The health and safety of our visitors, event attendees and staff members remain our highest priority. As such, we are closely monitoring developments around the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) and sharing safeguards and best practices as outlined by federal health authorities and state and local officials.

The COVID-19 outbreak is having an enormous economic impact on our local arts community. The City of Chicago and DCASE are proud partners and contributors to the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund – providing financial relief to workers and organizations in the creative industries impacted by COVID-19. Apply and donate at www.ArtsforIllinois.org. Please also visit DCASE's COVID-19 Arts Community Resources – a partial list of the many local and national efforts to support our artists and arts organizations.

Following recommendations from the CDC and the guidance of City and State officials, DCASE has announced the following:

• Special Event permits will not be issued for parades, athletic events or neighborhood festivals through May 30.
• The Chicago Film Office is not issuing permits for filming through May 30.
• DCASE venues include Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Clarke House Museum, Expo 72 and the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower are closed to the public. All events and programs are canceled through May 30.
• The opening of Chicago City Markets (scheduled for May 7) has been postponed until after May 30. Maxwell Street Market is closed through May 30.
• The Chicago Memorial Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony (scheduled for May 23) is canceled.
• Chicago In Tune, including the 4th Annual Chicago House Music Conference & Festival (scheduled for May 21–24), the 35th Chicago Gospel Music Festival (scheduled for May 27–30) and the 37th Annual Chicago Blues Festival (scheduled for June 5–7), is canceled.
• The Year of Chicago Music will extend into 2021.

Plans for summer programming and events remain under discussion. The City of Chicago will continue to work closely with our partners at the State to adopt protocols based on the recommendations and guidance of health experts.

Please refer to the Chicago Department of Public Health’s website chicago.gov/coronavirus, for the latest local updates on the response to COVID-19.