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In this relaxed, “Ask Me Anything” info session, join current members of the Cultural Access Collaborative Steering Committee to delve into the responsibilities of the Collab. The Steering Committee is made up of volunteers from all walks of experience in cultural spaces, focused on the varying aspects of our mission. Learn about the Steering Committee’s application process, professional development planning, equipment loan program management, the access calendar, and other opportunities to engage!
As Cultural Access Collaborative’s work grows to include all of Illinois, we are adding representation to the Steering Committee, and hosting professional development programs across the state. If you or a fellow Illinoisan is interested in being involved on a leadership level with the Collab, then this is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what the expectations are.
2023 is a recruitment year for the Steering Committee, and we look forward to getting to know more passionate allies and advocates for cultural accessibility. Come with your thoughts and questions. We look forward to connecting!
Date and Time:
Session One: Thursday, March 30th from 4:00 to 5:00 PM Central Time
Session Two: Tuesday, April 11th from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM Central Time
Platform: Zoom (link will be shared with registrants)
Program Accessibility: Real-Time Captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided.
Cost: FREE
Registration:
Please register for Session One here.
Please register for Session Two here.
Registered participants will receive a Zoom Meeting Link via email from this email account the day prior to the event. Please ensure that Info@CulturalAccessCollab.org is an approved sender to your email account, or be sure to check your Spam/Junk Mail filter for the email.
ASL Interpretation and Real-Time Captioning (with a streaming link option) will be provided. Please complete the accommodation request field found in the event registration path or call 773-203-5039 to request other access services, or to learn more about event accessibility.
If you would like to apply to join our steering committee, Please complete the Steering Committee Application Google Form and attach your resume/cv where prompted. Note that this submission process does require a Google email address. If you require any assistance or are unable to submit your form electronically, please contact Info@CulturalAccessCollab.Org
Clare Killy, Steering Committee Co-Chair (she/her/hers) is Vice President of Digital Experiences at Aspire. She leads Aspire’s DEI Consultation services, which include training and support for businesses and organizations specific to inclusive practices. She also leads the production of Aspire’s free resources for the community to raise awareness, share knowledge and invite advocacy around disability inclusion – including the Amplify Inclusion podcast and The Inclusion Exchange webinar series. Clare also oversees the Virtual Life Coaching team, which includes Life Consultants who provide customized life skills coaching for adults with disabilities. Clare has over a decade of professional experience working with individuals of all ages, families and providers across diverse environments.
Clare joined the Steering Committee in 2019, becoming a Co-Chair in 2021. She is a white woman with brown hair. She is positioned in front of a brick wall and wearing a blue shirt underneath a gray blazer.
Favorite Cultural Memory: My father is a professional artist and I recall my first time seeing his work in a gallery after having witnessed the lengthy artistic process that led to that point. Seeing the artist in action, and then the final result on such pristine display taught me to consider the process as much as the product – to this day, when I walk through a gallery space, I wonder about the idea that sparked each piece and the dynamic journey that brought it to life.
Hillary Pearson, Steering Committee Co-Chair (she/her/hers) is the Program Manager of Accessibility Services in the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services at the American Library Association. Previously, Hillary spent 12 years in patron services and operations at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, working directly with companies to ensure front of house needs were met, connecting renters with resources and options for accessible programming, and communicating daily operations in the facility. Hillary is excited to further the accessibility goals of the ALA, as well as learn from and with other professionals from Chicagoland cultural institutions.
Hillary joined the Steering Committee in 2017, becoming a Co-Chair in 2021. She is a white woman with a round face and medium length brown, straight hair. She wears square-framed, purple glasses and a purple sweater and looks directly into the camera with a smile.
Memorable Cultural Experience: As a vocal performance major at Northwestern, a small volunteer group of singers had the chance to perform comedic opera scenes in English at the Kohl Children’s Museum up in Glenview a few times a year. It was a lot of fun performing opera for these kids in such a nontraditional setting (sometimes they even laughed with us instead of at us!), and it created a unique outreach opportunity for both the university and the museum.
Cultural Access Collaborative is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, PERT Foundation, The MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Michael and Mona Heath Fund, and individual donors like you. In addition, this program is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events with funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan as well as a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
