Concurrently, under the directive of Mayor Emanuel, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) began the process to create a new Cultural Plan for Chicago. After more than 30 community-based planning sessions, hosted by DCASE, various stakeholders and residents throughout Chicago’s 50 wards indicated that arts education in our public schools was one of the top three priorities for the City.
With that directive from Chicago’s residents and momentum from the Cultural Plan planning process, CPS dedicated itself to creating a comprehensive Arts Education Plan. The CPS Arts Education Plan was developed through more than 25 community engagement sessions with key stakeholders including principals, teachers, parents, students, arts and cultural organizations and the general public.
The Arts Education Plan abstract was unveiled alongside the Chicago Cultural Plan in November of 2012. By marrying the vision of the Chicago Cultural Plan and goals of the CPS Arts Education Plan, the City of Chicago created a forceful vision for improving education for all Chicago Public School students.
As one of the largest school districts in the nation, Chicago now stands with its sister cities in prioritizing arts education for every student, in every school, with every art form, every day.