Funding of Public Art - III

The Columbus sculpture was a gift to the 1933-34 "Chicago Century of Progress Exposition" from the Italian-American community of Illinois ..

This is Part-III of series funding of public art in Chicago ..
# Part I: Public funding of public art .. click here ..
# Part II: Private funding of public art .. click here ..
# Part III: Private funding of public art .. click here ..

Private funding can be by individuals or by communities .. In Part-II, I listed some gifts by individuals to the people of Chicago .. Here I bring out some gifts by different communities, which may be nationality-based, area-based, or even a business community ..

# Gift of Polish-American Congress and the Copernicus Foundation to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Copernicus ..
Copernicus Monument .. click here ..
# Gift from the Italian-American Community of Illinois ..
Columbus Monument ..
# Gift from a group of Chicagoans of German descent ...
Monument of Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller, the "prince of poets" .. ..

Area based communities ..
# Lakeshore Sculpture Exhibit [LES] .. Lincoln Park area ..
The Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit is a privately funded, not-for-profit corporation. Sponsors from the community contribute financially, serve on the jury and attend related events.
Each year, there are 20 large-scale sculptures on display throughout the 43rd and 44th Wards, extending from Burton on the south to Irving Park on the north and from the lakefront to Southport. The display is from spring of one year to spring of the next year ... The theme changes each year ... Every piece is available for sale at the conclusion of the show.
Lakeshore Sculpture Exhibit .. click here ..
The official website .. Lakeshore Sculpture Exhibit .. click here ..

# The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association [GNMAA].. .. Near North area ..
GNMAA is a community organization that represents the diverse interests within its geographical boundaries - Randolph Street to North Avenue, Lake Michigan to the North Branch Canal .. It was founded in 1912, as the North Central Business District Association, to plan and promote the development and beautification of Michigan Avenue. The Association's name changed to The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association in 1942 to reflect the neighborhood's physical expansion of retail merchants, banks, real estate firms, office buildings and service organizations on the near north side. Till now, the Association retains its original community spirit as volunteer led committees collaborate to preserve, promote and enhance the neighborhood through urban planning and advocacy, marketing and public relations and member events and programs.
[ Ref: The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA) .. click here .. ]

My concern here is their sponsoring of public art pieces in the Near North area, especially the Magnificent Mile .. Every spring, the Magnificent Mile celebrates the bloom of hundreds of thousands of vibrant tulips. Alongside there are art installations in the flower-beds ... These are temporary and removed in the winter season .. Like this year the theme for the art installations was the "City Beautiful Movement" ..
City Beautiful Art Installations .. click here ..