. They also have a gallery space which displays exhibits from both established and amateur artists. The 8 Corners District in Brookfield has especially become a hub of the growing arts presence in the area. In the fall of 2025, nine pieces of public art by community members went up at the Brookfield Shops business incubator project.
Grey Phoenix Art Studio, a new arts space in Brookfield, is set to open this February. The Brookfield Fine Arts Fest celebrates the community’s creativity every year. Starts with Art provides financial assistance to children and teens in the Chicago area to pursue the arts. For crafters, the Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library has a makerspace with maker technology including a Cricut machine, a 3d printer, and sewing and embroidery machines. For those interested in the performing arts, Sway Dance recently opened for dance classes and the Brookfield Theater Corporation has plans to convert an old auto repair shop into the Strand Theater.
For people looking to looking to get involved in the local arts community, Filmer said her advice would be to get out to different galleries and to just meet people. “Attend art openings, attend music shows, pop up art shows. It’s just really important to show up, because when you’re meeting people face to face, that’s how you connect.”
