Cultural Heritage & Historic Marker Program Planning Consultant

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), seeks individuals or teams of public art consultants, scholars, and professionals with urban design, public history, neighborhood planning, and cultural policy experience to establish the methodology and framework and oversee the initial design of a citywide Historical Markers Program. This scope includes the establishment of an advisory committee, community and stakeholder engagement, policy and procedures guidelines, design oversight, initial site identification, and production of related text. The Historical 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 selected Planning Consultant will work closely with DCASE, DPD, elected officials, artists, historians, designers, and other key stakeholders to develop the framework for a citywide Historical Markers Program. Responsibilities include establishing and overseeing an advisory group to establish citywide process for a historical markers program (guidelines, policy) and serve as review committee for pilot round of markers; establishing a localized, neighborhood-based engagement process for surfacing and identifying assets to be featured in an interpretation program; building in opportunities for the collection of digitally photographed or scanned personal memorabilia contributed by residents through public outreach events; facilitating the selection of an artist/design team to design the marker templates; coordinating with artist/design team, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and other fabricators to get comprehensive cost estimates per marker; socializing policy and procedures guidelines with relevant City departments and Aldermen to ensure they are on board with a process that could be funded through a variety of local, state, and federal sources, including the Aldermanic Menu Program; and identification of the first 100 markers for design/installation, plus approved text.

The Consultant will manage the scope of services in four phases over approximately six months: Phase 1: Research (6 weeks, Months 1-2); Phase 2: Visioning & Engagement (8 weeks, Months 2-3); Phase 3: Process, Procedures, & Design (8 weeks, Months 4-5); Phase 4: Program Toolkit (8 weeks, Months 5-6). Budget: $200,000 inclusive of professional fees, insurance, travel, materials & supplies. Work sample requirements: 1-10 images and 0-1 video (11 samples maximum). Eligibility: Local. Entry deadline: August 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.