Student Spotlight: Max Silverman
At The Academy, every student has a story to share, and the freedom, community, and encouragement to bring that story to life. For Max Silverman (Media Arts ’27), that sense of belonging has transformed not only his art, but the way he sees himself and the world around him. As you read Max’s reflections on creativity, collaboration, and finding his artistic “home”, we hope you’ll consider making a gift to The Academy to bring more stories to life. Your support ensures that more young artists have the opportunity to find their people, discover their voice, and build something original.
Max Silverman, Senior in the Media Arts Department
Tell us a little about yourself! What grade are you in, what do you study, and what first drew you to The Academy?
Hi! My name is Max Silverman. I study Media Arts in which I animate and write with great students and teachers. I am currently in my senior year at The Academy which is hard to say because I will be going to college soon! What drew me first to The Academy is how seriously everybody takes art. I had always felt like art was a very important part of my life, I honestly didn't think a school like this existed; when I came here for a shadow day, I was immediately drawn in not only because everyone wanted to create but because The Academy was so welcoming to my interests. The kids, the teachers, the staff have always cared deeply about what we create.
What does being a student at The Academy mean to you?
Being a student at The Academy means one thing to me. This “thing” that comes with any place yet is somehow emphasized with The Academy is that we are a community. When I hear the word community I often don't know what to think because it is such a grand definition. Community at The Academy means that we all know each other, by name, by department, and always by one thing that makes us stand out. The Academy is one of the most tight knit places I know – incoming freshmen will often know and be known by virtually everyone within a few weeks; that tight knit community builds friendships, connections, and an unbreakable community.
What are you excited to create or accomplish this year?
This year is my final year at The Academy which means I have a lot to accomplish. Outside of having a good time in my classes, I am aiming to create two pieces of media this year for each of our shows. The first a horror monologue for our Academy Halloween showcase, and the second an animated re-telling of the life of a veteran that I had met this summer. These are my biggest artistic goals; but my biggest social goal is to be more present in The Academy’s life and use my resources and knowledge, along with many other students, to lift up The Academy's purpose. I want to build deeper bonds with old and new teachers and make sure that The Academy continues to grow.
How has being at The Academy changed or challenged you as an artist and as a person?
Being at The Academy has fostered the thing I needed to learn most as a child, teamwork. As a very smart faculty member said to me, “you can do things quickly and run through people or you can do things together.” Being at The Academy has helped me to choose to do things together. Through our media collaborations each semester, I learned how to work on a film set, in our speech and debate class we coordinate to debate and coordinate, and in our youth and government club, we create mock bills to announce at the real Illinois state legislature building. All of these opportunities I could have not learned in the same way in any other school.
“When you go to The Academy, you can be sure that everyone here has a story to tell. We all love art but more than that we have an inherent need to create. A feeling so beautiful I couldn’t fully describe it. ”
What’s something about the Media Arts Department – or The Academy as a whole – that you don’t think you would find anywhere else?
I personally believe what you only find at The Academy is how spontaneous things can be. One day you could be playing piano with your principal, the next going to Springfield to present a mock bill, and the next day you are performing at your department's show. Anything can happen at The Academy and everyone is for it. I have to acknowledge the only way this is possible is through the faculty, staff, and teachers.
When you think about your future, what do you hope to take with you from your experience at The Academy?
I hope I take away the fact that I am not alone when it comes to art. We often believe as humans that we are more alone than we think, that no-one will understand our struggles or even our interests. But the simple fact is that we are more connected than we think. The Academy has highlighted that for me and so many other kids, and I know I will spend the rest of my life taking that belief everywhere and focusing on what connects us rather than what divides us.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
When you go to The Academy, you can be sure that everyone here has a story to tell. We all love art but more than that we have an inherent need to create. A feeling so beautiful I couldn't fully describe it. In the eyes of every Academy student, I see that the need to create is reflected so beautifully in our art, in our plays, our movies, our stories and in ourselves. We each have something to offer at The Academy and all of us make The Academy great.
To learn more about the one-of-a-kind people like Max Silverman, keep an eye out for more Academy stories featuring faculty, students, and alumni. Thank you for supporting the next generation of Chicago’s young artists.
Please reach out to development@chicagoartsacademy.org for more information.
