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. Gardner and his wife reside in Chicago, Illinois, where they run the Gary and Denise Family Foundation and maintain a private art collection. 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. Denise H Gardner, 60. She has built a personal collection of art that is internationally recognized and cultivated rich relationships with many artists and educators. That does add a sense of responsibility and pressure to succeed, and thats fine with me. 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. 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. For her part, Gardner was quick to praise women who have served on boards before her, particularly Jetta Jones, the Art Institutes first Black woman trustee. 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. 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. Gardner said her other priorities in this role include working on diversity, inclusion, equity and access. A. Will the role of an art museum change? 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. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's board of trustees. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago President Elissa Tenny. Gary had the idea to gut the lower level of their house and build a gallery-like, white cube space for contemporary art, which required several weeks of earth excavation to lower the floor by 20 inches. This job could have been hers., Art Institute of Chicago Names Its Next Board Chief, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/13/arts/design/denise-gardner-board-leader-art-institute-of-chicago.html. The appointment comes at a time when cultural institutions are seeking to diversify their staffs, boards and programming. ", 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. Its hard to avoid the historical significance, Gardner said in a telephone interview on Monday. For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the worlds most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Im just really focused on ensuring people from all backgrounds, from all ages, from throughout the 77 neighborhoods in Chicago feel welcome at the museum, they feel valued, they feel that they belong there and that theres something there for them to experience, Gardner said. Denise Gardner. 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.. Facebook gives people the power. 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. Her history with the museum dates back to 1995, when she began her decades-long involvement with the Leadership Advisory Committee. Gardner has experienced firsthand the benefits of making meaningful connections throughout the city. ARTnews is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Also known as Bair Denise Gardner, Denise G Bair. 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. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 70s Denise L Gardner Chicago, IL (Far Southeast Side) View Full Report Addresses S Clyde Ave, Chicago, IL 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. Gardner said she was brought to the Art Institute as a volunteer almost 27 years ago by Jetta Jones, the museums first Black female trustee, who died last weekend at 95. 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. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicagosboard of trustees. Dr. Gardner provides psychotherapy to parents, children, adolescents and young adults. But she and her husband Gary have been actively collecting art for over a decade. Id be lying if I didnt acknowledge the significance of [this] moment, and for me it means an extra sense of responsibility and pressure to do well, Gardner told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday. More info. Im particularly excited for our students, particularly our women students and our students of color.. Related To Michael Gardner. Denise joined the museum's board in 2006 and has been a member of the governing board of the School of the Art Institute since 2011. For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has been a leader in educating the worlds most Every month, we publish stories about our incredible community. And I felt, what a shame it was I didn't really know those artists.". Before leaving to join Team Israel, Cubs prospect Matt Mervis shared why this WBC means so much to him. We want to hear from you! We want to hear from you! 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. SAIC's suggested FAFSA priority deadline for each upcoming academic year is December 1 for Undergraduate Illinois Residents, January 1 for All Others. The Art Institute of Chicago announced today that Denise Gardner, a 15-year trustee of the museum and vice chair for the past five years, will succeed Robert Levy as chairman of the Art. Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. Denise Gardner is the first Black person and woman chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Art Institute of Chicago. She has served on the boards of The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Public Library and Chicago Humanities Festival. Denise Gardner's birthday is 05/18/1971 and is 51 years old. But not his teammates. Lori Sapio/ Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago. Students have many options when it comes to getting involved in the SAIC community. The World's Premier Art Magazine since 1913. I learned so much from watching her, watching how she managed progress and change at the board level at the Art Institute, Gardner said. If you have 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. A defensive stalwart, Oswego Easts Tyler Jasek surprises Joliet West. I hope she knows whats happening and I think she would have been overjoyed, Gardner said. 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. CHICAGOThe Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organizations new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. How soon will people feel comfortable enough in crowds to return revenue to previous levels? 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. I look forward to supporting her vision as board chair.. Denise has 3 jobs listed on their profile. Pediatric Psychotherapy Dr. Denise Gardner is the Associate Director of Pediatric Behavioral Health and a licensed Pediatric Psychologist at Primary Care Psychology Associates, LLC. AGE 70s Denise L Gardner Chicago, IL View Full Report Relatives Bruce Gardner Aisha Mia Gardner Richard J Gardner Nia Gardner Phone Address AGE 50s Shes thought to be the countrys first Black woman chairperson of a major museum board, though she said she wishes there was better evidence to confirm that. 