Meeting Minutes  >  Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Meeting minutes were approved at the Cultural Advisory Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park Room, 5th Floor North, 3 p.m.

Attendees:

Cultural Advisory Council ("CAC") Members:

Present: Chair Coya Paz, Alison Cuddy, Amina Dickerson, Juan Díes, Bob Faust, Brooke Flanagan, Esther Grimm, Akilah Halley, Josephine Lee, Bill Michel, Cesáreo Moreno, Margaret Murphy-Webb, Claire Rice, Vivian Teng, Omar Torres-Kortright, Kaoru Watanabe, Tanner Woodford, Debra Yepa-Pappan

Absent: Vice Chair Blake-Anthony Johnson, Robert Gomez, Kevin Iega Jeff, Tonika Lewis Johnson

Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ("DCASE") Staff:

Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth, Deputy Commissioner Tahira Baig, Deputy Commissioner Sangini Brahmbhatt, Deputy Commissioner Bria Purdiman, Assistant Commissioner Lisa Lorick, Zhen Heinemann, John Rich, Melanie Wang

Proceedings:

I. Welcome and Introduction

Coya Paz, Chair of the CAC at DCASE, welcomed attendees to the meeting held on February 25, 2025. She introduced herself and the purpose of the meeting, ensuring compliance with open meetings regulations. Paz confirmed that the CAC had received requests for public comment, and began the public comment period in accordance with the following:

• Speakers present on a first-come, first-served basis, as registered with DCASE.
• Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes. The total comment period is limited to no more than 15 minutes.

The one speaker present for public comment was Joanna Furnans. Furnans shared her appreciation for the opportunity to comment and for all that those in the room do for the arts system in Chicago. She shared that the work does not go unnoticed. Furnans proceeded to read the following remarks:

As an individual artist, as an arts leader, and a multi-year DCASE grantee and community partner, I would like to express my deep concern for what is reported to be toxic and dysfunctional behavior inside the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The recent articles in the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times have outlined unacceptable treatment of DCASE staff and constituents by Commissioner Hedspeth. 25 percent employee turnover. The removal of the department's FOIA logs, delays in grant payments and portal access, and a reluctance to communicate with community members regarding strategy, access, and the potential for coalition building or collaboration.

I'm concerned, and I know others are as well, about the current and long-term impact of these issues on our already struggling arts communities. Will the commissioner, whom I don't see at the moment, and/or the council respond to these concerns and please give us a sense of how these issues will be addressed going forward? Thank you.

At the completion of Furnans’ comment, Chair Paz thanked Furnans for the comment and shared that public participation at the CAC meeting is intended to provide residents and interested persons with the opportunity to comment on the issues or topics within the purview of the Council. From here, Chair Paz moved on to the agenda and business of the meeting.

II. Approval of the Meeting Minutes

Chair Paz requested the body vote on the minutes from the September 2024 meeting. Receiving no edits to the minutes as shared, the meeting minutes were approved.

III. DCASE Leadership Greetings and Introductions

Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth joined the meeting by video call and began her remarks by apologizing for the lack of communication about her not being at the meeting in person. She also shared that she had a hard stop. She then transitioned to sharing highlights of the department’s work. This included her excitement that during the budget process, DCASE secured an extra million dollars, and she thanked the group of people, one or two of whom were in attendance at the meeting, for their support in helping close some of the gap in the funds that are leaving DCASE’s budget.

She then went on to share her excitement about the launch of Experience DCASE, where DCASE is going out into the wards and meeting people where they are.

She shared that the following month, DCASE would be announcing a new film advisory group to expand on the work done and to address concerns that were brought up in other forums.

She confirmed that with the new funding the department would be working with members to make sure the resources go to artists.

From here, Commissioner Hedspeth transitioned to sharing her excitement for new members to be joining the CAC, individuals from foundations, artists, and well-respected businesspeople. She shared her excitement about continuing to work with and support what’s already been done, and the additional work that’s going to be done.

IV. DCASE Briefings

At the conclusion of Commissioner Hedspeth’s remarks, Zhen Heinemann (they/them), Director of Visitor Experience and Public Engagement, provided a transition to a presentation of their work in the department – projects that they lead and champion.

During a pause in the preparation of the slide deck, Brooke Flanagan directed a question to Chair Paz asking for a review of the agenda and calling for a motion to have a discussion during the “Next Steps” portion of the meeting.

The motion was seconded, and a vote was held. All were in favor of adding the discussion, which Chair Paz confirmed that she believed the body would have time for during the meeting.

