Go inisde reheartsals with newly released photos and video of the company in action! 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. We want to hear from you! Related To Michael Gardner. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. She was an early buyer of Amy Sherald, whose popularity has surged since her official portrait of Michelle Obama, which hangs in the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery. She has served on the boards of The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Humanities Festival. She will take the steering role at the encyclopedic art museum and leading art college at a pivotal moment in their history. 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. I didnt know I was the first in the nation. 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. Gardner built a career as a leader in her field: president of Insights & Opportunities, cofounder of Namaste Laboratories, and vice president of Soft Sheen Products. Distribution and use of this material are governed by CHICAGOThe Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organizations new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 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. While their holdings include the works of major historical figures like Norman Lewis, Jack Whitten, Elizabeth Catlett, and Charles White, they have intentionally focused on purchasing the work of living artists. I think Denise is really a transformational force. He will remain on the board, according to a news release from the Art Institute. Coming out of the pandemic, Gardner said, Its a time for innovation, renewal and thinking intentionally about making progress. She said its heartening that the museum has begun to liven again. Her history with the museum dates back to 1995, when she began her decades-long involvement with the Leadership Advisory Committee. 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. Her history with the museum dates back to 1995, when she began her decades-long involvement with the Leadership Advisory Committee. And I felt, what a shame it was I didn't really know those artists.". Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago president Elissa Tenny. Gardner has a longstanding commitment to access, diversity, and equity in the arts. ', Amy Sherald/Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago. Sculpture: Hero Construction, 1958, Richard Hunt (BA 1957, HON 1979). Denise and Gary Gardner, who built one of the preeminent collections of Black artists, are adding works by Lorna Simpson, Bethany Collins and Candida Alvarez. 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. We know that Denise's political affiliation is currently a . Denise Gardner, who will start in the post in November, is believed to be the countrys first Black woman to lead a major museum board. The Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. ", 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. Resides in Naperville, IL. 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. Liked by Denise Gardner. She will succeed Robert Levy as the leader of the governing body when his term ends in November. 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. Every month, we publish stories about our incredible community. It has been my honor to partner with Denise for many years, said James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the museum. She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. Join ArtTable's Chicago Chapter for a conversation with Denise Gardner as she shares insights and experiences from her career journey, including roles as a senior executive in the marketing and beauty/hair care industries, a passionate art collector and philanthropist, a dedicated member of numerous boards and committees, and her newest role as the first woman . Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Denise Gardner Greater Chicago Area Denise Gardner Medien- und Kommunikationsdesignerin bei ANTHEC GmbH & Co. KG Burscheid ANTHEC GmbH & Co. KG, +3 more WAM die Medienakademie Denise. In this role, I can help the museum accelerate its progress.. Representation is important.. We found 15 records for Denise Gardner in Chicago, Elgin and 8 other cities in Illinois. She has led the couples significant art collecting, particularly of Black women artists. 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. (The Gardners own three White works on paper.). 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.. I am grateful to our current chair, Bob Levy, for his leadership, particularly as we navigated the uncertainty of the past year. The Art Institute of Chicago announced the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees, succeeding 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. Similarly, a corollary issue is how we ensure that more audiences and communities will know, appreciate, and be inspired by art.. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. Throughout my tenure as chair, she has been a thought partner and a valuable member of the executive committee. Subscribe today and save! . But in Gardner, institution leaders said they believe the museum has found a guiding hand suited to the moment. Denise's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Lori Sapio/ Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago. CircEsteem has announced the return of Casino Night, a night of both winning and giving back to the communities we serve. This is really an important moment. Chicago, IL. A longtime trustee of the museum, Gardner will be the first African American and the first woman to hold the position. Notable alumni and faculty include Georgia OKeeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons. 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. communications@saic.edu and we'll 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. Levy will remain on the board and Gardner will take over as chair when Levy's term ends in November. Gary Gardner was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on July 13, 2019. 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. 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. I n November 2021, Denise Gardner became the Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). I like to exceed expectations.. More recently, Denise has been president of a marketing consulting firm and Gary supports other entrepreneurs through his private equity firm. . 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. Denise Gardner, 66, has worked at the Art Institute for nearly 30 years, including 15 years as a trustee and five years in her current role as vice-chairman of 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. As a member of the Black Trustees Alliance, Gardner is developing key relationships across institutions and playing a critical role in shaping the future of arts leadership throughout the country. Beyond collecting, the Gardners are passionate about ensuring that works by artists from the diaspora are shared and appreciated by the broader public, particularly young people. Thursday, April 15, 2021. Gardner has experienced firsthand the benefits of making meaningful connections throughout the city. Its an honor to accept this role, said Gardner. Throughout my tenure as chair, she has been a thought partner and a valuable member of the executive committee. Denise has 3 jobs listed on their profile. Gardner, who has a nearly-30 year relationship with the Art Institute, has served as a philanthropist and volunteer and spent 15 years as a trustee and five years in her current role as vice chair of the board. 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. Denise Gardner. A 15-year trustee of the museum, Gardner will be the first African-American and first woman leader of the governing body for the museum and the School of the Art Institute.