It’s official: After his job as this city’s best ever programmer of free live music was twice eliminated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in the span of less than a year, Michael Orlove is moving on to greener—and hopefully more grateful—pastures. Here is the press release from his new employers.

National Endowment for the Arts Welcomes New Director of

Presenting and Artist Communities

Michael Orlove joins the NEA from the Chicago Office of Tourism & Culture

Washington, DC—The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to welcome Michael Orlove as its new director of presenting and artist communities. Orlove has extensive experience organizing performing arts events, most recently as the director of music programs for the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture. Previously, he spent 18 years as senior program director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. He will join the NEA staff on May 7, 2012.

For the complete release, please go to the NEA news room.

What will this mean for programming at Millennium Park and events such as New Music Mondays and SummerDance? It remains to be seen. City officials tried to remain upbeat on the subject in recent weeks as they attempted to justify the unconscionable way that Orlove and his crack staff were treated, being forced to reapply for jobs they had more than justified with their work. This blogger is not optimistic.

Earlier reports in this blog about the Department of Cultural Affairs:

Jan. 26, 2012: Cultural Affairs update: Music out in the cold (for now)

Dec. 16, 2011: Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs is dismantled as 29 are laid off

Dec. 6, 2011: Are a political power struggle and a sweetheart deal fueling the city’s push to privatize the summer music festivals?

Nov. 9, 2011: More on the affairs at Cultural Affairs