A Conversation With Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Mark Kelly

WDCB’s Gary Zidek sits down with DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly for a conversation about 2019 and what’s ahead in 2020.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Mark Kelly about 2019 and what's to come in 2020.

“Mayor Lightfoot, when she was a candidate for Mayor, she was the only candidate that put forth an arts and culture agenda and very specifically spoke about the importance of arts and culture. She was elected Mayor, and since then I’ve felt nothing but support from her and her staff, I think the best evidence of that is the one million dollar increase in our cultural grants budget, that’s a 60% increase. We had $1.7 million, now we have $2.7 million. I read that as a vote of confidence in what we’re doing.” - Mark Kelly, DCASE Commissioner talking about Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s commitment to the arts.

DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly

DCASE Commissioner Mark Kelly says he’s happy with everything that was accomplished during the city’s “Year of Chicago Theatre” in 2019. And he’s excited about what’s to come in 2020 during the “Year of Chicago Music”.

You can find more information about what’s going on by visiting the city’s DCASE webpage here.