Creative Chicago - Music

Chicago is a global music powerhouse, known the world over for its deep historic roots in jazz, blues, gospel, rock, folk, and house music, and for its unparalleled diversity of musical traditions, genres and styles. Chicago’s innovative and thriving music scene is activated by musicians working across multiple genres at the highest level of artistry, and hundreds of venues and festivals serving every musical taste. The Arts and Creative Industries-Music Program of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports the city’s music industry through advocacy, promotion, policy, research, education and public programming. In line with the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan and DCASE’s Strategic Plan for the Creative Industries, we provide support in the following ways:

• Serve as an advocate and point of contact for the music industry.

• Assist venues, festivals, artists, and music professionals with navigating City permit and license processes.

• Promote both individual businesses and the industry as a whole across sectors.

• Be a research hub for the industry. Collect existing research and work with partners to create and share new research.

• Convene the industry. Create forums for industry experts to interact and address shared goals.