After weeks of hard work and preparation, nearly 500 Chicagoans teens proudly displayed their skills and talents at the After School Matters Citywide Showcase, held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance last Wednesday.

Teens from across the city demonstrated skills developed through participation in After School Matters programs during the past year in an extraordinary presentation of performing and visual arts, science and technology. Nationally recognized for providing hands-on, project-based after-school and summer programming focused on preparing teens for success in college, careers and beyond, After School Matters is the nation’s largest out-of-school time initiative for high school students.

A Teen Gallery displayed throughout the theater lobby featured a variety of one-of-a-kind, teen-created artwork, jewelry, clothing, photography and more, all of which was available for purchase onsite with proceeds supporting After School Matters teen programs. Applications for After School Matters Summer programs, which begin June 23, are available now at www.afterschoolmatters.org. This summer, After School Matters will provide 8,000 program opportunities to teens across Chicago.