Following this vote, Heinemann continued their update presentation on Visitor Experience, showcasing the breadth of work they undertake in the realm of visitor experience and public engagement:

• Open Houses – Four open houses take place each year at the Chicago Cultural Center. The first one in 2025 was announced for April 17, and has a Professional Development theme. The event will include things like head shots, portfolio reviews with local curators, Public Art 101 sessions, and ways for people to learn about DCASE opportunities.
• Under the Dome – Concerts that take place twice per year (April and October) that features only Chicago artists. The event also includes a free clothing swap.
• Learning Lab – Provides residency opportunities; artists can submit if they’d like to be considered for that opportunity.
• Welcome Center – this space on the Randolph side of the building features Neighborhood Cultural Spotlights, which is a publicly nominated award that intends to elevate culture that is happening in the city. The people, places, or things that are celebrated through the spotlights receive a small stipend and also lead programming on the first and third Friday and Saturday of the month. The exhibit is up for one year, June to June.
• Volunteers – DCASE has a volunteer pool of approximately 25 active individuals and the department is interested in having more and will be opening the call for new volunteers soon. Every year the department hosts a volunteer party and does professional development events for the volunteers.

Zhen Heinemann shared the QR code for the public nominations for Neighborhood Cultural Spotlights and shared that the upcoming deadline is in March. They also shared some of the featured groups, including SkyART and Pilar Audain.

Brooke Flanagan shared her excitement for these programs and asked if there was a social media bundle to share this information out; she reiterated that the body can help amplify messaging.

Heinemann responded by encouraging the body to share DCASE’s events and opportunities newsletters with their contacts – that these two newsletters provide all the materials for people to participate in and with DCASE and fulfill core values around being equitable and transparent. Heinemann then shared a QR code that individuals could use to sign up, which provided a transition to sharing information about the Chicago Cultural Center’s Cultural Community Rental Path, which allows cultural organizations and individual artists to access reduced room rates in the Chicago Cultural Center to produce free programming. Heinemann also highlighted that organizations like United Voices, CLATA and After School Matters are tenants in the building.

Finally, Heinemann shared that they are the accessibility officer for DCASE and that that means that they are the point person for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities to talk about accessibility for spaces, festivals. Heinemann shared that they are IACPP certified and attends conferences annually. They then shared new 3D models of the two domes for blind and low vision guests to access, and invited attendees to connect with them about any questions about accessibility.

Following Heinemann’s presentation, John Rich (he/him), Dance and Theatre Coordinator, shared his enthusiasm for presenting on the work that he has been honored and privileged to lead at DCASE – researching, developing and managing residency programs in dance and theatre.

Rich continued to share information on the Dance Studio Residency and the New Play Residency, which deliver crucial funding and material support to Chicago artists, producers, and organizations to develop new dance and movement-based works, text-based plays and musical theatre. He shared the origins of this work in the Year of Chicago Dance in 2022, which provided concentrated focus on resourcing artists with time, space and funding to make new work. The success led to the pilot program in new play development, which took place in 2023, and then the most recent launch, in 2025 with a festival format of new plays and musicals in the Chicago Cultural Center.

Rich shared that more than half a million dollars has been directed to artists, funding 26 projects in total, 18 of those being dance and 8 in theatre. He shared further details of each program:

• Dance Studio Residency – this residency understands and respects that dance takes many forms, from dance to movement-based work, including physical theater and circus arts. It includes $25,000 and 80 hours of rehearsal time, and takes place in the dance studio, which has a multipurpose floor for all forms of dance. This program is funded in part by grants from the Walder Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts.
• New Plays Residency – this residency is a model where producers submit on behalf of dramatists. It’s a more compact experience and offers $12,000 for a play and 25 hours of rehearsal time, and up to $16,000 for a musical and 35 hours of rehearsal time. The residency takes place in the studio theater in the back of the Department of Family and Support Service’s Renaissance Court, a shared space.

John Rich continued to talk about the importance of these programs to create spaces for experimentation and risk, and also to acknowledge the labor of making performance, and how it needs to be compensated. The residencies position the Cultural Center as an asset for artists and makes a home for audiences to experience new work. He shared images from the recent festival, highlighting public engagement between artists and audiences, including images from presentations by Nikki Carpenter and Spencer Tool. Rich shared that new applications for the residencies would be opening later this spring, and encouraged everyone again to sign up for the opportunities newsletter and to visit the website and follow on social media.

Zhen Heinemann then asked the body if they had any questions.

Vivian Teng asked if there were other dates for the Open Houses.

Heinemann confirmed the April 17 date and then shared that there would be a House-related Open House in August, a September date associated with Ragamala (September 26), and then one on December 13.

