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CHICAGO CULTURAL MILE

The stretch on Michigan Avenue between Chicago River and Roosevelt Road together with the Museum Campus form the Chicago Cultural Mile. It has various cultural institutions including museums, parks, theaters, sculptures, monuments and is venue for many cultural events. The year 2014 was declared as  the “Year of the Chicago Cultural Mile.” In commemoration, the city installed two bronze signs in the median planters: one at Michigan Avenue and Wacker and other at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road.

Michelle T. Boone, Commissioner of the City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events [DCASE] said,

“We are pleased to help celebrate the Year of the Chicago Cultural Mile. This stretch of Michigan Avenue is home to many of the country’s most renowned institutions and parks, but in spite of its distinct features, it lacks a recognizable identity. The installation of official markers and an incentive program embraced by the area’s key stakeholders will help the Chicago Cultural Mile take a giant step towards becoming one of the premier tourist destinations in the city.”

Chicago Cultural Mile Association official website.. click here..

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CHICAGO CULTURAL MILE

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS & EVENTS

MUSEUMS: Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Contemporary Photography, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership.

THEATERS: Auditorium Theater, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gene Siskel Film Center.

PARKS & GARDENS:  Millennium Park, Lurie Garden [in Millennium Park], Maggie Daley Park, Grant Park, North and South Gardens of the Art Institute of Chicago, Northerly Island.

PRIVATE CLUBS:  The Chicago Club, University Club of Chicago, The Cliff Dwellers.

HOTELS: Hardrock Hotel, Hilton Chicago, Blackstone Chicago, Congress Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Trump International Hotel an Tower Chicago.

DESIGNATED LANDMARKS and HISTORIC SITES:
CHICAGO LANDMARKS: The Michigan Boulevard District [designated in 2002 / also known as Michigan Avenue “streetwall”], 333 N. Michigan Avenue Building [designated in 1997], The Auditorium Building [designated in 1976], the Chicago Cultural Center [designated in 1976], the Fine Arts Building [designated in 1978], the Gage Group [designated in 1996], the Blackstone Theater [designated in 1998], and the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain and Garden [Designated 1927].
LISTED in NATIONAL REGISTER of HISTORIC PLACES: The Blakstone Hotel, The Chicago Cultural Center, People’s Gas Building, Lake View Building, Santa Fe Building, Auditorium Building, Gage Buildings, Fine Arts Building, and Crane Company Building.
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK: The Auditorium Building [designated in 1975].

SCULPTURES & MOUMENTS: The Lions by Edward Kemeys, Fountain of the Great Lakes by Lorado Taft, Large Interior Form by Henry Moore, Cubi VII by David Smith, Flying Dragon by Alexander Calder, Fountain of the Tritons by Carl Milles, Bowman and Spearman by Ivan Mestrovic, Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain by Edward Bennett, Sitting Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Sir Georg Solti by Elisabeth Frink, Eagle Fountains by Frederick C. Hibbard, Magdalene by Dessa Kirk, Theodore Thomas Memorial / The Spirit of Music Statue by Albin Polasek, General John Logan Memorial by Auguste Saint-Gaudens, Rosenberg Fountain by Franz Machtl, Agora by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Van Buren Street Station.

CULTURAL EVENTS:
MUSICAL EVENTS: Free Musical Event include: Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Country Music Festival, and World Music Festival. Then there is also ticketed event Lollapalooza.
DANCE EVENTS: Chicago Summer Dance Festival
FOOD FESTIVAL: Taste of Chicago.

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CHICAGO CULTURAL MILE ASSOCIATION [CCMA]:

From CCMA official website.. click here..

The Chicago Cultural Mile Association was founded by Lawrence M. Pucci, Chairman of Pucci Company, custom fashion designers based in Chicago. The Pucci Studio was the first tenant in today’s landmark 333 N. Michigan Avenue Building, located at the entry of the Cultural Mile. While Mr. Pucci enjoyed an international reputation for his custom menswear, he remained passionate about the avenue just beneath his windows and worked to elevate the Chicago Cultural Mile until his last days.

The Chicago Cultural Mile Association is an independent not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the unique strengths and diverse offerings available to visitors frequenting our strategic location. CCMA is composed of institutions, businesses and individuals who support the CCMA’s goal to:

– Promote the institutions, businesses, and attractions along the Mile

– Enhance the Cultural Mile streetscape, including our initiative to develop Grant Park South

– Market and brand the Chicago Cultural Mile as a destination avenue

– Create networking and partnership opportunities for members

– Build a premier merchant-based advocacy group for citizens and stakeholders of our district

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2nd FRIDAYS on the Chicago Cultural Mile:

On the 2nd Friday of every month, there are free and discounted concerts, cultural exhibitions, theater productions, city tours and a host of other fun activities and services (including restaurants and parking) at participating partners’ venues located throughout the Chicago Cultural Mile! For more, click here..

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CCMA INITIATIVES

– 2nd Fridays
– Bronze welcome plaques [at Michigan Avenue and Wacker, and another at Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road]..
– American Victorian Stained Glass Windows on Macy’s pedway.. click here...
– Annual Logan Memorial event
– Plant Green Ideas art installation.. click here...

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July 10, 2015.
Published by Jyoti Srivastava
Image copyright © Jyoti Srivastava

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