Edlis Neeson Theater at the MCA Chicago 

A Collaboration with the Chicago Humanities Festival 

Join us for a conversation with two of Chicago’s preeminent voices on public space in the city, Lee Bey and Blair Kamin. 

Lee Bey and Blair Kamin are known for their deep understanding of Chicago’s successes and failures in architecture and urban design. Chicago’s architectural legacy includes a civic ideal that has produced prized public spaces. In reality, however, public spaces for many of the city’s Black and Brown residents were—and, in some cases, continue to be—inferior to spaces used by white and affluent Chicagoans, while gentrification near new public spaces has made adjoining neighborhoods unaffordable for many of their longtime residents.   

Moderated by American Institute of Architects’ Laurie Peterson and Jen Masengarb, the conversation will explore the past, present, and future of the public use of Chicago’s built environment. 

Major support for Dialogue is provided by Julie and Larry Bernstein, the Zell Family Foundation, and Carol Prins and John Hart/The Jessica Fund. 

Generous support is provided by Lois and Steve Eisen and The Eisen Family Foundation, Caryn and King Harris, and D. Elizabeth Price.