Brooke Flanagan commended the work to support artists and new work. She shared the thanks of the theater sector and emphasized that it would be good to see more of this work.

Amina Dickerson directed a question to Chair Paz, asking if the staff in attendance could do a quick round robin to share their names and roles, acknowledging that there were some staff who were known to the body and others that were new.

Chair Paz agreed and staff in the room shared their introductions:

• Bria Purdiman, Deputy Commissioner of Communications, most recently with the Mayor’s Office.
• Lisa Lorick, Assistant Commissioner of DCASE Human Resources
• Tahira Baig, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Development
• Sangini Brahmbhatt (she/her/hers), Deputy Commissioner of Programming
• Frayne Lewis, Senior Policy of Music, DCASE
• Zhen Heinemann (they/them), DCASE Director of Experience and Public Engagement
• Sandra Carrera, Cultural Affairs Coordinator of the Chicago farmer's market program.
• Lydia Ross, Senior Strategist in Visual Arts division.
• Amanda Carlson (she/her) Senior Strategist, Cultural Grants, Resources and Arts Education
• Meida McNeal (she/her), Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Grants and Resources and Arts Education
• Susan Friel (she/her), Arts Education
• Jimmy Castillo, Public Art Director
• Melanie Wang, Program Director for Cultural Grants
• Laura Trejo Lozano, Director for Cultural Resources, which includes professional development and community engagement
• Natalia Salazar, Chicago Film Office, Policy Analyst
• Christine Jacob, corporate sponsorships
• Mark Hackman (he/him/his), social media
• Lionel Melgar, Data Services Administrator

With no further questions for Zhen Heinemann and John Rich, Chair Paz proceeded to the next section of the agenda.

V. Next Steps

As voted on earlier in the meeting, Chair Paz turned the conversation to CAC member questions about programming.

Bill Michel began by with a question for the Council and DCASE about what was happening in Washington and around NEA funding – what the members of the council were hearing and how the Council thinks about continuous work for artists and others as support shifts. He asked whether there was any expected impact on city support in the next year, or how that’s being considered.

Zhen Heinemann responded that nothing had been shared about the topic and that we are continuing to operate with the belief that since resources were allocated, they would be coming our way.

Brooke Flanagan (she/her) followed by reintroducing herself to those in attendance, Executive Director of the Steppenwolf Theatre, and reiterated her appreciation for all of the work that the commissioner and the department are doing. She shared that she had been reminded of the formation of the Council and that the intent is to serve as a conduit between the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the artist and arts organizations of Chicago. She clarified that the work is not that of a board, nor of a governance authority, but that the work is to ensure clear and transparent communication, trust between the department and the constituents within the city, and then the artist and arts organization community, and also that we can activate in any way the goals and strategies that the Mayor, commissioner and team have.

She shared that the opportunity of this moment as a city is to show what supporting arts and arts organizations can look like in our nation. She stated that this is the time where our community needs to know that the City of Chicago is showing up for them and is going to protect our ability to not only to sustain but to scale the act of democracy that is art in action.

Flanagan then called for a motion that the Council have the ability to work with the Commissioner and team between this February meeting and the June Council meeting to develop an active strategy for the CAC that supports the department and the activation of the department’s strategies. She then asked Chair Paz if she would be able to call for such a motion.

Chair Paz responded that it was possible to call for a motion, but that she wanted to ask for clarity on what the path for action on such an item would be with leadership, as she did not want to call for motions that are not actionable. She stated that the Council could move that this is something they would like to do, but could not mandate it, as the Council is not a governing body. She returned the question to Flanagan asking if she would like to call for such a motion.

Brooke Flanagan responded that, regardless of being a governing body or not, it would be helpful to the Council to have a clear sense of how the department wanted the Council to be in support of, or a conduit, to answering questions raised during public comment. She said that there is a void that is both awkward and antithetical to building trust with the community. Reiterating that the Council is not a governing body, Flanagan identified that there are mechanisms in the department and City to respond, but, that with the loud call of concern, the Council needed clarity from the department to advise the Council on how to represent the department.

Amina Dickerson followed by saying that the work of the Council is a two-way street with the department; the Council does not just receive information, but serves as a pathway between what is happening in the community of artists and the concerns that they have. She emphasized that the Council has been hearing a lot, but that there isn’t an organized structure to address the concerns that the Council is hearing from the artistic community. Dickerson stated that the role of the Council is to provide guidance, input, ideas and strategies to address these issues. She underscored Bill Michel’s comments about this moment of crisis and shared that there are organizations that are profoundly struggling, and that in this time we [the Council, department, City] should provide care, counsel and other means of support to a struggling economy. Dickerson finished by expressing her appreciation for the great work, but asked about where the input of the Council is represented, and about where and how the Council provides input and direction for the concerns to be addressed in the months ahead.

