Artists Central Exchange: Chicago’s Local Artist Co-Op & Community Center March 28, 2011 Whether you're in downtown or Uptown, you can see that part of what makes up Chicago is its amazing art and artists. One organization in Chicago is helping give local artists a place to come together: the Artist Central Exchange (A.C.E.). We got to meet with John Burks, the A.C.E.'s creative director, and check out the space.