Twice named “Orchestra of the Year” by the Illinois Council of Orchestras, Ars Viva was founded in 1995 with the mission to present a wide variety of repertoire performed at the highest levels of artistic excellence.  Under the direction of Alan Heatherington, Ars Viva has since taken its place among the finest orchestras in metropolitan Chicago.  In addition to performing the masterpieces of western music, Ars Viva is deeply committed to engaging with and enriching the surrounding community through its art and to that end maintains extensive and vibrant community partnerships that serve students, families, the elderly and the physically challenged.  Since April 1997, the orchestra has performed at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.