Claire Rice with Arts Alliance Illinois shared context about the NEA – that about $6 million of funding from the NEA is at risk in Illinois. She shared that the new compliance requirements for the NEA are causing concern and confusion, and that this underscores the importance of DCASE and the funding it provides. Rice shared that DCASE grants are some of the most equitable sources of funding for arts and culture organizations and individual artists. As the NEA does not fund individual artists, DCASE grants are hugely important. She emphasized the need to think about the impact of federal dollars for cultural organizations and those in BIPOC communities, and the pressure that could come to state and city budgets. Rice continued by underscoring Flanagan’s comment – that this is a unique time for DCASE and the city to demonstrate its commitment to arts, culture and creativity. She asked about considering a funding pool to respond this moment, and thinking in the next budget process about restoring cuts to the grants budget, and showing people here in Chicago, in DC and nationwide that the City of Chicago deeply supports arts and artists.

Esther Grimm followed by saying that the work must start here at the agency. That everyone on the Council joined to be activated and to give input to assist. She finished by saying that “we” need to stand up together and figure this thing out.

Alison Cuddy introduced herself to the attendees and thanked them for being present. She expressed appreciation for the work of the department. She then shared context that many on the Council began their service on the body weeks before the pandemic, and that the body became very effective in working with the department closely in the face of catastrophe. She shared that many are feeling that they are in a kind of political pandemic and are in need of support. She emphasized that the Council wants to be part of the conversation of what this looks like in this critical moment. She shared that in that prior moment of catastrophe that the Mayor attended and that the Council was in dialogue with the Mayor. She shared that it would be appropriate for the Mayor to attend a Council meeting and have a more robust conversation with the Commissioner to understand the work moving forward.

Zhen Heinemann responded thanking those who shared comments and then asked for Councilmembers with specific questions to direct those questions through the Chair; that the Council as a group could pull their questions together and put them through the Chair to receive a written response.

Brooke Flanagan responded that she respected that there is a process, but that the discussion that the Council was having – as a body with a charter in the city code that defines their responsibilities – was a discussion in response to how the department would like to activate the members so that the members can have a better sense of their role in conjunction with the department. She stated that what is being asked is that by the June meeting, the department provide guidance about how the Council is activated and their role.

Zhen Heinemann then shared that that is a question that should go through the Chair.

Chair Paz asked if this was about whether the Council passes the motion.

Brooke Flanagan clarified that there was a motion. That the motion was, if agreed to by the Council, that it would like direction on the strategy and work of the Council by the June 10 meeting.

She went on to clarify that the motion is asking “what is the job of the Council.” She stated she knows what it says in the code, that she appreciates the updates and reports, but that the Council is there to work and what it is asking for is guidance on how to be activated in partnership with the department.

Zhen Heinemann clarified that what was desired was an understanding of how the Council will be activated, as well as to receive a response by the June meeting.

Brooke Flanagan responded that ideally there would be small working groups to work with the DCASE team and Commissioner to work through how all are working in partnership to better Chicago artists and arts organizations.

Zhen Heinemann reiterated that such a question or proposal would need to go through the Chair in writing.

Brooke Flanagan responded that that is why she framed it as a motion, to see if she had consensus from her peers.

Chair Paz confirmed that the motion was on the table and asked if there was a second. There was a second.

Zhen Heinemann stated that they were unclear about the motion.

Chair Paz clarified and confirmed that what is being asked by the Council is to develop a very clear work plan that activates members of the Council in service of both current DCASE initiatives and also how we are supporting artists and arts organizations in a time where there is a lot of concern around federal mandates. She shared that she had repeatedly hears from councilmembers about how underutilized they felt, and that they are volunteers, taking time off work, paying for parking, that there is an opportunity being lost. That it is important to be maximizing the potential of the body. The Council is asking for a very clear plan about how DCASE and the Commissioner and leadership would like to use the CAC. She emphasized the disappointment that she had heard from members in the agenda for the meeting, which did not include time for public discussion. Chair Paz finished by saying that what the members are asking for is a real working plan to be developed between the February meeting and June because the body wants to be of service in real ways.

Amina Dickerson shared that the body is charged to be of service – that that is the nature of the appointment. She stated that the body wants to dispatch its responsibility to the arts community and DCASE.

