This month, the city of Chicago has been taking the traditional arts auction on-line in The Great Chicago Fire Sale, which they claim to be ‘the first-ever municipally sponsored eBay charity auction.’ While it’s an evolutionary idea, rather than revolutionary, it did catch the attention of the UK Guardian a few weeks back.
Funds from the auction are designated to supplement efforts by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, specifically in support of the Chicago Cultural Center, cultural grants, and Gallery 37. Items include a 1960s Playboy Bunny outfit, several decommissioned parking meters, arts, crafts, nights on the town, and other experiential goodies.
It’s an interesting evolution when municipalities enter the fundraising business, beyond the taxing, legislating, and governance elements of their work. I’m guessing that the local arts organizations in Chicago are of mixed feelings…happy for the national media, wary of competition from yet another player in the game.
UPDATE: In another odd interchange of city government and charitable support, the city of Boston is allowing people to pay parking tickets with toys. For tickets of a certain type issued within a certain time frame, violators just bring in a toy, along with a receipt showing the value matches the fine. The goodies go to Toys for Tots. While it’s a lovely idea, I’m wondering if the city office really had authority to forgo city revenue for a specific charitable cause.
