Northwestern Neighborhood and Community Relations

09/25/2026

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/09/northwestern-celebrates-175-years?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=university-news

This year, Northwestern celebrates the 175th anniversary of its founding with a slate of events, stories, service projects and fundraising opportunities as the community looks back on its incredible history and forward to what the University can become as it continues to grow and evolve.

09/23/2026

09/21/2026

CALLING ARTISTS & CREATIVES!

Here’s an exciting opportunity to help create a lasting piece of art that celebrates Evanston, community, connection, and our shared future!

Northwestern University, in coordination with the City of Evanston, has officially released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Ryan Field Southeast Façade Mural: https://arts.formstack.com/forms/northwestern_university_ryan_field_mural_rfq

The selected artwork will be prominently displayed on the southeast façade of the new Ryan Field—creating a large-scale, public-facing visual expression of the unique character and diversity of Evanston, the relationship between Northwestern and the City, and the pride and sense of belonging that connect our communities.

We are especially excited to encourage Evanston-based artists and artists with meaningful ties to Evanston to consider this opportunity. Individual artists, artist teams, muralists, digital artists, graphic designers, illustrators, painters, public artists, and interdisciplinary creatives are all eligible to apply:

🏟️ Mural size: Approximately 78 feet wide
🎨 Selected artist/team award: $20,000
📅 RFQ released: September 21
⏰ Qualifications deadline: October 23, 2026
🌟 Installation & dedication: Late April/Early May 2027

Important: This first phase is for qualifications only—artists should NOT submit mural designs or concepts at this time. Three semifinalists will receive $2,500 each to develop site-specific proposals, with the selected artist/team receiving a total award of $20,000.

This is more than an opportunity to create a mural. It’s an opportunity to create something that will become part of the visual landscape of Evanston for years to come.

Artists and creatives—help us spread the word!

👉 Applications are due October 23, 2026

09/18/2026

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/09/17/northwestern-downtown-evanston-host-fountain-square-concert-for-incoming-class/

Incoming students fill Fountain Square to see Funkadesi, an Evanston favorite. Hundreds of incoming Northwestern students filled Fountain Square Wednesday

09/18/2026

Team Northwestern showed up for an incredible cause!

Swipe ➡️ to see highlights from September 17, as Northwestern University colleagues joined the Lurie Children’s Race Against Cancer in support of children and families impacted by cancer.

Colleagues from across Operations, IT, Facilities, and Safety & Security came together to walk, run, cheer, and demonstrate the spirit of service and community that makes Northwestern so special.

A special shout-out to our Northwestern Medicine colleagues who were also out in full force, hitting the course with pride, energy, and purpose!

Events like this are a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together in support of our community and a meaningful cause.

Together, we’re making a difference💜

https://175.northwestern.edu/our-community-impact/

09/10/2026

I’m truly honored and privileged to be in a position to help spearhead Northwestern University’s ANCHOR Grants Program—one of our Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations’ signature initiatives.

ANCHOR—Advancing Neighborhood & Community Health, Opportunity & Resilience—is about more than providing funding. It’s about investing in partnerships, supporting innovative community-driven ideas, and connecting the expertise and resources of Northwestern with organizations doing meaningful work throughout our communities.

🎥 This video provides a snapshot of our 2026 ANCHOR Grants Orientation and Networking Session. Hearing directly from our partners about their projects, their goals, and the communities they serve was both inspiring and motivating.

As the demand for resources continues to increase, I’m also thinking about what’s next. I’m actively researching additional funding opportunities that could allow us to provide larger grant allocations and/or increase the number of organizations we are able to support during each grant cycle.

There is incredible work happening throughout our communities, and I’m proud that Northwestern can play a role in helping our partners expand their impact.

Excited about what we’ve accomplished—and even more excited about where we can take ANCHOR next.

09/08/2026

🍂 Fall is here, and so are exciting opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with NUCASLL!

Northwestern University’s Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL) is gearing up for another great season of Fall Programs, offering engaging learning opportunities designed to inspire curiosity, build skills, and connect participants with Northwestern’s campus and resources.

Whether exploring a new interest, developing a skill, or simply enjoying the opportunity to learn alongside others, NUCASLL’s fall programming offers something to look forward to this season.

📚 Learn something new.
🤝 Make new connections.
💜 Experience Northwestern.

Check out the NUCASLL Fall Programs and find an opportunity that’s right for you!

09/03/2026

https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2026/09/evanston-mashup-is-on-the-northwestern-campus-this-year?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=community-engagement

Local entrepreneurs, civic leaders, artists, educators, nonprofit leaders, Northwestern officials and Evanston residents all will be in attendance at this year’s Evanston MashUp.

09/02/2026

Safe Sidewalks Start With All of Us! 🚲🛴

Northwestern University is proud to support the City of Evanston’s Safe Sidewalk Initiative, an effort to help keep Downtown Evanston and our local business districts safe, welcoming, and accessible for everyone.

Whether you’re walking to class, heading to work, visiting a local business, or exploring the community, we all have a role to play in creating safer shared spaces.

When traveling through Downtown Evanston and other business districts, remember to:

*Dismount and walk your bike, scooter, skateboard, roller skates, or similar device on sidewalks.

*Use designated bike lanes or streets when riding.
*Stay alert and be respectful of pedestrians.
*Keep sidewalks accessible for people of all ages and abilities, including those using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
*Look for posted signage throughout Downtown Evanston.

Northwestern is proud to join the City in encouraging our students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and visitors to help make Evanston safer and more accessible.

Ride where you should. Walk where you must. Share the sidewalk safely.