Michelle Boone Appointed Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel today named his Cultural Affairs Leadership Team, announcing that Michelle T. Boone will be the Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and David McDermott will serve as her Chief of Staff. The Mayor-elect also named the leaders of a reinvigorated Chicago Cultural Affairs Advisory Committee. Nora Daley will serve as the Committee’s Chair and Marj Halperin as the Vice Chair.

“Our diverse arts and cultural scene is a key part of what makes Chicago a vibrant and dynamic place to live,” said the Mayor-elect. “We treasure our flagship institutions, and we also love living in a city where new music, theater, dance and visual arts are being created every day in hundreds of smaller venues. Each member of our leadership team has deep roots in the arts and cultural scene, and each knows that Chicago's thousands of artists and non-profits are a critical piece of our economic strength. Michelle, Nora, David and Marj will bring the fresh ideas needed to help new talent flourish and keep Chicago a world leader in the arts."