The Art Institute's Head Curator of Contemporary Art James Rondeau will officially take over as president of the institution, the museum announced Thursday. The 46-year-old succeeds Douglas Druick, the museum's president since 2011 who announced his retirement in October.
Stories by chloe riley
Art Institute Receives $35 Million Gift, Largest in Museum’s History
The largest monetary donation in the history of the Art Institute of Chicago comes courtesy of Dorothy Braude Edinburg, a longtime patron of the museum who died last January at the age of 94.
New Show Highlights Modernist African Architecture from the 1960s, ‘70s
As many sub-Saharan African countries gained independence throughout the 1960s, they experienced a burst of experimental architecture, marking a severance from once Colonial pasts. A new show chronicling those understudied architectural examples opens Friday via the Graham Foundation.
In Male-Dominated Sphere, Magician Jeanette Andrews Uses Science, Art to Make Her Mark
Just months after watching a Siegfried and Roy TV special, Jeanette Andrews, age 4, was performing magic for her class. Two years later, she staged her first paid gig. On Tuesday, Andrews, now 25, performs a show at the Museum of Contemporary Art which pairs illusions with each of the five senses.
Older Choreographers, Dancers Get Dues at New aMID Festival
We watch older performers in theater and musicals – why then do we see them less frequently represented in dance? That was the question dancer/choreographer Michelle Kranicke set out to answer with the aMID festival – a showcase of dancers and choreographers ranging in age from 25 to 75.
Hit the Fests: Best of Israeli Film, Aging Dancers and Chicago Restaurants
It's the Weekend Agenda: Jan. 22-24
Eat, dance and watch your way through the weekend.
#MuseumSelfie Day: 15 of Chicago's Best
Wednesday marks Museum Selfie Day – the perfect marriage of learning and self-indulgence created by blogger and "Culture Snatcher" Mar Dixon as a way to get the masses packed into those cultural fonts of wisdom: museums. We take a look at 15 of the best selfies from local museums.
A Ride on the MSI’s Vintage Coal Mine Unearths Nostalgia, Questions
Sure, the museum's coal mine ride is fun, but does it also need to be accurate? We revisit the popular exhibit.
'Topless Cellist' Charlotte Moorman Focus of Major Exhibition at Northwestern
A show dedicated to the life of the barrier-breaking performance artist opens Saturday at Northwestern’s Block Museum.
Bob Saget, Boats and Logan Square Gala Benefit
It's the Weekend Agenda: Jan. 15-17
See all the boats, hang with Danny Tanner and hipster it up with the best of them.
Lois Weisberg, Longtime Daley Commissioner who Shaped Chicago’s Arts Scene, Dies at 90
The former commissioner of Cultural Affairs died Wednesday night.
Nature Museum Turning 160, Celebrates with Rock Voles and Chickens
This week the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum brings out some rare specimens from its vault and opens a new pop-up exhibit.
Photos: Inside the Mind of a 19th Century Chicago Streetcar Conductor
A digital exhibit from the Chicago History Museum explores a found diary from 1894.
Astrophysicist Jason Wright to Talk 'Aliens' at Adler Planetarium
The Penn State astronomer will discuss his involvement in an astrological event from 2014 which many at the time speculated to be a sign of alien life.
Comedy, Clock Decorating and Chicago's Cultural Mile
It's the Weekend Agenda: Jan. 8-10
Laugh out loud at a comedy festival, get your craft on and take an architectural tour.
Shedd Aquarium Announces New President
Bridget Coughlin will replace current CEO Ted Beattie, who retires this year.
Architecture Tells its Own Story at the Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Skokie museum designed by Chicago architect Stanley Tigerman is now offering architectural tours. Here's what you can expect.
Former Field Museum Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
A former employee of Chicago's Field Museum accused of stealing more than $900,000 from the museum pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to embezzling over $375,000.
Five Museum Exhibits Worth Checking Out Before They Close This Weekend
Charlie Brown, robots, and mammoths – check 'em out before they disappear in 2016.
Holiday Weekend Events: Celebrate the New Year
It's the Weekend Agenda: Dec. 31-Jan. 3
Spots to ring in the New Year and a peek at what else is going on this weekend–including the final days of the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
Bill to Reopen State Museum Under Rauner’s Review, But Staff Moving On
After being closed almost three months due to the state’s budget crisis, the Illinois State Museum has recently lost more staff members as it tiptoes ever closer to losing its accreditation in 2016.
Holiday Weekend Events: 'Christmas Carol' Gets a 21st Century Update
Gift wrap, feasts and relaxation are probably on tap this weekend. But what to do after holiday festivities? Check out our picks to continue the party.
Rarely Seen 'Chinese Madonna' Gets Unveiling at Field Museum
The scroll, which bears the seal of one of China's most famous painters, makes few appearances outside of its vault at the Field.
Weekend Events: The von Trapps, Handel's Messiah, 'Home Alone' and More
It's the Weekend Agenda: Dec. 18-20
This week's festive lineup includes movies, music and much, much more.
Woman Accused of Stealing $900K from Field Museum Has History of Theft, Records Show
Caryn Benson, 38, of Romeoville, was charged on Tuesday by the federal government with one count of embezzlement, but records show a past theft charge.
Former Field Museum Employee Stole $900,000, Documents Allege
A former museum employee allegedly pocketed more than $900,000 over a seven-year period before the theft was discovered. The former employee has yet to be formally charged.
