Who We Are
Project Projects is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that expands access to the arts by removing barriers to participation, supporting artists at every stage, and building creative community. Through free programming and artist-centered initiatives, we create spaces where emerging and established creatives can connect, grow, and be seen.
We Aim To:
Serve 20,000+ audience members through free programming
Support 150+ artists through paid performance opportunities
Expand to additional venues and neighborhoods in Chicago
Our story
Project Projects was born from a simple idea: when people feel they belong, good things follow.
That idea took root in 1992, when Bruce Finkelman founded the Empty Bottle, a Chicago venue that quickly became a home for musicians, artists, and writers across disciplines. Rolling Stone later named it one of the 20 best rock clubs in the country.
The Empty Bottle brought together the people who would go on to found Project Projects. Victor David Giron and Brent Heyl were both regulars before joining Bruce in building what became 16 On Center, a network of venues and restaurants across Chicago.
As 16 On Center grew, so did its commitment to giving back. In 2016, Project Projects was established as a nonprofit to formalize that charitable work, which now contributes over $100,000 annually to local causes. Today, Project Projects is expanding from supporting outside organizations to building and scaling its own artist-centered programs.
Our Vision
We envision a world where creative expression is accessible to everyone, where cities have inclusive spaces for art and music, and where artists are supported not just in their craft, but in building sustainable careers.
Our Impact
Artist Impact
Early-stage performance opportunities for emerging musicians
Pathways from emerging to professional practice
Education and career development resources
Community Impact
Inclusive, intergenerational gathering spaces
Strengthened local creative ecosystems
Cross-disciplinary collaboration between artists and audiences
Access & Wellbeing
No financial barriers to experiencing live art
Mental health support through cultural experience
Third spaces that counter isolation
Board of Directors
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The intricate mosaic of Victor David Giron’s mind means that every number, every figure, every bit of data in the business becomes a work of art. When Giron was frequenting the Empty Bottle in his 20s, the Chicago native never dreamed he’d run a publishing house that would put out the oral history documenting the venue’s legacy. But the work ethic inspired by his immigrant parents (mother from Mexico, father from Guatemala) led Giron to found the acclaimed Curbside Splendor Publishing. And as if that wasn’t intimately involved with the Bottle, he leapt at the opportunity to join the 16” on Center team in 2014, first as controller and most recently as CFO & Vice President, Business Development, managing finance, business development, HR, and more.
A creative at heart, Giron sees his career as finding and refining artistry in numbers. “It’s not just math, it’s problem solving,” he says. “I studied philosophy in addition to finance, and that centered me on analyzing and understanding problems from multiple perspectives.” That approach helped Giron excel at early career stops at big corporations like PwC and Exelon, but his love of art kept calling. He had become friends with Empty Bottle honcho and eventual 16” on Center co-founder Bruce Finkelman, who convinced Giron to come on board and help shape the company. “It was an opportunity to work with someone I admired, and to work in the music and entertainment that I always loved,” he says. “It was an opportunity to help build something unique rather than continue on in corporate America.”
As time passed, that hands-on experience included developing new teams, including the business development department—which generates sponsorship and marketing deals—as well as Human Resources. And as 16” on Center builds new creative ideas and expands, Giron continues to find fails to flex his problem-solving muscles. “I still follow my mom’s advice to be a little pragmatic,” he laughs. “At 16” on Center, that means giving everyone on my great team a voice and helping them make the best decisions.”
While he spends his days focused on ensuring 16” on Center’s patrons can access the most thrilling music and hospitality to 16” on Center, Giron loves to spend his free time cooking and finding exciting date spots with his partner, Erika—not to mention sharing live music with his teenage sons, who may just one day publish the oral history of other 16” on Center venues.
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A Chicagoland native, Bruce Finkelman’s celebrated path in hospitality began as a graduate of the University of Missouri’s inaugural Food and Beverage program. Working his way through school at Columbia’s storied Blue Note music club, he found a home for his love of music.
Returning to Chicago, he landed a job with Hyatt Hotels Corp but was stifled by the big-box corporate mentality and he decided to head out on his own. A late night drive through Ukrainian Village would foreshadow the launch of the Empty Bottle. Described by Finkelman as a “cat-ridden hole-in-the-wall,” musical acts from all over the globe were welcomed as Chicago’s music scene blossomed. Three decades later, it is the only Chicago venue to make Rolling Stone magazine’s "20 Best Rock Clubs."
Finkelman’s manifold restaurant concepts are a function of his evolving palate. While bourbon took center stage at Longman & Eagle, and beer became the focus for Dusek’s, live music has always remained a relative constant in Bruce’s pursuits. Finkelman attributes his collection of diverse music venues to his love of live performances. “Create a place where you would want to be, and there are sure to be some others who will like it as well.” He spends what free time he has with his wife and daughter, perusing galleries and restaurants, discovering Chicago’s unique architectural history and neighborhoods, hopelessly rooting for its hometown football team and relaxing at home.