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. I knew I was the first at the Art Institute. More recently, Denise has been president of a marketing consulting firm and Gary supports other entrepreneurs through his private equity firm. A former marketer and advertiser, she was president of the research-based marketing and strategic planning firm Insights & Opportunities, co-founder of Namaste Laboratories, and a former VP of Marketing at Soft Sheen Products Company. 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. Gary Gardner was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on July 13, 2019. ARTnews is a part of Penske Media Corporation. ", "You would never give me a paint brush; I wouldn't know what to do with it," Gardner said. Im looking forward to collaborating with her and the chair of SAICs board of governors, Anita Sinha, as we plan for the future.. Watch footage of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Marriott Theatre! Get Denise Gardner's email address (d*****@artic.edu) and phone number (773216..) at RocketReach. Its an honor to accept this role, Gardner said in a statement. . 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. But in Gardner, institution leaders said they believe the museum has found a guiding hand suited to the moment. 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. Anyone can read what you share. She is someone who has always brought the curators into dialogue with Black makers that have been of interest to her. 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. Gardner will succeed Robert M. Levy as the leader. That led to Gardner's work of ensuring the legacies of Black artists was shared with generations to come. CHICAGO, IL.- The Art Institute of Chicago announced today the election of Denise Gardner as the organization's new chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Her vision for the Art Institute reflects our commitment to an inclusive understanding of human creativity.. 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. Their dedication to access and equity in the arts has extended to college access for under-represented students, which they support through the Denise and Gary Gardner Scholarship Fund at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She certainly could have been chair.. 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. A 15-year trustee of the museum,. Given the Art Institutes ongoing commitment to diversity, he added, The experiences and the perspectives that she brings as a Black woman who is so connected to the city of Chicago will only be an asset., Gardner together with her husband, Gary was the lead individual sponsor of the museums 2018 exhibition, Charles White: A Retrospective, which traveled to the Museum of Modern of Art. I n November 2021, Denise Gardner became the Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC). View Denise Gardner's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. 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. Ive been inspired by her commitment to supporting artists and also cultural institutions for a while.. Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by Meanwhile, pre-pandemic, it had been developing an ambitious new plan for the future, one that included bringing in a European architecture firm to help it reimagine the museums sprawling physical space and even how it might adapt its mission to contemporary culture. With Kevin Durant now in the mix, the new-look Suns showed the Bulls just how much firepower they have. Among her priorities, she said, are making sure the institutions are as accessible as possible. I think Denise is really a transformational force. I was exhausted., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 10am PT/11am MT/12pm CT/1pm ET. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. She and her husband, Gary, are noted collectors., The decision, he said, was straightforward.. 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. 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. They never take it down; its there every day.. The Art Institute announced Tuesday that Chicago philanthropist and marketing executive Denise Gardner was elected chairperson of its board of trustees. Denise Garder is chair of the Art Institute of Chicago's board of trustees. An art collector, Gardner said she has many favorite pieces of art in the museum, but one of her favorites is the Two Disciples at the Tomb by Henry Ossawa Tanner, acquired by the Art Institute in 1906. . She has helped the museum craft impactful plans and programs to engage new audiences. 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. 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. Denise Gardner, who has championed Black artists, as well as art accessibility and education for underrepresented audiences. Denise is at the vanguard of making art and design education more inclusive, said School of the Art Institute of Chicago President Elissa Tenny. Board Chair, The Art Institute of Chicago Greater Chicago . 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. So we first understand that the experiences and the perspectives that she brings as a Black woman especially as a Black woman so connected to our city is only an additional set of assets as we focus on how we continue to deliver, and be held accountable to deliver, on our mission., Gardner, he added, has really emerged as a national leader in the space of talking about the diversity and diversification of art museum boards.. Denise also answers to Denise A Gardner, and perhaps a couple of other names. SAIC Recognized again for Excellence in Diversity. She said she thinks about it each Easter. Throughout my tenure as chair, she has been a thought partner and a valuable member of the executive committee. Representation is important.. African American Legacy (AAL) is a philanthropic initiative led by African American civic and community leaders who share the common goal of. 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. The Art Institute has trimmed staff amid significant revenue hits during the past pandemic year and has heard public calls from staff to do better on questions of diversity, equity and inclusion. 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. 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. 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. 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. I am thrilled that Denise has agreed to take on this responsibility, shared Levy. 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.