Degenerate Art Gallery represents a wide range of emerging and mid-career artists with a specialization in activist artwork, emphasis on collectorship

My name is Nicholas Zahn and I am the sole proprietor of the local Chicago establishment Degenerate Art Gallery! I hold a BA in Arts Entrepreneurship from Columbia College Chicago with a focus in small business management. I began Degenerate Art Gallery as a website in college to present new local artists and feature their work online. In 2014, I was able to take my vision from the web and into a storefront here in Chicago. In the two years we were open in that storefront we had fourteen exhibitions and worked with over a hundred local artists! As an art dealer my focus was to build a community of art minded individuals who’s focus was collectorship of local artwork. I sought out outsider and activist artwork that had compelling messages, and tried to give as many new artists their first time gallery experience.

My experience in the storefront was invaluable in gaining knowledge and accolades in my field, but now I am ready to start a new chapter of pop up exhibitions and selling artwork from our website.

Established in 2008, Degenerate Art Gallery represents a wide range of emerging and mid-career artists with a specialization in activist artwork. Emphasis on collectorship is the cornerstone of Degenerate Art Gallery. The gallery’s mission to connect local artists with collectors has led to the sale of hundreds of local works in notable Chicago collections. 

With a satellite space in the heart of downtown Chicago at Studio 110, (110 E. Delaware Street, Chicago) Degenerate is able to showcase artists year round as well as a number of local art fairs and pop up shows that happen throughout the year.

Check out degenerateartgallery.com to see photos from our events!

This Kiva Zip loan will kickstart our exhibition season by allowing us to rent out the appropriate spaces for our events. It also helps to pay for all of the necessary promotional materials and equipment that come along with have an event like this.