Nearly since its inception in 1959 — when a group of suburban parents dreamed of creating a stimulating environment for their children with disabilities — Little City has embraced artistic expression.
IKEA officials, Todd Mrowice, left, and Zach Neff
What started with an innovative arts program that enabled the children of Little City to design greeting cards, soon blossomed into regular classes, encouraging artistic exploration and expression. The arts became a mainstay program and a core pillar, integral to Little City’s mission of making lives better.
Fast forward to August, 2025, when Little City officials broke ground on the newly named Bell Family Arts Center on its Palatine campus. The space will include dedicated studios for painting, textiles, ceramics and even digital art. It also will feature a public-facing art gallery and café – allowing visitors to connect directly with the original work and vision of Little City artists.
The new Arts Center takes its name from lead donor, Julie Bell, who is a longtime Little City board member. Her sister, Andy Bell, is one of the longest tenured residents of Little City and she has blossomed, she says, as a result of her access to artistic expression. The center also recognizes the lifetime support of their father, Howard Bell, who believed in the mission of Little City and helped it grow.
Rendering of the Bell Family Arts Center
The Bell Family Arts Center is expected to open this summer, but the latest partner to collaborate on the project is IKEA in Schaumburg, which has generously donated all of the furniture and equipment needed to fully furnish the entire center.
“Partnering with Little City to help transform its Arts Center has been an incredible experience,” says Todd Mrowice, Communications & Events specialist at IKEA in Schaumburg. “When we first visited the Little City campus, we thought it would be a great opportunity for our co-workers to volunteer outside the store.
“But we left that visit truly inspired by the profound impact Little City has on its residents, especially through the arts center,” he added. “That’s why the decision to furnish the entire building was an easy one.”
The new center will include a cafe and kitchen.
From creating warm and inviting spaces in its gallery, and outfitting the cafe kitchen, to equipping the studios and workplaces with functional and durable furniture, IKEA’s support has been key in transforming the center into a modern space, officials say.
“One of IKEA’s core values is ‘Caring for People and Planet,’ and we believe in creating meaningful and lasting change — today and for generations to come,” Mrowice says. “The Arts Center will serve residents for many years to come, and is just the beginning of a relationship between Little City and IKEA in Schaumburg.”
The new center will feature plenty of natural light.
Little City CEO Rich Bobby describes the people at IKEA as showing a genuine passion and excitement for helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“They have gone above and beyond in their efforts to create dynamic spaces for Little City artists that will benefit so many of our participants for years to come,” Bobby says. “We cannot thank them enough for their generosity and commitment to our mission.”
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