Washington, DC—NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman will visit Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, on Thursday, January 19, 2012. In each city, Chairman Landesman will learn about the efforts to use the arts to create vibrant, livable communities by visiting the recipients of Our Town and ArtPlace grants. In Evanston, Chairman Landesman will participate in a roundtable discussion about the city’s efforts to create a performing arts district in downtown Evanston. The NEA has supported this project through an Our Town grant for an architectural study and financial plan. In Chicago, the Chairman will visit Dorchester Projects and Rebuild Foundation on Chicago’s South Side to learn more about their projects and current work in the community in which they serve. Rebuild Foundation, a not-for-profit organization under artist and urban planner Theaster Gates, Jr.’s leadership, will use their ArtPlace grant to convert an abandoned building on the 6900 block of Dorchester Avenue into the Black Cinema House Live/Work Space. Black Cinema House will serve as a small firm-screening center and will include a Film Artist Residency program.

Thursday, January 19, 2012
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.	Walking tour of downtown Evanston and discussion with City of Evanston Our Town project leaders   Participants: Dennis Marino, Manager Planning & Zoning, City of Evanston Carolyn Dellutri, Director, Downtown Evanston Craig Sklenar, General Planner, City of Evanston Rocco Landesman, NEA Chairman  Carol Coletta, President, ArtPlace Terry Scrogum, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Council Location: Downtown Evanston, 820 Davis St., Suite 151, Evanston, IL 60201
4:00 - 4:45 p.m.	Walking tour of Dorchester Projects and Rebuild Foundation, including stops at:   Black Cinema House -- 6901 S. Dorchester Avenue Library Building where 14,000 architecture and design books are being housed -- 6916 S. Dorchester Avenue Dr. Wax Listening Room (Dr. Wax Record Collection) -- 6918 S. Dorchester Avenue (building under construction) Dorchester Artist Housing (new project, will view outside only) Participants: Mejay Gula, Rebuild Foundation  Kate Hadley-Williams, Rebuild Foundation Marlease Bushnell, Rebuild Foundation Rocco Landesman, NEA Chairman Carol Coletta, President, ArtPlace Terry Scrogum, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Council Greg Cameron, Executive Committee, Arts Alliance Illinois’ Board of Directors Location: To join this walking tour, meet at 6918 S. Dorchester Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637