Civic Projects along with CNL Projects (Cortney Lederer) and Alison Cuddy was hired by the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to lead the pilot program development of a new cultural and historical markers program for Chicago. The Community Markers Program will serve as a critical platform and adaptable model to uplift Chicago stories, achievements, places, and events that may have been previously overlooked or whose wider recognition would help celebrate the city’s cultural heritage.

The team lead by Civic Projects was tasked with creating a methodology and framework for this new markers program that can later be applied and expanded to a citywide program. The scope of this project included developing an advisory committee, facilitating community and stakeholder engagement, creating policy and procedures guidelines, conducting design oversight via a facilitated artist invitational, initial site identification, and production of marker text. The pilot program aims to target three initial Chicago neighborhoods: Roseland, Austin, and Humboldt Park.