Chicago Is A Music Mecca, Says New Culture Czar

Chicago Blues
The Blues Foundation
Chicago Blues
The Blues Foundation

Chicago Is A Music Mecca, Says New Culture Czar

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

From the blues of Muddy Waters to iconic storefront theaters, from the birth of house music to the home of slam poetry, Chicago has always been a city of innovation, creativity and the arts. 

But cultivating the arts scene here has been an uphill battle in recent years. Hear why Chicago music is not just Chance The Rapper’s upcoming South Side festival.  

Mark Kelly, the recently-appointed commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, announced Monday that he plans to update the city’s cultural plan. In this way, Kelly said he can remind Chicago of its rich history in the arts, especially when it comes to music. Morning Shift sits down for a one-on-one with Kelly to talk about Chicago’s rich musical history and his plans for continuing that tradition