Resolution Celebrating Chicago's Cultural Plan
WHEREAS, great cities have great arts and culture; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago since its incorporation in 1837 has served as a hub of creativity, innovation, and cultural vibrancy; and
WHEREAS, Chicago's architecture, theater, dance, fine art, music, food, and festivals are world-renowned civic strengths and contribute greatly to the city's economy and its people; and
WHEREAS, in 2012 the City of Chicago unveiled a comprehensive Cultural Plan to guide the City's cultural growth and reinforce Chicago as a global destination for creativity, innovation and excellence in the arts; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Cultural Plan ("Plan") was the result of a robust public engagement process that included a series of town halls, neighborhood meetings and workshops, and the input of thousands of Chicagoans; and
WHEREAS, the Plan includes a bold vision for Chicago's future where the arts are accessible to all, artists thrive, cultural activities are abundant in every neighborhood, and residents and visitors alike can experience Chicago's vibrant arts scene; and
WHEREAS, the Plan identifies four broad, overarching categories for enriching and ensuring a vibrant cultural future for Chicago: People, Places, Policies, and Planning Culturally; and
WHEREAS, the Plan recognizes culture and the arts as essential to Chicago's economic growth and neighborhood vitality and outlines a broad framework for the role of culture in civic life; and
WHEREAS, the implementation of the Plan builds on Chicago's rich cultural history, improves access to arts education for children and adults, increases the presence of the arts in Chicago's many neighborhoods, and furthers the work and impact of artists and creative enterprises across the city; and
WHEREAS, the Plan is a call to action for all stakeholders participating in and benefiting from culture, and requires Chicago's residents and public, private, and non-profit sectors to work together to help strengthen our cultural vibrancy; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council recognizes that the endorsement of this Plan is another step toward its implementation and support for culture and the arts is an investment in Chicago that will pay dividends for generations to come; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this October 8, 2014 do hereby support the full implementation of the Chicago Cultural Plan and its recommendations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that City departments and sister agencies integrate culture into everyday business by aligning Cultural Plan initiatives with City departmental and agency work plans and budgets; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, applaud the people and organizations in every neighborhood across the city who contribute to Chicago's vibrant cultural identity.