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. And I felt, what a shame it was I didn't really know those artists.". She has exactly the right resume, which is business experience, involvement with the school, substantial involvement with the museum and art. Not being able to be certain is part of why they are looking to gather the data, Gardner said, noting that it should be something thats readily accessible to state, with confidence, Oh, you are the first African American female to chair a (major) art museum board., Now, though, I dont know, because the datas not there.. According to the Chicago Tribune, Denise Gardner was recently appointed to serve at the helm of The Art Institute of Chicago's board; making her the first Black woman to assume the position. 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. Working with Gardner on such issues has been awesome, said Victoria Rogers, a younger-generation leader who grew up in Chicago and now lives in New York, and is a Brooklyn Museum trustee. Works by Black artists have surged in popularity in recent years, as curators and collectors reappraise their place in the canon. 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.. . Get Denise Gardner's email address (d*****@artic.edu) and phone number (773216..) at RocketReach. Scottish Environmental Activists Smash Glass Case of Sword inProtest, Thomas H. Lee, Collector of Photography and Contemporary Art, Is Dead at 78, Alice Waltons Art Bridges Foundation Is Buyer of $4.5 M. Robert Colescott Painting Auctioned by Bonhams Last Week, Ronald Lauder Reaches Agreement on Klimt Painting with Descendants of Original Jewish Owner. 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. This is really an important moment. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago President Elissa Tenny. Im looking forward to helping the museum move forward to becoming even more of a dynamic and leading cultural gathering place and institution in the city.. Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. On the business front, Gary enjoyed a long career starting and building beauty and personal care companies. an interesting story to share that you would like to see featured, please email But not his teammates. 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 lead a major museums board. 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. She and her husband, Gary, are avid art collectors with a strong interest in African American art and works by Chicago artists. 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. Resides in Naperville, IL. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's board of trustees. Denise's ethnicity is Caucasian, whose political affiliation is unknown; and religious views are listed as Christian. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. 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. How soon will people feel comfortable enough in crowds to return revenue to previous levels? In addition to her work with the Art Institute, Denise is a member of the boards of the Arts Club of Chicago and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and previously served on the executive committee of the Chicago Community Trust, the board of visitors of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University, and the boards of the Chicago Humanities Festival and the Chicago Public Library. 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. We want to hear from you! In 2019, the American Alliance of Museums, whose membership includes art museums, launched a national initiative to push diversity and inclusion on museum boards. I n November 2021, Denise Gardner became the Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). 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 experienced firsthand the benefits of making meaningful connections throughout the city. 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. 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. 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I like to exceed expectations.. CHICAGO- The Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. 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. 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. Its an honor to accept this role, said Gardner. Gardner has similarly advocated for under-represented artists from her position at the Art Institute. SAICs new faculty members represent a diverse range of practices, media, and methodologies and exemplify SAICs focus on interdisciplinary studies. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by, Federal/State Grants and Outside Scholarships, Career and Professional Experience (CAPX), Institute for Curatorial Research & Practice. 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 been a vice chair on the board for the past five years and was a clear choice as his successor, said Robert M. Levy, the current board chair. 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 . Denise Gardner, who has championed Black artists, as well as art accessibility and education for underrepresented audiences. Due to popular demand,Raven Theatrescritically-acclaimed Chicago premiere ofRight To Be Forgottenhas added an additional week of performances,extending through Sunday, April 2, 2023. Denise Gardner in Chicago, IL We found 16 records for Denise Gardner in Chicago, IL. Denise also answers to Denise A Gardner, and perhaps a couple of other names. And so I think about her and people like her. 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. A. Her history with the museum dates back to 1995, when she began her decades-long involvement with the Leadership Advisory Committee. Throughout my tenure as chair, she has been a thought partner and a valuable member of the executive committee. Sometimes Denise goes by various nicknames including Denise B Gardner, Denise R Gardener and Denise R Gardner. Robert M. Levy, the board's current chairman, will remain on the board after Gardner takes over in November. Lori Sapio, Denise Gardner, 2021. I really want people of all ages and backgrounds to feel welcome at the museum, at home at the museum, and that they belong there and that theres something there for them, she said. Similarly, a corollary issue is how we ensure that more audiences and communities will know, appreciate, and be inspired by art.. She has served on the boards of The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Humanities Festival. In this role, I can help the museum accelerate its progress.. But she is an avid art collector, a love she credits to her husband. 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. We know that Denise's political affiliation is currently a . I remember as an adult when I learned about Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence and I was almost a little angry why didnt I know about these artists?. Gardner was president of Insights & Opportunities, a marketing and strategic planning firm, and a co-founder of Namaste Laboratories, a beauty manufacturer. Her vision for the Art Institute reflects our commitment to an inclusive understanding of human creativity.. 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. We're here so people from all 77 neighborhoods of Chicago can come here, feel comfortable here and feel like there's something here for them," Gardner said. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Robert M. Levy, the current board chair, will remain on the board after Gardner assumes the position in November. She is someone who has always brought the curators into dialogue with Black makers that have been of interest to her. As chairperson of the Art Institutes board, Gardner will take on the challenge of navigating COVID-19, saying she admires Levy for his steady hand throughout the whole pandemic, through the closures of both the museum and the school and the impact on employees and staff.