At budget hearing, jumping jacks are high on the agenda

Oct. 22, 2012
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events presented their numbers at the City of Chicago's 2013 budget hearings. But some aldermen were most interested in a program that's no longer run by the department: the jumping jack program.

Chicago to unveil cultural plan draft

Jul. 16, 2012
After months of private meetings and public town halls, Chicago today unveils its new cultural plan. Ready for a "museum campus south?" Or a neighborhood cultural council?

Weekender figures out how to buy art and boogie to math rock

Jun. 1, 2012
 Chicago: city of tall buildings, amazing dining, and believe it or not, a rockin’ public arts scene.

Culture czar seeks public input

Nov. 23, 2011
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will conduct “many community conversations” in early 2012 as the department begins the process of crafting a long-term, comprehensive cultural plan for the City of Chicago.So writes DCASE Commissioner Michelle T.

The CityArts Program: an open letter to DCASE

Nov. 17, 2011
Early last April, when Rahm Emanuel merely was Mayor-Elect, I used this blog space to send him an open letter about the CityArts Program. I never heard back from him.

Cultural affairs do-over, part II

Nov. 8, 2011
A spokesperson for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) contacted me after I wrote last week’s blog post to provide some additional information and to correct some inaccuracies.The chief inaccuracy—one which I’ve been guilty of perpetuating—is the notion that the former Depa