Chicago arts and culture is a top priority in a new cultural plan released Monday by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.
The proposed plan, only the second revision since the document’s 1986 origin, identifies 10 priorities for “Chicago to realize its potential as a cultural leader.” The ideas include increasing arts and art education, honoring Chicago culture and increasing cultural activity citywide, revising city policies and regulations to optimize creative initiatives, and making Chicago a global city.
Along with the priorities, the plan includes 36 recommendations for implementation strategies such as creating a comprehensive system to accommodate space needs for artists and creative professionals.
It also aims to examine and expand cultural funding sources, develop further arts education in public schools, link neighborhoods, celebrate community culture, promote Chicago’s global capacity and design a pro-art government.
The current draft of the proposed plan expects more than 90 percent of the initiatives to be in effect within the next five years. Though more than 30 percent of the initiatives could cost up to $50,000, certain implementation strategies could extend up to $1 million annually, according to the proposed plan.
Initial residential review of the Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 held in February involved 3,000 Chicago residents who shared their opinions via town hall meetings, conversations, cultural sector meetings, interviews and social media and now final comments in the plan’s “public engagement” strategy are encouraged during four town hall meetings on July 24, 25, 28 and 31.
A final draft of the plan is expected to be released in the fall.
