CircEsteem has announced the return of Casino Night, a night of both winning and giving back to the communities we serve. And I enjoy exceeding peoples expectations., Denise Gardner stands on the Art Institute's Grand Staircase in a 2021 photo, in front of the 1958 sculpture "Hero Construction" by School of the Art Institute graduate Richard Hunt. The Second City Announces Recipients of The Inaugural Victor Wong Fellowship For AAPI Voices In Comedy, Jinkx Monsoon Announces 'Everything at Stake' Tour Dates, Video: First Look At The World Premiere of SHATTERED GRADIENT From Shattered Globe Theatre, What You Need to Know About the World Premiere of PROXIMITY at Lyric Opera of Chicago. She currently sits on the boards of The Arts Club of Chicago and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. She is a transformational leader, drawing the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and museum closer to those we serve, while expanding who is in that audience. https://www.wsj.com/articles/collectors-eye-they-built-a-world-class-collection-of-black-artists-work-who-are-they-acquiring-now-11594828483. This followed a 2017 AAM industrywide survey that found just 3% of museums had a Black board chair, almost half had all-white boards and 9 in 10 museum board members were white. The Art Institute of Chicago on Tuesday elected Chicago philanthropist and art collector Denise Gardner as its next board chair, beginning in November. Youth and Adult Summer Registration Now Open! Robert M. Levy, the board's current chairman, will remain on the board after Gardner takes over in November. She was the lead individual sponsor of the museums recent exhibition, Charles White: A Retrospective, and, over the years, she has funded numerous acquisitions for the Department of Prints and Drawings and the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art. Its an honor to accept this role, said Gardner. But we do understand the importance of this moment, Rondeau said. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicagosboard of trustees. She has built a comprehensive collection predominantly composed of art by Black makers with a focus on women artists and encourages access and engagement by funding diverse exhibitions throughout the city and loaning works to shows throughout the U.S. She is a collector ambassador for SOUTH SOUTH, a global platform of galleries dedicated to promoting art from the Americas, South Asia, and Africa. "We're here for the public, not the few. Denise Gardner, 66, will be the first Black person and first woman chairperson of the governing body for the museum and the School of the Art Institute. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago president Elissa Tenny. Denise joined the museums board in 2006 and has been a member of the governing board of the School of the Art Institute since 2011. In 2019, the American Alliance of Museums, whose membership includes art museums, launched a national initiative to push diversity and inclusion on museum boards. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. Students have many options when it comes to getting involved in the SAIC community. In this role, I can help the museum accelerate its progress.. I feel a little extra pressure to succeed. Previously cities included Elk Grove Village IL and Arlington Heights IL. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. Similarly, a corollary issue is how we ensure that more audiences and communities will know, appreciate, and be inspired by art.. Thursday, April 15, 2021. . 2023 Art Media, LLC. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. Her vision for the Art Institute reflects our commitment to an inclusive understanding of human creativity.. Continue reading your article witha WSJ subscription, Already a member? All Rights Reserved. She holds a BSJ in advertising and an MBA from Northwestern University. View the profiles of people named Denise Gardner. African American Legacy (AAL) is a philanthropic initiative led by African American civic and community leaders who share the common goal of. But she and her husband Gary have been actively collecting art for over a decade. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. We found 15 records for Denise Gardner in Chicago, Elgin and 8 other cities in Illinois. Amy Sherald's 2017 work, 'A clear . This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Deeply invested in and knowledgeable about the Art Institute of Chicago, she has modeled support and advocacy for the museum and school by championing artists and the accessibility of art and art education for historically underrepresented audiences. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader of the governing body of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Art Institute of Chicago museum. But I dont have a problem with that. Liked by Denise Gardner. She will succeed Robert Levy as the leader of the governing body when his term ends in November. SAICs undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. consider it for our site. We want to hear from you! CHICAGO (WLS) -- It was announced in April of 2021 that Denise. