After School Matters
Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters, 3435 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
About
After School Matters offers hands-on activities for teens in areas such as welding workshops, culinary kitchens, vocal rehearsal rooms, dance studios, various design and art studios, and tech labs with 3D printers. Teens can also take part in sports instruction, stadium management, health and wellness, performing and visual arts, culinary arts, business, journalism, marketing, media, applied and natural science, audio/visual work, industrial technology, and information technology.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer programs run from June 22 - August 9.
After School Matters began in 1991 as a summer arts program and has been operating for 35 years. Its mission is to provide out-of-school opportunities for teens across Chicago to connect, create, and thrive. The organization supports nearly 20,000 teens across Chicago each year with paid opportunities, and programs are offered across almost every Chicago neighborhood in schools, parks, community centers, libraries, and community organizations, working with community partners. It is the nation’s largest and most impactful provider of after-school and summer program opportunities for teens and operates four teen-centric buildings designed specifically for Chicago teens, including a facility in Belmont Cragin gifted by Karyn Lutz and her family, a facility in Cabrini that includes the organization’s first gym, and a facility at Gately Park that includes tech labs with 3D printers and a rooftop garden. ASM teens have met with state representatives and senators in Springfield, IL for a day of advocacy. A shop offers unique and creative items made by Chicago teens in After School Matters programs.
“Having a place like this makes you feel like you’re part of a community. My program is so fun and informative.” - ASM Teen
“After School Matters gives teens a reason to be excited and want to learn more. I love ASM and all the programs I have been in, they have truly changed me as a person and have helped open up so many doors for me to continue in my career and my college studies.” - Janessa Tyler, ASM Alum
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer programs run from June 22 - August 9.
After School Matters began in 1991 as a summer arts program and has been operating for 35 years. Its mission is to provide out-of-school opportunities for teens across Chicago to connect, create, and thrive. The organization supports nearly 20,000 teens across Chicago each year with paid opportunities, and programs are offered across almost every Chicago neighborhood in schools, parks, community centers, libraries, and community organizations, working with community partners. It is the nation’s largest and most impactful provider of after-school and summer program opportunities for teens and operates four teen-centric buildings designed specifically for Chicago teens, including a facility in Belmont Cragin gifted by Karyn Lutz and her family, a facility in Cabrini that includes the organization’s first gym, and a facility at Gately Park that includes tech labs with 3D printers and a rooftop garden. ASM teens have met with state representatives and senators in Springfield, IL for a day of advocacy. A shop offers unique and creative items made by Chicago teens in After School Matters programs.
“Having a place like this makes you feel like you’re part of a community. My program is so fun and informative.” - ASM Teen
“After School Matters gives teens a reason to be excited and want to learn more. I love ASM and all the programs I have been in, they have truly changed me as a person and have helped open up so many doors for me to continue in my career and my college studies.” - Janessa Tyler, ASM Alum
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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