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Megan is a 30-year veteran in the marketing communications field. She currently serves as SVP, Client Services at MERGE, a leading marketing and technology agency that specializes in the intersection of healthcare, wellness, and consumer experience. In this role she collaborates with clients to explore and execute creative solutions to meet complex business goals. Her natural curiosity, passion for uncovering customer insights, and talent for managing integrated teams have enabled her to build enduring and successful partnerships.
Beyond her professional work, Megan is deeply committed to community impact and advocacy. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) for seven years, where she currently Co-Chairs the Fundraising Committee. Additionally, she serves as a volunteer tutor for Learning Edge, demonstrating a dedicated balance of strategic leadership and direct service to the Chicago community.
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Brent Heyl’s dedication to music can surely never be questioned. When he first moved to Chicago, he had two goals: get an internship with the record label Thrill Jockey and see as many shows as possible at the Empty Bottle. The Long Beach, CA, native had grown up watching his dad play drums and obsessing over the punk played in skate videos with his brother. Heyl moved to Arizona for college, where he worked in restaurants while studying communications and political science, dreaming of being more closely involved in music. And when he got to Chicago, Heyl not only got that internship at Thrill Jockey, but he worked his way into a full-time gig, all while becoming a fixture at his beloved Empty Bottle.
“Even when I wasn’t able to go to some shows, I would sit outside the venue and smoke cigarettes, listening to the show through vents in the wall,” Heyl recalls. “I even moved apartments so I lived closer to the Bottle.” He eventually started bartending at the space’s sister venue, Sonotheque, while continuing to work in radio promotions. When Bruce Finkelman and his team opened Beauty Bar in 2010, Heyl was asked to manage it and help lead programming. When his strength in the latter was recognized, Heyl was asked to expand his work to booking events at a variety of unique spaces through Empty Bottle Presents.
“There were—and still are—so many good bands, scenes, and places to be supported in Chicago,” Heyl says. “Over the years I’ve booked shows in cemeteries, galleries, conservatories. We feel really lucky to help make these experiences happen.” In addition to his role as partner at Empty Bottle Presents, Heyl was the talent buyer at Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall before being named Director of Music for 16” on Center and talent buyer for Salt Shed in 2021.
Today, Heyl’s responsibilities continue to stretch in new directions, including overseeing marketing and talent buying across the various venues in 16 on Center’s portfolio. Connecting those dots across venues has helped him see the bigger picture from the fan perspective as well, and Heyl makes sure that he and his team do everything they can to make each guest’s ideal night out. “We think about the whole experience, from the moment someone steps onto our property, and make sure that our staff are friendly, inviting, and as excited to be at the show as our guests,” he says. “And by getting to put together events like Plantasia at Garfield Park Conservatory, Beyond the Gate at Bohemian National Cemetery, and Warm Love Cool Dreams at Salt Shed, I’m honored to pursue niche events that add flavor to 16 on Center’s larger calendar.” And lucky for Heyl, these days he doesn’t need to be listening to the music through vents.
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Katie Tuten is the former owner of the Hideout (30 years) in Chicago. The Hideout was consistently listed as one of the best lived music venues in Chicago. The Hideout was named Chicagoans of the Year / Music in 2019. Chicago Reader named the Hideout Best Music Venue and Comedy Venue in 2019 and Best Live Streaming in 2020 and 2023. Ms. Tuten won the Venues Now All Stars 2020. Katie Tuten and Joe Shanahan were named Chicagoans of the Year in 2021. In 2021, Lawyers for Creative Arts named Katie and Tim Tuten Honorees for Distinguished Service to the Arts. Executive Service Corps named Katie Nonprofit Board Member of the Year 2021 for her work with BandWith.
For over two decades Katie has identified; supported; promoted and consulted artists; musicians; small business owners; and not for profit organizations. For thirty years, Katie’s “day job” was at not for profit organization; affordable housing; immigrant rights; tenants rights; child care; veterans right, etc.
Katie is a Board member of BandWith and Artist Book House. Katie is considered a highly respective leader understanding the intersection between art; music; culture; politics; education and social justice. She is the founder of Chicago Independent Venue League.; CIVL was established to unite and organize many of the diverse music venues in Chicago. CIVL unites the voices; best practices and common concerns of the independent small venues in Chicago. Katie was a founding member of NIVA, former President of IL NIVA and Emeritus Board Member of NIVA.
Support Our Work
Your donation helps us pay artists directly, keep Free Mondays free, and expand our programs to new venues across Chicago.