The University of Chicago will introduce its new Arts Incubator at the "Arts and Public Life" open house Friday. The Incubator is an initiative by artist Theaster Gates, with the mission to provide a place for arts education and community-based arts projects. The open house features music performances, tours of the renovated 1920s Incubator building, and "Feedback," a preview of Arts Incubator's public art and performance programming. One of the first art exhibits will be Cauleen Smith's "Park Interiors: 17 Possible Directions."

Why go: Chicago's cultural scene is something to boast about, especially as it continues to grow.

Reconsider: You mean the city extends beyond the South Loop?

3-6 p.m. Friday at Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Boulevard; free; arts.uchicago.edu/artsandpubliclife