Chair Paz agreed with Dickerson but shared that the body is also dispatched by the Commissioner, and so that it needs to hear about the needs and desires. She continued by sharing that the body and its members are offering their experience and passion and that they are feeling this crisis moment. She then asked what the tangible outcome of this motion can be, but emphasized that it was clear that the CAC collective was interested in this.

Juan Díes followed by saying that this conversation felt like a policy issue, and that what he was understanding that Flanagan was looking for endorsements, to see if there was support from others. And that, if phrased in such a way, that it might go forward more smoothly.

Zhen Heinemann again sought clarity about the possibility and function of a motion.

Brooke Flanagan rephrased the motion stating, “May I have a motion to gain consensus from the CAC that our desired outcome by the June 10 meeting of the Council is a strategic plan for activation of the Council by the Commissioner and staff of DCASE.”

Alison Cuddy asked that the motion include space in the upcoming agenda for the Council to engage with DCASE leadership.

Brooke Flanagan said that that could be a separate motion. That the first motion would be the aforementioned request.

Juan Díes clarified that it would be an endorsement.

Brooke Flanagan affirmed it would be an endorsement of the request.

Juan Díes seconded. The motion for the endorsement of the request for a strategic plan of how the Council be activated from the Commissioner and department passes unanimously.

Alison Cuddy requested that in the agenda for the June 10 and September 23 meeting there be ample time for the Council to engage with leadership.

Amina Dickerson asked for clarification on what leadership meant.

Alison Cuddy clarified that leadership meant the Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Mayor, if possible. Cuddy asked for a second.

The request was endorsed.

Brooke Flanagan asked if all were in favor.

There was a question about process and whether such a request needed a second.

Brooke Flanagan followed by putting into the record that there was not a formal response to public comment and that her understanding is that the public concern over HR and FOIA matters would be heard by DCASE staff and managed through the City’s appropriate channels.

Zhen Heinemann followed by saying that both of those requests would come through the Chair to the Commissioner, and provided a time warning of nine minutes.

Chair Paz underscored that the preceding conversation was an uncomfortable one, but emphasized that there was not a single CAC member nor person working at DCASE that doesn’t have a deep commitment to arts and culture in Chicago. She stated that what was being heard in this moment of precariousness was to be of use, and to do that collaboratively. She finished by asking if there were any other questions.

A question was shared about if anyone knew who the new CAC appointments would be.

Chair Paz shared that they are still pending approval and so information had not yet been shared until confirmed.

Zhen Heinemann shared that the question could come through the Chair.

Amina Dickerson shared that the process of putting information through the Chair was new, and that there was now a new way for the voices of members to not be heard directly, but filtered. That the Chair now holds the responsibility for being the interlocutor between DCASE, the Commissioner and the Council. She asked when and why this change had been made.

Chair Paz shared that that role had never been stated to her formally, nor as a function of her role. She shared that previously she and Blake Anthony would meet with the Commissioner and other leadership to plan the meeting, but that the process had changed. She reiterated that this new process of information going through the Chair was new to her.

Brooke Flanagan asked if there are other written guidelines that the Council should be made aware of.

Zhen Heinemann shared that for this meeting all questions should be directed to the Chair.

Amina Dickerson asked again why this was.

Zhen Heinemann stated that because neither they nor John could answer questions, they wanted to make sure all the questions are put together, and that having them written allows them to be presented correctly.

Brooke Flanagan followed to asked if the new process was due to the Commissioner not being in the room, as a conflict prevented her from being there in person.

Zhen Heinemann said that that was not, and that the questions needed to come in writing so that they could come in the way that the Council wants them to come. They then noted that there were five minutes left.

Chair Paz indicated that there was one more comment and shared that the meeting was being recorded, so that the questions would be on the record.

Esther Grimm began by saying that her comments were neither a motion nor a request. She shared her feeling of distress because the next meeting was not for three plus months and that the discussion was about the state of crisis in the arts, and that nothing has been heard from DCASE. She wanted in the record the urgency and that the beloved City department of arts and culture has to be where it starts. That this all has to proceed more quickly.

Chair Paz thanked the Council, expressed appreciation for their enthusiasm and underscored that at the heart of the discussion was the deep concern, care and passion for the work they all do.

Finally, Chair Paz closed by saying the comments would be part of the minutes, that she would send emails between now and June, and that the next meetings were scheduled for Tuesday, June 10 and September 23. She then encouraged everyone to follow the information shared earlier in the meeting to follow the wonderful programs and opportunities, and shared that she was looking forward to all of the ways that people with activate and form coalitions to get through this current moment.

VI. Adjourn

With no further questions or comments, the meeting was adjourned.