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago President Elissa Tenny. More info. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader of the governing body of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Art Institute of Chicago museum. We want to hear from you! Gardner said her other priorities in this role include working on diversity, inclusion, equity and access. I knew I was the first at the Art Institute. Gardner, 66, will be the first Black person and first woman chairperson of the governing body for the museum and the School of the Art Institute. A Northwestern MBA and a marketer in the corporate world, Gardner founded the beauty products company Namaste Laboratories with her husband in the 1990s, and they sold it in the following decade, she said. Gardner has experienced firsthand the benefits of making meaningful connections throughout the city. Among the artists represented in the collection are Kerry James Marshall, Charles Gaines, Frank Bowling, Rashid Johnson, Firelei Baez, Sanford Biggers, Genevieve Gaignard, Bethany Collins, Candida Alvarez, Lorna Simpson, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Samuel Levi Jones, Dawoud Bey, Leonardo Drew, Carrie Mae Weems, and Igshaan Adams, who had a major survey at the Art Institute in 2022. CHICAGO The collectors Denise and Gary Gardner are very public in their support of "Charles White: A Retrospective," an exhibition now at the Art Institute of Chicago that will travel to. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader. She has also been a dedicated civic leader, previously serving on the boards of The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Library, and Chicago Humanities Festival and currently holding positions on the boards of The Arts Club of Chicago and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation. We understand her credentials to be really independent of her race or her gender, right? One of her favorite artists featured in the permanent collection, Charles White (1918-1979), whose work was previously the subject of a major retrospective at the museum, helped Gardner clarify how to approach her new position. Gardner said she wants Chicago museum to be 'here for the public, not the few'. In 2021, Denise Gardner made history when she was elected to be the chairman of the board of trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago, making her the first Black woman in the United States to. But in Gardner, institution leaders said they believe the museum has found a guiding hand suited to the moment. In addition to Gardner as the incoming chair, the Art Institute currently has 20% Black board members, and 24% of members are of color, Rondeau said. I look forward to working with the institutions leadership and staff to fully realize our aspiration of ensuring that people of all ages from throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond, particularly children, see the Art Institute of Chicago as a place where they are welcome and truly belong.. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Iowa guard Molly Davis, right, fouls Purdue guard Jeanae Terry during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big Ten women's tournament Friday, March 3, 2023, in Minneapolis. "For date nights, a lot of the times, we'd (go) to the Art Institute. I hope she knows whats happening and I think she would have been overjoyed, Gardner said. She is a transformational leader, drawing the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and museum closer to those we serve, while expanding who is in that audience. Subscribe today and save! Denise Gardner, who has championed Black artists, as well as art accessibility and education for underrepresented audiences. I am grateful to our current chair, Bob Levy, for his leadership, particularly as we navigated the uncertainty of the past year. CHICAGOThe Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. We know that Denise's political affiliation is currently a . Join Facebook to connect with Denise Gardner and others you may know. She and her husband, Gary, are noted collectors., The decision, he said, was straightforward.. In November, she assumed her new role, becoming the first Black person and woman chairperson for the museum and the School of the Art Institute. Join us this year for an exciting lineup of exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and special events. