Chicago artist Theaster Gates has big plans for his city. Earlier this year the artist persuaded the city to postpone the demolition of an abandoned bank (East 68^th Street and South Stony Island Avenue) and now he is hoping they can help finance his plan to turn the place into a cultural hub and library.

“I’ve always felt like it’s important that artists be good citizens,” Gates said. “Citizenship for me includes thinking hard about the cultural life of the place that I live in. No matter what my resources have been, I’ve always tried to make culture happen.”

According to the Chicago Tribune, if the city approves his plan, not only will the building be open to the public, Gates will also use some of the debris in his latest piece. He also envisioned for the first floor of the bank to be a soul food pavilion, second floor to house the collection of John H. Johnson, and have the third floor to be artist studios.

To read the original article by Melissa Harris, please visit: www.chicagotribune.com.

To learn more about Theaster Gates, please visit: theastergates.com