CHICAGO 2016 PARTNERS WITH CHICAGO CULTURAL ALLIANCE
Joins collaboration to present the cross-cultural series "Bodies in Motion"
October 15, 2008
CHICAGO (October 13, 2008) - Today, Chicago 2016 announced it is partnering with the recently formed Chicago Cultural Alliance (CCA), a membership organization of Chicago's ethnic museums, cultural centers and many of the city's larger cultural institutions, to bring the series Bodies in Motion to Chicago this fall.
"The people of Chicago are one of the bid's greatest strengths," said Patrick G. Ryan, chairman and CEO of Chicago 2016. "Chicagoans hail from every corner of the globe, and we have a long tradition of celebrating and embracing our cultural heritage. By taking an active role in the CCA, Chicago 2016 can help build this important multicultural network as we prepare our bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games."
The CCA is the only organization of its kind in the United States and seeks to effect social change and build public understanding of cultural diversity with innovative programming and collaborations driven by Chicago's ethnic communities.
"This city loves its sports, and nothing captures our collective imagination like the magnificence of human potential on display through the Olympic Games," said CCA Board Member Jennifer Amdur Spitz. "By working with Chicago 2016, CCA can capture that imagination in programming, and contribute a whole new level of cross-cultural dialogue to enrich the Olympic experience."
The first collaboration between Chicago 2016 and the CCA is focused on Cultural Connections, a public-education program developed by the Field Museum to offer cross-cultural, public events based in an anthropological framework of "Common Concerns, Different Responses." The program also offers continuing professional development courses for Chicago Public School teachers.
Bodies in Motion explores the cultural significance of athletic activities for Chicago's different ethnic communities. The first event, "Going the Distance," will take place at the American Indian Center on Sunday, October 19. It is a collaborative effort between the American Indian Center and the Swahili Institute of Chicago and explores how "The Long Walk" and long-distance running uplift each respective community in spiritual, political and practical ways.
Cultural Connections: Bodies in Motion Series Schedule
October 19
Going the Distance
Collaboration between the Swahili Institute of Chicago and the American Indian Center
2:00 - 4:30 PM
American Indian Center
1630 W. Wilson, Chicago
November 8
Time to Spare
Collaboration between the Bronzeville/Black Chicagoan Historical Society and the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago
12:30 - 3:00 PM
Lincoln Square Lanes
4874 N. Lincoln Avenue
December 6
Going for Gold
Collaboration between the Chicago History Museum and the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center
11:30 AM - 2 PM
St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church
733 S. Ashland Avenue
###
About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee's board consists of business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as the organization's chairman and CEO.
About The Chicago Cultural Alliance
The Chicago Cultural Alliance is a consortium of over 25 ethnic museums and cultural centers and twelve institutional partners that was established in 2007. These museums and centers have worked together for several years through The Field Museum's Cultural Connections program. The partners built upon this collective experience, with stewardship from The Field Museum, to form the Alliance and became a fully independent 501(c)(3) organization in 2007. Cultural Connections has received generous support for the Bodies in Motion series from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Illinois Humanities Council and the Chicago Park District. Visit www.chicagoculturalalliance.org to learn more about our programs and partners.
Rebeccah Sanders
Interim Executive Director
Chicago Cultural Alliance
(773) 275-7004
rsanders@chicagoculturalalliance.org
Mica Matsoff
Chicago 2016
(312) 861-4826
media@chicago2016.org
Website: http://www.chicago2016.org
|
Recovering From the Fire
Next Steps for the Chinese American Museum of Chicago
October 1, 2008
The Chicago Cultural Alliance thanks our community for their great support of the Chinese Museum of Chicago (CAMOC).We are proud that a number of our CCA members and partners recruited volunteers to help with the move out of the museum last week. Despite the great damage suffered by the structure, the volunteers, led by staff from the Field Museum and Chicago History Museum, were able to salvage much of the collection from the first and second floors of the museum.
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago needs some assistance as they continue to forge ahead in their recovery efforts.
1. Finding a new warehouse space with HVAC and security
2. Space for sorting and re-accessioning items
3. Appraiser for items lost/damaged in fire with a focus on 3D objects, textiles, and wooden furniture
4. Conservation estimates
5. Office space
Any suggestions about these items can be directed to info@chicagoculturalalliance.org
Website: http://www.camla.org
|
CCA Receives Grant From Chicago Wilderness
July 2, 2008
The Chicago Cultural Alliance received a $9,500 grant from Chicago Wilderness's "Leave No Child Inside" initiative for the summer project "Youth Connecting Communities with Nature."
This project is between four Alliance core members seeking to increase the investment of their youth in nature and their communities' outdoor experiences while exploring cultural assets and social issues that link their communities to nature.
The four members participating include Bronzeville/Black Chicagoan Historical Society, Indo-American Center, Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture and Swedish American Museum Center.
These members will share the grant and will come together to share their projects at Barrio Art Fest 2008 on August 16th. The "Youth Connecting Communities with Nature" project was inspired by ECCo's* New Allies for Nature and Culture effort to build partnerships between organizations that work on environmental, social and cultural issues.
*ECCo (Environment, Culture, and Conservation) is a Division of Science at The Field Museum where Cultural Connections resides.
|
CCA Receives Award of Excellence
March 26, 2008
We are excited to announce that the Chicago Cultural Alliance has received an Award of Excellence for ongoing contributions to promoting ethnic cultures and heritages from Maria Pappas, Office of the Cook County Treasurer.
Congratulations CCA!
|
CCA Launch a Success!
Over 200 attend celebration in honor of the CCA
February 20, 2008
The official launch of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, which took place at the Chicago History Museum, came together in perfect harmony. Members and guests were able to mingle over a light breakfast surrounded by tables adorned with cultural textiles.
Following breakfast, guests were welcomed by the Executive Vice-president and Chief Historian of the Chicago History Museum, Russell Lewis and by the President of the CCA, Kerstin Lane. Congressman Rahm Emanuel also sent greetings and good wishes to the CCA by Karolina Zaczek. Joseph Podlasek, of the American Indian Center, provided information as to the formation of the CCA and Jorge Felix, of the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, introduced guests to the current projects of the CCA.
The program also featured readings done by poets Bassey Ikpi, Kelly Tsai, Mayda del Valle, and Marty McConnell, which were very electric performances. Please see below for links to the poems.
Anna Politkovskaya to Katie Couric By Marty McConnell
Making Guacamole By Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (www.yellowgurl.com)
|