A Letter from 2020
No one will ever forget the year 2020. Collectively we experienced the uncertainty and constantly shifting conditions of a pandemic amidst a major racial justice movement during one of the most politically divisive moments in history. We expect 2021 to be as precarious, if not more, but share hope for the vaccine to steer us from the pandemic’s threat even as economic, environmental, and healthcare crises continue.
At Public Media Institute, we responded to the crisis by using our media platforms and infrastructure to document Chicagoans’ creative responses to the pandemic. Shifting our resources and attention, we quickly launched the Quarantine Times publishing platform, presenting pressing new work by social justice workers, artists and thinkers. Together with the Quarantine Concert Series, we were able to provide opportunities and direct financial support to artists, musicians and members of our communities.
Using our resources and networks we initiated the Community Kitchen and Canteen to address immediate hunger and employment needs of our community and are proud to be able to expand the program further.
These efforts are a continuation of our mission to create, incubate, and sustain innovative cultural programming.
We want to thank everyone who has believed in and supported Public Media Institute over the past (almost 20) years, allowing us to grow into the position to do our part to help Chicago weather this storm. Without our community of friends, family and partners we would not be able to respond and react to these quarantine times.
This report is an overview of our activities in 2020 and features collaborations with hundreds of artists and cultural workers of all stripes.
With your help we will expand upon our work and do everything we can to aid our communities through the rough years ahead. To make a donation or become a member of Public Media Institute please visit our Website.
In Solidarity,
Ed Marszewski
Director Public Media Institute
You can read our 2020 Annual Report here.