Chicago Mergers in the Arts

On Wednesday, January 19th, Lois Weisberg--Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) in Chicago--announced her retirement from the position that she has held since 1989. Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed her to the position after she had served for six years as the Executive Director of then Mayor Harold Washington's Office of Special Events (MOSE). Weisberg has been a champion for the arts playing a major role in such initiatives as the "Cows on Parade" citywide public art display, the World Music Festival, the Chicago Cultural Center, Millenium Park, and countless other projects. At the age of 85, she has decided to end her tenure with the DCA because of this month's merger between her department and MOSE. Weisberg said, "My intimate knowledge of the inner workings of (the Mayor's Office of Special Events) from the time I served as its Executive Director during the Harold Washington administration coupled with my years as Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs makes it impossible for me to assume the leadership of this merged entity."

First, what's the difference between these two entities? According to the City of Chicago's website, the DCA's mission is to "promote ongoing celebration of the arts, serve the individuals and institutions who create and sustain them, and market the city’s abundant cultural resources to a worldwide audience." It offers more than 2,000 free arts events--exhibitions, performances, and programs--each year at venues throughout the city. On the other hand, MOSE "provides Chicagoans and visitors with year-round family style entertainment, by producing and promoting free festivals and city-wide holiday celebrations," such as the Taste of Chicago, the Air & Water Show, and more. While the missions of the two departments are similar, they are quite different. The DCA is more focused on initiatives that offer the public access to free public art and that preserve the city's culture. MOSE focuses on providing entertainment and tourist attractions.

So, why the merger? The merger is part of Daley's plan to eliminate costs and close a supposed $655 million budget gap. The merger has been under scrutiny, and it is apparent that Weisberg is not in favor of the change. She has also vocalized her opposition to the proposed privatization of the Taste of Chicago and other summer festivals like the Blues Festival and the Jazz Festival. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that, over the past three years, the city had lost about $7 million on these admission fee-free music festivals. In response, MOSE released a Request for Proposal for private companies to bid and make plans to privatize the festivals. Only one company submitted a bid.

Celebrate Chicago LLC is comprised of the Illinois Restaurant Association, JAM Productions, and AEG Live. Their plan proposes to charge a $20 admission fee to the Taste of Chicago as well as up to a $65 concert fee for the “big name” music acts. The festival began in 1980 and while attendees must pay for food and drinks as they wish to consume, admission to the musical acts has always been free of charge. One may assume that the biggest draw for millions of people each year, other than the food, is the free concerts. Mayor Daley is opposed to charging for the event. He thinks that the festival, which was originally focused on food, should return to that focus and move away from its most recent concentration on music. He thinks that in order to cut costs, the big name acts should be eliminated and live music should be provided by local acts.

The selection committee is reviewing Celebrate Chicago’s proposal and has not made a decision about whether or not they will accept the bid. MOSE’s Executive Director said that if the private sector could not deliver an adequate bid, the summer festivals would face huge cuts in order to save as many events as possible. So the city has a choice to make. To privatize the city’s most heavily attended events of the summer or not? How will this decision affect attendance, city support, and tourism? Will it change the quality and nature of the music we typically hear at these festivals? How will it impact the Mayor’s budget and that of the DCA/MOSE?

This policy discussion will continue under the city's new leadership come May. Mayor Daley has certainly influenced the Chicago arts and culture scene since assuming his post, but will the next Mayor prioritize the arts in the same way? Will he or she support the privatization of the Taste of Chicago and other summer festivals? Will the DCA/MSOE get the financial and human resources support it needs to continue its impact on the city? That remains to be seen.

Sources:

City's Culture Guru Leaving Amid Rift with Daley

More on the Chicago arts department Merger

Lone bid for Taste of Chicago charges admission

City of Chicago