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. Weemss work is of particular importance to their collection, as a few years ago they faced a lack of wall space to accommodate a particularly large work by the artist. ", "You would never give me a paint brush; I wouldn't know what to do with it," Gardner said. Denise Gardner. I like to exceed expectations.. As we looked for a chair who could fit our needs in the coming years, Denise emerged as the clear leader, said Art Institute of Chicago trustee Tom Pritzker, who led the nominating committee for the board. James Rondeau, the Art Institutes president and director, remembered going to see artists in their studios with Gardner when he was a curator in modern and contemporary art, visiting such up-and-comers as Jennifer Packer and Mark Bradford. Watch footage of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Marriott Theatre! We view collecting as a dynamic process, and we enjoy all its aspects: researching artists, viewing the work, meeting the artists and learning about their practice, hearing from galleries and curators about the work, considering which work fits best with our collection, and most of all, living with the work at home, the Gardners told ARTnews in an email interview. Chicago, IL. Before moving to Denise's current city of Chicago, IL, Denise lived in Blue Island IL. Gardner and his wife reside in Chicago, Illinois, where they run the Gary and Denise Family Foundation and maintain a private art collection. The longtime art collector and marketing executive Denise Gardner will become the chairwoman of the Art Institute of Chicago in November, perhaps the countrys first Black woman to hold that position on a major museum board. Related To Michael Gardner. She has rooted much of her philanthropic work in driving positive outcomes for Chicago youth, including expanding college access for Chicago students through the Denise and Gary Gardner Scholarship at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She was the lead sponsor of the 2018 Charles White retrospective and has funded acquisitions to the museums drawing and modern and contemporary art departments over the years. Parker Players Theater Company (3/03-3/11), Fine Arts Building | Studebaker Theater (4/22-4/23), Dundee Township Park District (3/17-3/19), Photos/Video: Go Inside Rehearsal For THE COMEDY OF ERRORS At Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Video: Get a First Look at YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN at the Marriott Theatre, RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN Extends Through Early April at Raven Theatre, Hit The Jackpot at CircEsteem's Annual Casino Night Fundraiser. I just think about what it must have been like [Tanner] was the descendant of slaves to paint this massive masterpiece that the museum purchased in 1906, Gardner said. Denise Gardner is the first Black person and woman chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Art Institute of Chicago. A leader with her credentials is exactly what we need right now to take us into the future, James Rondeau, the museums director, said in a phone interview on Monday. Her collection focuses on Black and female artists, including Frank Bowling, Nick Cave and Carrie Mae Weems. Serving from 1995 to 2006, Jones, who died Friday in Los Angeles at age 95, brought Gardner into contact and then deep involvement with the museum, Gardner said. With her professional background and a nearly 30-year relationship with the Art Institute as a volunteer and philanthropic leader, including 15 years as a trustee and five years in her current role as vice chair of the board, Gardner is uniquely positioned to advance the strategic vision of both the museum and the school. In her first television interview since taking on her historic role, Gardner spoke with ABC7's Leah Hope for episode 13 of the streaming series "Black & Powerful. The Art Institute announced Tuesday that Chicago philanthropist and marketing executive Denise Gardner was elected chairperson of its board of trustees. She has built a comprehensive collection predominantly composed of art by Black makers with a focus on women artists and encourages access and engagement by funding diverse exhibitions throughout the city and loaning works to shows throughout the U.S. She is a collector ambassador for SOUTH SOUTH, a global platform of galleries dedicated to promoting art from the Americas, South Asia, and Africa. As a board member of The Chicago Community Trust, she served on its Strategic Planning Working Group and CEO Search Committee and chaired its Donor Relations and Civic Engagement Committee and African American Legacy Fund. It has been my honor to partner with Denise for many years, said James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the museum. Works by Black artists have surged in popularity in recent years, as curators and collectors reappraise their place in the canon. In 2021, Denise Gardner made history when she was elected to be the chairman of the board of trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago, making her the first Black woman in the United States to. Denise H Gardner, 60. Shes been so active with the museum and the school for many years so we knew how good she was and how committed to who we are, Levy said. That does add a sense of responsibility and pressure to succeed, and thats fine with me. Its hard to avoid the historical significance, Gardner said in a telephone interview on Monday. ARTnews is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. I look forward to supporting her vision as board chair.. Learn about our efforts toward supporting and building adiverse community. The group sees Black leadership as a path to diversification throughout the institutions, from staff to programming, Gardner said, and it is in the process of hiring an executive director and trying to expand its ranks by identifying other Black museum trustees. Im looking forward to collaborating with her and the chair of SAICs board of governors, Anita Sinha, as we plan for the future.. