Laura Smith

Changing Worlds is an organization dedicated to leveraging the transformative power of art to foster inclusive, equitable communities and enhance education, particularly for underserved youth. The non-profit company is based in Chicago, IL. The company's mission centers on ensuring all students, schools, and communities in the Chicagoland area have access to quality, artist-led arts education that promotes critical thinking, emotional intelligence, cultural understanding, and social justice awareness. The company offers diverse arts programs — including visual arts, music, dance, creative writing, spoken word, drama, and storytelling — serving K-12 students and community members in various settings such as in-school, after-school, and family workshops. Changing Worlds actively supports marginalized groups and social justice causes, including Black Lives Matter, Indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive justice, while maintaining a commitment to diversity and inclusion across all organizational levels. The organization also supports working artists by providing fair pay and creative opportunities as teaching artists. The company was founded in 1996 by Kay Berkson.