our name
The theatre is named after Artemisia Gentileschi, who was a great feminist painter, largely forgotten by history until recently. Now, she’s considered the greatest female artist prior to the modern period. That’s why women’s stories are important. They change our perspective, on the past, the present and the future. That’s why Artemisia Theatre was founded, to share women’s untold stories.
#wewomen
we empower women.
#wewomen we empower women.
our mission
Artemisia produces plays that empower women, creating career-altering opportunities for female identifying theatre artists of all racial and ethnic backgrounds; sexual orientations and identities; economic status; ages and disabilities. We make women heroes of their own lives by sharing their stories and amplifying their voices. We invite anyone and everyone who wants to empower women to join us as artists and audience.
Artemisia aims to be at the forefront of the fight for women and female-identifying people through outstanding performances that push the envelope. From world premieres to the virtual stage, our mission is and will always be to better our world for women and female-identifying people.
We strive to be a social justice theatre, committing to anti-sexist and anti-racist practices in our work. We are grateful for the anti-racist training received from ArtEquity funded by the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and EnrichChicago funded by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. Our work to dismantle racist and sexist practices in theatre is ongoing as we continue to use our collective talents and voices to promote hope, healing and empowerment.
We acknowledge that the land on which we create art was stewarded by the Ho-Chunk, Kickapoo, Miami, Peoria and Potawatomi People. We respectfully recognize that we occupy land that was taken by force from its owners. Today, Chicago has the third-largest population of urban Native Americans in the United States, with approximately 175 tribes represented. Source material from the American Library Association. Visit their website to learn more about the Indigenous Tribes of Chicago.
our Leadership
Artemisia is led by a volunteer coalition of Chicago-based artists and administrators who are fully committed to the theatre’s mission and its core values of empowerment, diversity and inclusion. The coalition creates a safe space for ALL Chicago artists while practicing pay equity; amplifying the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists and engaging the community in plays driven by the idea that her story empowers us all.