City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
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Recent News About City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events View More
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Chicago seeks new Poet Laureate with applications open until May 29
Mayor Brandon Johnson, in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Chicago Public Library (CPL), and the Poetry Foundation, has opened applications for the position of Chicago’s next Poet Laureate.
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Chicago Blues Festival returns with line-up including Mavis Staples and Bobby Rush
The City of Chicago, together with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), has revealed the lineup for the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival, happening from June 5 to June 8.
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Chicago welcomes six new members to its Cultural Advisory Council
Six new members have been appointed to the Cultural Advisory Council of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) in Chicago.
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Chicago announces lineup for spring-summer festivals featuring music shows
Mayor Brandon Johnson, in collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), unveiled the 2025 lineup for Chicago's spring and summer festivals and events.
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Chicago announces awardees for New Play Residency during Theatre Week
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced the recipients of the Chicago Cultural Center New Play Residency.
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Chicago announces return of New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular
Mayor Brandon Johnson, in collaboration with the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), has announced the return of the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Chicago River.
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Chicago celebrates holidays with tree lighting and ice skating
More than 100,000 visitors have experienced the holiday displays at Millennium Park in Chicago.
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Chicago supports neighborhood holiday activations with new initiatives
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Choose Chicago, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the continuation of a program to support holiday activations in various neighborhoods.
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Chicago Architecture Biennial announces tenth anniversary theme with new artistic director
The Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is set to mark its tenth anniversary with the announcement of CAB 6: Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change.
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Chicago unveils plans for annual Christmas celebrations at Millennium Park
Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), has announced further details for Chicago's 2024 holiday traditions at Millennium Park.
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Midway Airport unveils new public art installations celebrating Chicago's diverse culture
Today, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, alongside the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), inaugurated new public art installations at Midway International Airport. This event marks the introduction of various pieces from the City of Chicago's Public Art Collection as part of an ongoing exhibition to highlight the city's cultural diversity and influence on American art. Featured artists include photographer Jonathan Michael Castillo and illustrator Steve Musgrave. The artworks are strategically placed for...
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Chicago announces finalists for 2024 music showcase finale
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with Next Showcase USA, have announced the 15 finalists for the 2024 DCASE Chicago Made Music Showcase Finale. The event is scheduled for October 19 at the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater.
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City of Chicago opens nominations for official Christmas Tree
The City of Chicago is now accepting nominations for its official 2024 Christmas Tree. Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are seeking a tree to be displayed in Millennium Park at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. Nominations from the Chicagoland area can be submitted via email to dcase@cityofchicago.org until Monday, October 14 at 8 pm.
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Chicago celebrates The Warehouse with landmark dedication block party
Choose Chicago, the Frankie Knuckles Foundation, Robert Williams, and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced a celebration to honor The Warehouse, a venue recognized as the birthplace of House Music. The Warehouse Landmark Dedication Block Party is scheduled for October 5 on South Jefferson Street in Chicago. This event coincides with the 40th anniversary of House Music and aims to celebrate Chicago's role in its history.
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Chicago awards over $4M in grants to nonprofit arts organizations
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced grants totaling over $4 million to 185 nonprofit arts organizations in Chicago. These grants are part of the City of Chicago’s 2024 CityArts Program, which aims to support local arts organizations across various disciplines.
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Chicago announces lineup for World Music Festival
CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the music lineup for World Music Festival Chicago, scheduled from September 20 to 29. The festival will feature ten consecutive days of live global music across eleven venues citywide, showcasing 31 artists representing 16 countries and regions, including seven local music groups.
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Chicagoland musicians invited to audition for 2024 music showcase
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in collaboration with Next Showcase USA, have announced open auditions for the 2024 Chicago Made Music Showcase. The program, operated by DCASE, aims to support local creatives by connecting aspiring artists in Chicagoland with resources necessary for success in the music, film, and creative industries. Musicians are invited to audition for a chance to perform before industry experts and compete for networking opportunities, performance slots, or the $10,000 grand prize.
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Mayor unveils new artist-designed train wraps on CTA lines
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced several public art projects to be completed this summer and fall. These include a neighborhood murals initiative and unique artwork by Chicago artists on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue, Green, and Orange lines. The artist-designed CTA train wraps will be on display starting in mid-August, alongside many neighborhood murals created by mainly Chicago-based artists in collaboration with community organizations. These murals will be installed at public sites in...
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Mayor announces week-long celebration showcasing chicago's culture at daley plaza
CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced the commercial corridor activation, “Celebrating Chicago at Daley Plaza.” The week-long celebration will take place at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, and is free to the public. This event is designed to showcase Chicago’s neighborhoods in the heart of downtown to both residents and visitors. The first-ever multi-day activation celebrates the city's rich diversity of...
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City announces full lineup for 2024 Taste of Chicago
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the full food vendor and music lineup for this year’s downtown edition of Taste of Chicago, set to take place from September 6 to 8 in Grant Park. The event will feature 40 food vendors, more than a dozen food trucks, and free performances by notable artists such as GRAMMY®-winning singer CeeLo Green, regional Mexican music trio Yahritza y Su Esencia, and Australian alternative rock group Atlas Genius on the Taste Main Stage.