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4 A Culturally Rich Community
#4
A Culturally Rich Community
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Culture brings life and energy to our communities, and creates connections. From our historical storytelling, to our celebration of artists, musicians, actors, writers, and creatives, our commitment to culture is what brings us together, and sets us apart. Through The Next 10, we’ll take steps to catalyze our cultural aspirations.
Celebrate And Honor Springfield’s Diverse Storylines
With its rich political history and important contributions to our country’s democracy, Springfield has many stories to tell. The people and events of this community have shaped the American landscape, and the impacts of our work stretch far beyond Abraham Lincoln. Specific projects emerging from your contributions to The Next 10, include: • Development of a monument to recognize the significance of the 1908 Race Riots • Broader efforts to connect and tell the story of Springfield’s political history, including Lincoln, Obama and beyond • Celebrating and honoring our community’s political significance by hosting regular presidential debates and conversations • Development of more diverse storytelling, programming, sculpture and art to honor history and events • A continuation of the Citizens’ Club-led conversations on race and equity
Promising Ideas
» Installation of gateway and neighborhood signage throughout the Greater Springfield Area » Development of an annual event to celebrate Springfield’s stories and successes
» Completion of the World’s Biggest Penny sculpture » Further develop our Route 66 heritage
A community distinguishes itself by its culture, and The Next 10 provides us an opportunity to amplify ours. Sangamon County is home to extraordinary artists, performers, authors, historians, and creatives, all of whom must be supported and celebrated in our commitment to ensuring a distinctive region.”
ANDY VAN METER
Chairperson, Sangamon County Board
Support For Artists To Beautify And Enliven Our Community
DID YOU KNOW?
The most famous historic resident of Springfield is Abraham Lincoln, who lived here between 1837 and 1861. A multitude of cultural sites are connected to him, including his presidential museum, his home, his tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, the Old State Capitol and the historical town of New Salem, within a short drive from the city.
Artists lend extraordinary texture to our community—telling stories, activating spaces and welcoming people in. You expressed a bold commitment to the creative community through The Next 10, with a desire to support: • Development of a citywide mural and public art program • Support (in the form of grants) to bring back live entertainment at our community’s restaurant, pubs and venues • Places to help artists collectively hone their craft, including conducting studies to establish artist work/live space and shared community arts spaces • Continuation of the Levitt AMP music series and other entertainment programming • Advocacy with the State of Illinois to establish Cultural District Legislation, which would provide resources to cultural efforts in communities such as Springfield
On February 10, 2007, then Senator Barack
Obama announced his presidential candidacy
on the grounds of the Old State Capitol in Downtown Springfield.
The Hoogland Center for the Arts in Downtown Springfield is a centerpiece for performing arts, and houses (among other organizations): the Springfield Theatre Centre, the Springfield Ballet Company, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Municipal Opera (also known as The Muni) which stages community theatre productions of Broadway musicals outdoors each summer. New Salem’s Theatre in the Park—a
