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There is good news on the horizon – we will soon be giving some of our famous Chicago Architecture Center tours! Beginning with selected neighborhood tours, then moving on to River Cruises and then designated core tours, docents will once again share Chicago architecture with our guests.

Things will be a little different. Social distancing will be required, so you might have to alter your timing somewhat. You might give a tour that will now end away from the center. You may be asked questions about the recent protests. To prepared for the challenges, we ask that you read the following information.

Tour Schedule and Signups

Tour schedules and sign-ups have begun. Keep in mind that our walking tour offerings are limited to those that (1) do not include interiors and (2) can accommodate guests with social distancing requirements. No bus tours are planned for the year. The tours for which you are certified may not be available for some time. Don’t despair – there will be no required minimum number of tours to be given this year.

Out on the Street – Best Practices for Tour Safety (Covid 19 Edition)

1. Guests will be limited to six (6) per docent.

2. Per CDC guidelines, the docent should instruct guests to maintain six (6) feet between each other and the docent. Guests from the same household may be closer to each other but must maintain the 6-foot distance from non-related guests and the docent.

3. All tour participants including the docent must wear masks or plastic shields during the entire tour. The docent should instruct guests that their masks/shields MUST cover the nose and mouth, without exception. At the start of the tour, the docent should inform guests that he/she is required to terminate the tour if a touree refuses to comply with the mask requirement. The mask/shield requirement applies to everyone on the tour, including children (2 and over).

4. The docent should lay out these “rules of the road” in his/her introduction and reinforce the rules throughout the tour. Since every stop is different depending on the street, the docent will rearrange the group at each stop to ensure compliance. A mention or perhaps demonstrating with arms out will likely be sufficient.

5. Food and drink: The docent should direct tour takers not to eat on the tour; and when they need to drink, to pull down their mask, take a quick drink and then quickly replace their mask. As the docent, you should take drinks often and step away from the group as you

Out on the Street – Tour Tips

1. When starting the tour at CAC, the docent must not block the front door of the building. Depending on the size of the group, the docent can place their group just outside the door on the small plaza, on the plaza in front of the steps to the east, or on the plaza in front of the Amazon store.

2. Speak up! Since we won’t be using the usual listening devices, guests may find it harder to hear because of the masks/shields. Docents who would like to use an amplifier must purchase their own. Below are two options suggested by CAC staff. There are other options as well. You may select the one that works best for you. CLICK on the product for details.

Zoweetek – $39.99
Glecy – $39.98

3. Don’t walk and talk.

4. Some tours, which would normally conclude at the center, will now end at another location. Remember, this is a temporary solution during this time of social distancing. When the restrictions are lifted, per the tour manual, the docent must return to the center to give his/her conclusion.

Guidance for Docents – Answering Guest Questions re: Protests

We are starting to schedule tours and cruises for this summer and as we look around our city, we still see the reminders of the events of early June. Our guests may be prompted by these reminders, or what they have read in the news, to ask us questions about protests in Chicago. We are not suggesting that this is a topic that you should be initiating with guests; our position that docents focus on architecture remains unchanged. We are, however, representatives of CAC and ambassadors for the city of Chicago; preparation in advance of your tour will help avoid any ill-considered responses to questions.

Most guest questions about the protests can be answered by the following statement, which uses the language similar to CAC’s statement in support of Black Lives Matter:

“While there certainly were some disturbances, most of the protests in Chicago were peaceful. CAC as an organization believes that design can unify and elevate us, and we believe we have a role to play in support of our community. Although we don’t have all the answers yet, we are considering ways we can best use our voice to advance racial justice.”

Please keep in mind that language can sometimes unwittingly be offensive to others. We know, of course, that you always support our core value of respect and refrain from any references that would signify prejudicial thinking. However, it’s also important to ensure that discussion of recent events uses terms that are descriptive; for example, “protest” is a public demonstration of objection, guaranteed by constitutional rights. “Riot” is a form of civil disobedience that is a typically a response to a perceived grievance. It is a term that has negative associations for many, due to its historic misuse in the media, especially when used to describe gatherings in dissent of racial injustice.

Typical questions and responses may be along the following:

1. What is CAC’s position on the activities in Chicago?

Reference the statement bolded above.

2. Is Chicago safe?

“Chicago is a large city with issues that are typical of cities of its size. CAC takes every precaution to ensure the safety of its guests and volunteers.”

3. What kinds of actions is CAC taking to support Black Lives Matter?

“CAC believes it can play an important role in supporting Chicago communities and is considering where it can be the most effective. We want to build on programs like Open House Chicago, our architecture festival that features sites in neighborhoods across the city.”

4. Does CAC Board Membership reflect the diversity of the city?

“CAC’s Board is made up of leaders from varying organizations and companies. You can find Information about Board members on the CAC website, architecture.org.”

Statement of Support

CAC has issued a statement in support of Black Lives Matter and acknowledges the need to consider the role of CAC in support of racial equality. The text of this statement follows; we ask that you review before your tour.

Dear CAC Friends and Family:

As we grapple with the tumultuous events of the past week, I wanted to reach out to you to express the sorrow and grief we’re all feeling—and to reinforce our unequivocal belief that Black Lives Matter.

Speaking personally and as the CAC’s leader, we condemn the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery—the latest names added to the unimaginably long list of victims of unjust violence and systemic racism toward Black people in America, Chicago conspicuously included. These atrocities make clear for us once again that ours is a society divided by race and class. That COVID-19 disproportionately affects communities of color with adverse health and economic outcomes adds yet more sorrowful proof.
Some people may ask: How does this involve an architecture organization?

Design can divide us—or it can unite and elevate us. The CAC has a role to play. We will consider what voices and issues we can amplify and how our institution can advance racial justice. In doing so, we honor this moment that implores us to be brave participants in change.

Respectfully,

Lynn J. Osmond
President and CEO
Chicago Architecture Center