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WEST CHICAGO CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
                     AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY


ITEM:         4.a

TITLE:      2024 Loteria Proposal

DATE:      May 2, 2024

ITEM SUMMARY:

On April 4th, the Commission motioned to seek approval from the City Council to proceed with
relaunching the “Loteria” initiative in 2024.
Provided with this item is a draft Proposal from Chairman Kuharich for review and consideration. With
the approval of the Commission, the Proposal may be presented to the Public Affairs Committee for
consideration and recommendation for approval by the West Chicago City Council.

MOTION PROPOSED:

•  Accept the draft proposal for a proposed 2024 Loteria initiative and have City staff present the
    proposal at the next Public Affairs Committee meeting.

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West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission
Proposal: WeGo Loteria 2024

In Fall 2023, Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) launched the successful WeGo Loteria Project as
part of the overall countywide push from College of DuPage/McAninch Arts Center for the
Warhol/Pop Art exhibit. The initial idea came from a desire to participate, but in a decidedly,
uniquely WeGo way.

CAC invited 16 artists to reimagine classic Loteria images in a pop art style and add cards
depicting some of our most popular West Chicago icons. The result was a collection of 34
original Loteria cards positioned all around town for a community-wide scavenger hunt-style
game. Players were encouraged to e-mail an image of the completed playing board for
verification and a small prize (while supplies lasted).

The original artwork was also put on exhibit at Kindred Coffee Roasters as an additional
opportunity for the community to view all pieces and as an added perk for the artists. Several of
the artists commented that they enjoyed being able to contribute artistically with renditions of
sites they felt tied to as residents.

Anecdotal responses from players included comments on how much fun it was to run around
finding the Loteria images and see what the WeGo versions looked like, as well as finally
learning where a certain business is located or discovering a spot they knew nothing about
previously. In confirmation of the original hope, participating businesses experienced increased
foot traffic. Participating sites commented throughout that people could often be seen out with
their playing boards. One business made a point early on to note the “grandpa out with his little
grandson, running around downtown with their playing board”.

It was the specific requests from participating businesses to make it “an annual thing” that made
us consider taking the game from a one-time event to an annual celebration of our vibrant
Mexican community as the timeline corresponds with Mexican Independence Day and Día de
los Muertos. It also introduces the beloved traditional game of Loteria to those who might have
been unfamiliar.

Looking to 2024, in light of Community response, the Commission is requesting funding to
repeat this project going forward. CAC is suggesting reproducing the 2023 images with an
additional four images for the 2024 series. CAC intends to maintain the 2023 timing, applying all
images to participating sites during the first weeks of September, in time for the game to “begin”
in correlation with Mexican Independence Day festivities and continue through Día de los
Muertos, with Commission removing images after the first week of November. As with the 2023
version of the game, prizes will be awarded to verified winning game boards while supplies last.

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Proposed WeGoLoteria 2024
     Reprinting of existing 34 images @ $15 each                            $510
      Artist (2) gift cards for new images (4) @ $25 each                         $50
      Printing of 4 new images @ $15 each                                   $60
     Prizes* (one per player, while supplies last)                              $50
    Stamps (prize/artist mailing)                                          $18
      *2023 prizes were purchased with donated funds; this cost is a back-up in case similar donation is not secured
     Total                                                            $688


Additional Staff Considerations*
*All components of 2023 Project with updates provided by Commission
    -Webpage updated according to 2024 parameters (copy provided by CAC)
    -Map of sites created by City Staff (location information provided by CAC)
      -Social media support from City Staff (copy and graphics provided by CAC)
     -Playing boards printed and hosted in City Hall lobby for Community convenience
     -West Chicago envelopes to mail prize certificates and artist gift cards (25)


Discussion Point (TBD)
    The 2023 WeGoLoteria Project asked participants to e-mail images of completed playing
     boards to cultural@wego.org for verification and prize follow-up. The Commission
     monitored that account and managed any questions and prize distribution. In 2024, the
    Commission does not have access to that e-mail account and is considering the simplest
    method of accomplishing the same task (both for the Community and project
     management). CAC is currently examining alternate methods including employment of a
     form accessed through associated webpage (staff assistance required), alternate e-mail
    method (no staff assistance required), etc.