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. The World's Premier Art Magazine since 1913. ", SEE MORE: Black & Powerful: ABC7 presents series exclusively streaming on connected TV apps, ABC7Chicago.com, Gardner described herself as a history buff, and said her love of research and history deepened her love of art. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader of the governing body of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Art Institute of Chicago museum. Go inisde reheartsals with newly released photos and video of the company in action! Denises multifaceted commitment to the arts and education combined with decades of corporate and civic leadership make her the ideal choice to lead the Art Institute forward., Press ContactBree Witt312.499.4211 communications@saic.edu, {{[http://www.saic.edu/news/campus]CAMPUS}}. She was the lead individual sponsor of the museums recent exhibition,Charles White: A Retrospective,and, over the years, she has funded numerous acquisitions for the Department of Prints and Drawings and the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art. SAIC Recognized again for Excellence in Diversity. Denise also answers to Denise A Gardner, and perhaps a couple of other names. View FREE Public Profile & Reputation for Denise Gardner in Chicago, IL - See Court Records | Photos | Address, Emails & Phone Numbers | Personal Review | $70 - $79,999 Income & Net Worth. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's board of trustees. And so I think about her and people like her. 10am PT/11am MT/12pm CT/1pm ET. Sculpture: Hero Construction, 1958, Richard Hunt (BA 1957, HON 1979). I didnt know I was the first in the nation. Robert M. Levy, the current board chair, will remain on the board after Gardner assumes the position in November. It is believed that she will be the first Black woman to head the board of a major U.S. art museum, although such demographics are hard to come by. Im particularly excited for our students, particularly our women students and our students of color.. The Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. All Rights Reserved. School of the Art Institute President Elissa Tenny, the first woman to head the school, said This is really an important moment in our institutions history., For the first time in the School of the Art Institute of Chicagos 155 years the vision for the future of art and design education will be shaped by a woman, which is quite phenomenal, Tenny said. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's board of trustees. Their collection of more than 130 works focuses on modern and contemporary Black artists, with works by Henry Ossawa Tanner, Carrie Mae Weems, Sam Gilliam, Ed Clark, Amy Sherald, Nick Cave, and Elizabeth Catlett. The Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Denise Gardner is 67 years old today because Denise's birthday is on 10/01/1954. Coming out of last summers social justice upheaval following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, Gardner and 11 other African American art museum board members formed the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums. Gaby Sulzberger, a Metropolitan Museum of Art board member and one of Gardners fellow founding members of the Black Trustee Alliance, said in an email she did not know of any Black women who have chaired major art museum boards. She has led the couples significant art collecting, particularly of Black women artists. Gardner said as chairperson of the Art Institute's Board, she hopes to make all Chicagoans feel connected to one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. Its an honor to accept this role, Gardner said in a statement. In her final production asChicago Shakespeare Theaterartistic director,Barbara Gainesstages Shakespeares riotousThe Comedy of Errors,imprinting her legacy of inventive and captivating interpretations of the Bards work for todays audiences. Board Chair, The Art Institute of Chicago Greater Chicago . Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader of the governing body of both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Art Institute of Chicago museum. He can shoot it., Justin Steele and 6 Chicago Cubs relievers combine for the 1st spring training no-hitter in franchise history, Leah Palmer experiences grand time as Geneva grinds out victory in Class 4A third-place game. (AP . Gardner has a longstanding commitment to access, diversity, and equity in the arts. The Art Institute of Chicago on Tuesday elected Chicago philanthropist and art collector Denise Gardner as its next board chair, beginning in November. She will take the steering role at the encyclopedic art museum and leading art college at a pivotal moment in their history. Denise M Gardner, PhD Associate Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health/Pediatric Psychologist at Primary Care Psychology Associates Greater Chicago Area 90 connections Every month, we publish stories about our incredible community.