The Chicago Academy for the Arts was founded in 1981 by a group of dedicated artists, educators, and business professionals.

These men and women believed that a young person should not have to leave the State of Illinois to pursue his/her dream of becoming a professional artist. For 27 years, CAA has been committed to educating a diverse community of learners through professional arts training and a rigorous college preparatory academic curriculum.

The Chicago Academy for the Arts is the only independent art school in the state of Illinois and only 1 of 5 independent schools in the country that provides professional arts training and a comprehensive academic education. In 2006 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary and was awarded the Creative Ticket for Arts Excellence Award from the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education.