Chicago Voyagers, a nonprofit that empowers local youth through adventure therapy, had always connected with local donors interested in outdoor exploration and youth enrichment. To grow its support base, the organization needed to build awareness and reach new audiences beyond traditional outdoor and youth-focused nonprofit supporters.
Chicago’s vibrant creative community represented an opportunity to connect with a new audience. Many members care deeply about the future of the city’s youth. Art events can drive awareness and fundraising for nonprofits, and art itself can carry a lasting cultural influence long after an activation ends.
The objective was to increase awareness of Chicago Voyagers’ mission and expand support by challenging perceptions of who belongs in the outdoors.
The organization set out to paint a picture of American exploration: one where young people of color could see themselves as the heroes of adventure.
Most Americans grew up seeing the same paintings on museum field trips: white, male explorers standing triumphantly on canoes and mountaintops. Those paintings shaped how we pictured the outdoors—and who it belonged to.
Meanwhile, 74% of communities of color in the United States live in nature-deprived areas. When the imagery of the outdoors excludes you, the outdoors itself can start to feel like it isn't for you.
To change the narrative, we had to show it.
Chicago Voyagers partnered with diverse Chicago artists to paint the future of American exploration: one where adventure knows no color or gender.
The Future Voyagers Exhibit reimagined traditional mid-19th century imagery by featuring portraits of Chicago Voyagers youth painted in heroic poses of exploration. The first-of-its-kind exhibit and artist residency celebrated 27 artworks from nine Chicago-based artists depicting 15 Chicago Voyagers youth, visualizing the organization’s core mission.
The program was curated by Creative Director Dwight White II, a multidisciplinary artist, cultural influencer, and Chicago local. White tapped eight other minority artists who contributed one-of-a-kind pieces. The artists ranged in style, experience level, and interpretation of the Chicago Voyagers youth, but shared a vision to portray a more inclusive future so kids could see themselves belong.
The exhibit opened with a three-day event at the historic Epiphany Center for the Arts, followed by a month-long public residency. The activation included an artwork auction, community events hosted by minority-owned businesses, speaker panels discussing the gap in outdoor access for people of color, and out-of-home projections on Chicago’s largest building, The Merchandise Mart.
Each painting came to life through an audio tour accessed via QR code, featuring narration from the youth pictured in each piece and giving the community the opportunity to hear their stories in their own words.
By combining art, storytelling, fundraising, and community programming, The Future Voyagers Exhibit introduced new audiences to Chicago Voyagers while challenging historical narratives around who belongs in the outdoors.
By challenging historical narratives through art, The Future Voyagers Exhibit increased awareness of Chicago Voyagers while helping more people see themselves reflected in the outdoors.
The exhibit drew more than 600 attendees and sold more than 60 works of art, funding more than 450 days in nature for Chicago youth.
Website visits increased +77% month-over-month and unique web visitors increased +61% indicating new people started engaging with the organization (July–August 2025).
Chicago Voyagers saw awareness surge, significantly expanding its contact base for future engagement.
The campaign yielded a 40% increase in Chicago Voyager’s mailing list.
The exhibit messaging became Chicago Voyagers' most engaging social content of 2025, demonstrating that the campaign resonated beyond attendees.
