Access Contemporary Music Announces Opening of New Venue & Music School

Access Contemporary Music (ACM) has announced that its new venue and music school, The CheckOut will officially open on Sept. 13.

The approximately 2,400 square foot building was designed by JDJ Architects and built by WW Custom Interiors with optimized acoustics to enhance musical performances. The welcoming space includes a performance area with a Yamaha concert grand piano and flexible seating for up to 60 audience members, four teaching rooms, and a bar.

Featuring a mix of ACM-sponsored events, rentals, and private events, audiences at The CheckOut will be able to experience a range of offerings from classical music concerts with an emphasis on new music, plus cabaret, album listening parties, film screenings, and more.

“Access Contemporary Music has been championing new music and expanding Chicagoans’ access to music-making for over twenty years,” said ACM Founder and Executive Director Seth Boustead in a press release. “The CheckOut will help us expand on the work we’ve already accomplished through our schools and other programming to reshape notions of what classical music can be. Programming at The CheckOut will resemble the cool and eclectic line-up of our popular annual Thirsty Ears Street Festival, but year-round and inside. Between our innovative and engaging performances, our community music school, and our carefully curated atmosphere of fun, we hope The CheckOut will become an integral hub for this neighborhood.”

The CheckOut housed at 4116 N. Clark Street in Chicago, takes its name from the building’s history as a 7-eleven store and will feature fun 7-eleven themed touches such as adult slushies and bespoke lottery tickets. ACM will host the Grand Opening Festival from Sept. 13-18. The Festival will include twelve concerts by local performers and composers. Also taking place during the Festival is a 90th birthday party for composer Arvo Pärt.