Imagine a small, historic neighborhood with dozens of world-class arts and cultural organizations. Now imagine that those organizations pooled their voices and resources to attract the world’s attention to their cultural riches. No need to imagine—it’s the real-life story of HyPa, the Hyde Park Alliance for Arts & Culture, in Chicago’s historic Hyde Park area.

Just seven miles south of downtown Chicago, the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park is home not only to President Obama and his family; it is also home to one of the nation’s greatest collections of cultural organizations. From museums and galleries to theater, music, dance, and architecture, Chicago’s mid-South Side buzzes with creative energy.

HyPa’s goals are simple. We want residents throughout the mid-South Side to know what’s happening in their own backyard. We plan to invite residents of the entire Chicago area to visit Hyde Park for a day or a weekend to enjoy the area’s rich variety of shows, exhibitions, tours, and classes. And we want tourists and art lovers from across the country to experience one of the nation’s finest cultural destinations.

More than 25 organizations and individuals worked hard to make HyPa a reality. With HyPa’s launch, arts and culture organizations at the University of Chicago and throughout the neighborhood can leverage our resources and enrich the visitor experience here in Hyde Park.

And that’s why we’re all hyped up about HyPa.