Marc van Bree - Cultural Affairs and Public Relations

Cultural Affairs

A guide to arts advocacy, media and resources in Chicago

Chapter I - Environment
Chapter II - Resources
Chapter III - Media
Chapter IV - Volunteers

Featured blog posts on Dutch Perspective

Appreciating Music By Making A Connection
World Classical Music
Dvorak and the Goo Goo Dolls
Yo-Yo Ma on Cultural Advocacy
A Survey of Classical Music Critics
Nothing More Constant Than Theater Audience
Importing and Exporting Arts

Chapter I - Environment

An introduction to the arts environment in Chicago

Non-profit arts organizations are a $134 billion industry and support nearly five million full-time jobs in the United States alone. With more than $53.2 billion spent annually in communities throughout the country, these organizations leverage another $80.8 billion in spending by arts audiences—spending it on valuable local businesses. In Cook County, there are 10,269 arts businesses, employing 85,650 people.

These arts business activities go hand in hand with the millions of Americans who sing in choirs, act in community theaters, paint, write or create. Both commercial and non-commercial arts activities have an enormous impact in the quality of life, helping to define identities and characters of cities and neighborhoods, and contributing to economies and community development.

Chicago demonstrates quite aptly what the arts can mean for a city. In its relatively short history, the city has grown into a place with a cultural arsenal that can compete with any other city in the world. This world class is demonstrated by renowned institutions such as The Art Institute, which has one the best impressionist collections in the world; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, one of the top orchestras in the world; the Lyric Opera of Chicago, one of the leading opera companies in the world; and other superlative organizations such as Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, The Field Museum, and many, many more.

World class and superlative mean nothing without a strong community focus. All abovementioned institutions have elaborate educational and community programs and local arts organizations, including the Chicago Historical Museum, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Victory Gardens Theater, and Live Bait Theater, are strongly rooted in Chicago.

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago lists more incredible institutions.

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,896,016 people, 1,061,928 households, and 632,909 families residing in the city of Chicago proper. The Web site of the City of Chicago is a good resource to find out demographics of Chicago and its communities.

There are reports outlining community areas and there are reports outlining market profiles of various neighborhoods.

Chapter II - Resources

News, advocacy and policy resources for classical music and few other art forms

American Symphony Orchestra League
Opera America
Americans for the Arts
The Center for Arts Policy at Columbia College
Music Critic’s Association of North America
Meet the Music

Arts & Business Council of Chicago
Chicago Artists' Coalition
Chicago Artists Resource
Chicago Classical Music
City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs
Community Media Workshop
Donors Forum of Chicago
League of Chicago Theatres

Illinois Arts Alliance
Illinois Arts Council

Musical America
Grove Music Online
Arts Journal

Chapter III - Media

Chicago print media

There are countless of community and ethnic newspapers, ranging from Irish American News to Chinese American News and Pakistan Journal of Chicago. Most suburban community newspapers are distributed by a handful of publishers including Pioneer Press and Suburban Chicago Newspapers. Listed here is a small selection; for a comprehensive guide, have a look at Getting On The Air & Into Print from Community Media Workshop.

Chicago Tribune | daily, metro Chicago
Chicago Tribune is one of the country's leading newspapers, and arguably the leading publication in the Midwest. Founded in 1847, the Tribune has a daily circulation of over 600,000 according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

Chicago Sun-Times | daily, metro Chicago
Chicago Sun-Times is the city's second largest newspaper and has a daily circulation of over 380,000 according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation.

TimeOut Chicago | weekly, metro Chicago
TimeOut Chicago is a weekly magazine with feature stories and extensive listings of books, clubs, comedy, dance, film, gay and lesbian, kids, music, sports and theater. Its focus is on a younger and urban audience.

Chicago Reader | weekly, metro Chicago
The Chicago Reader offers a free weekly comprehense guide to Chicago theater, arts, music and film. Its focus is features rather than news, with a special emphasis on urban issues and politics, arts and culture, and literary journalism, capturing contemporary city life.

Pioneer Press | Local and suburban communities
Suburban Chicago News | Suburban communities

Chicago broadcast media

Chapter IV - Volunteers

How volunteers can play an advocacy role for your organization

Volunteers fulfill an important ambassador role in an organization. They represent an organization before the public, media, and community leaders in a less observable and obvious, but no less important, way than employees or board members. In this way, volunteers can help raise an organization’s visibility, help the public understand what you do and why you do it, and spread positive news about the organization.

One of the most important and effective ways that volunteers can support an organization is by simply talking about the positive experiences they have had with the organization. Volunteers should not be shy in showing pride of their association with the organization; there are always opportunities to talk about the organization during a book club meeting, a family party, or maybe the alderman’s new year’s reception.

With busy schedules and lots of demand on free time, people sometimes just need a little nudge to experience what an organization has to offer, whether this is a fundraiser, an exhibition or a performance among many events. Volunteers are in the perfect position to invite their friend or neighbor on that extra ticket, or maybe even arrange for a group to attend. In many organizations, groups of six or less people already qualify for a group rate or discount.

Most volunteers are highly active and involved with a variety of work throughout the community. Those other organizations might be interested in hearing from your organization or in having a guest lecturer from your organization at their next event. Don’t forget bulletin boards or supplies of materials promoting events around town; if volunteers think they know an excellent spot for your materials, they should not hesitate to let you know about it.

Just as volunteers are being asked questions about your organization by friends and acquaintances, they should always be able to ask you questions if there is something they would like to know. Have a point person, maybe the public relations department, ready to answer any incoming questions from volunteers about the organization.

It would even be better to answer questions before they are asked. Hold regular meetings with volunteers to keep them up to date about what you are doing and why. Don’t shy away from difficult subjects; for example, if the organization is in the red, let volunteers know what steps are taken to balance the budget. It is better to answer difficult questions with a message from your organization than from speculation of volunteers, the public or media. If you keep volunteers well informed and involved, they will be more motivated and have a positive outlook no matter how difficult the questions may get.