CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER TO PROVIDE PERMANENT HOME
TO STORYCORPS BEGINNING THIS SPRING
National Nonprofit Oral History Project will Launch “StoryCorps Chicago”
Giving Chicagoans the Opportunity to Tell Their Stories
The
already storied history of the Chicago Cultural Center is about to be
even greater. StoryCorps, the national nonprofit oral history
organization, will launch a new program, StoryCorps Chicago, at the
Chicago Cultural Center, (78 E. Washington) this spring.
In
partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
(DCASE) and Chicago Public Media, StoryCorps Chicago will provide the
opportunity for anyone to record an interview with a loved one.
“Chicago
is such a vibrant, multi-cultural city,” said Michelle T. Boone, DCASE
Commissioner. “We have no doubt there is an abundance of fascinating
stories that can be shared by our citizens, and even the hundreds of
thousands of visitors we welcome annually. This program will capture,
record and share the personal reflections of family, love, immigration
and courage and preserve them for always.”
StoryCorps
Chicago will partner with a wide array of local organizations and
institutions to ensure that every Chicagoan has the opportunity to share
their story. Dynamic public events presented throughout the year will
celebrate the diverse communities that constitute the richness of our
city. StoryCorps Chicago will also have its own local series airing on
WBEZ 91.5, featuring stories collected through the project.
StoryCorps
Chicago will feature an exhibition area that will allow visitors to
listen to StoryCorps stories and watch a selection of StoryCorps
Animated Shorts, as well as learn more about how to participate in a
StoryCorps interview.
“The
idea behind StoryCorps was in many ways born in Chicago, and we are
thrilled to launch our Midwest hub at the Chicago Cultural Center,” says
Dave Isay, StoryCorps Founder. “StoryCorps is excited to give
Chicagoland the chance to record their stories for American history, and
to deliver our services to this great city for many years to come."
"WBEZ
and Dave Isay have a long history, dating back to the groundbreaking
production of Ghetto Life 101,” says Torey Malatia, president & CEO,
Chicago Public Media. “Our partnership to achieve
the
long-standing goal of placing a permanent StoryCorps booth in Chicago
is driven by a shared belief that we are all equal when we tell our
stories. Our stories are a window into both our
individuality
and the larger human experience. StoryCorps has proven to be wonderful
resource for sparking personal conversations that have the capacity to
impact us all. We're very pleased to have to opportunity to bring more
of StoryCorps to residents of our region."
Recordings will take place on Thursdays, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Reservations will open in the spring.
Exhibit hours will be the same as the Chicago Cultural Center hours. (www.chicagoculturalcenter.org
.)
Design
review and other preparations for the StoryCorps installation have
begun, and construction is scheduled to begin in the spring. StoryCorps
Chicago will be located on the Michigan Avenue side of the building,
just east of the Randolph Street Café and adjacent to the Michigan
Avenue Galleries which currently feature an exhibit by local artist
Claire Ashley entitled “frizzflopsqueezepop”. The future site of
StoryCorps Chicago most recently hosted a temporary exhibit-related
program associated with Industry of the Ordinary: Sic Transit Gloria
Mundi: the “small ordinary shop”, which featured the works of local
artisans.
Major
funding for StoryCorps is provided by the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting. Additional support provided by the Cancer Treatment
Centers of America. Local funding for StoryCorps Chicago comes from The
Joyce Foundation, The Boeing Corporation, Polk Bros Foundation, and the
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation.
StoryCorps
Chicago is the latest programming addition to the Chicago Cultural
Center which now includes a weekly DJ series called “Wired Fridays”, a
bi-monthly happening for the stroller set called “Juicebox” and
reinvigorated theater and dance programs.
# # #
About StoryCorps
StoryCorps’
mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the
opportunity to record, preserve, and share their stories. Each week,
millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps’ award-winning broadcasts on
NPR’s Morning Edition. StoryCorps has published three books: All There
Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps, Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from
StoryCorps and Listening Is an Act of Love —all of which are New York
Times best sellers. For more information, or to listen to stories
online, visit storycorps.org. Major funding for StoryCorps is provided
by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support provided
by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
About DCASE
The
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated
to promoting and supporting Chicago’s arts and culture sector. This
includes, but is not limited to: fostering the development of Chicago’s
nonprofit arts sector, independent working artists, and for-profit arts
businesses; presenting high-quality, free or low-fee cultural programs
accessible to residents and visitors; and marketing the City’s cultural
assets to local, regional, and global audiences. DCASE produces nearly
2,000 public programs, events and support services annually, generating
millions in economic benefits for the City of Chicago.
About WBEZ 91.5FM
One
of the country’s premiere public radio stations, WBEZ 91.5FM is
operated by Chicago Public Media, an institution that creates
award-winning content for people seeking to learn more about the issues
and ideas that affect our community, our nation, and our world. Chicago
Public Media produces programs such as This American Life, Wait,
Wait...Don’t Tell Me! (a co-production with NPR), Sound Opinions, The
Morning Shift, The Afternoon Shift, Worldview, and Radio M. Chicago
Public Media also operates Vocalo 89.5 FM, a next generation service
that seeks to expand the reach of public media. For more information,
visit www.wbez.org
.
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