In this new exhibition, the Chicago-based Greek American photographer presents 80 historic works showcasing Chicago’s Greek American celebrations alongside other ethnic and cultural festivals and parades, primarily from the 1970s and 1980s. Depicted events include the Greek Independence Day Parade, Bud Billiken Day Parade, Chinese New Year Parade, Mexican Civic Society Parade, Jewish Festival and […]
This exhibit discusses the exploitation of Indigenous land and how imposed borders of nation-states have erased the natural land borders used by Indigenous peoples. Nine Sami artists and three Indigenous artists from Canada and the United States want to use this exhibit to start a dialogue, raise questions, and establish waypoints between their culture and […]
“The Negro Motorist Green Book” guided Black Americans to thousands of businesses for over thirty years. When the first “Green Book” was published, the American road was a metaphor for freedom: freedom to change your present situation, determine your destiny, and travel. Yet, in 20th-century America, this same road was a dangerous place for Black travelers. The […]
From 1908 to the mid 1930’s, Hilma Ljung photographed the village of Svalöv with her 4×5 glass plate view camera, showing us a rural Swedish woman's life.
AESTHETICS OF LOSS is a collection of work by seven artists who have experienced loss of family members recently. Their studios became places for grieving and understanding the sudden vacuum of losing loved ones either suddenly or over a long period of illness. Caregiving, memory, helplessness, loss and the ultimate mystery of death are explored […]
Over 36 years ago members of the Irish American Community had a vision to create a place that would hold the spirit of the past, the energy of the present and to keep their culture alive for the future. This non-for-profit organization brings the best in artistic avenues, and arts are an important part of […]
Pairing historic works and contemporary art, this exhibition reflects on the persistence of anti-colonial resistance, from the so-called "Indian Wars" to the "Global War on Terror".
Avid amateur photographer Jan Zawiliński documented Chicago’s Polish Downtown community in 1900-1924, leaving behind a fascinating record of everyday life.
From digital collage to painting to glasswork to photography, twelve non-male Diasporican artists explore their expansive identities and how they intersect in their own ways.
Organizers: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Pop-up books have a longer history than you might think. For centuries, books with interactive flaps, dials, and other moving parts have captivated readers of all ages.
As part of Andersonville InSidewalk Sale the Museum is hosting a mini Tantalizing Treasures Sale. Come find your treasure among things old and new during regular Museum hours. No admission to the sale.
Students in our Kinderschule (Saturday and Weekday Classes) will be presenting their art musings on Umweltschutz/Umweltschmutz (protecting/harming the environment) in our new DANK Treffpunkt. Come and see contemporary German-American artwork at its best, and meet the young artists at our opening reception. Exhibition runs through May 13, 2023. Free parking at 5/3 Bank after 6:00 PM located […]
A Passport to Haiti: An Immersive Cultural Workshop Series is a four-part program happening at HAMOC from March - June, 2023. Each month will feature a different part of Haitian culture. In March we will highlight Haitian cuisine and beverages. This specific program is a 21+ event, ID's will be required and checked upon entry. […]
A Passport to Haiti: An Immersive Cultural Workshop Series is a four-part program happening at HAMOC from March - June, 2023. Each month will feature a different part of Haitian culture. In March we will highlight Haitian cuisine and beverages. This specific program is a 21+ event, ID's will be required and checked upon entry. […]
Join us for the opening of our new Spotlight Series exhibition “What Color Am I” by Sarah Whyte. RSVP HERE Date: March 26, 2023 Time: 1-4pm Venue: Chinese American Museum of Chicago, 4th Fl Address: 238 W 23rd Street, Chicago, IL 60616 Statement About the Art Where does the paradox of being called a China doll and then being […]
Join us for this all ages, free Trickster Ziigwan (Early Spring) Camp with cultural teaching, crafts, storytelling, outdoor games, etc. Registration required: http://bit.ly/3Y1Cbcf Thanks to our sponsor Administration for Native Americans (A.N.A.)
Join HAMOC on March 29th, 2023 as Dr. Courtney Joseph completes a live oral history interview. Dr. Joseph is a professor at Lake Forest College and has been a longtime supporter of HAMOC. Admission to this event is by a suggested $10 donation or free for HAMOC members.
The debate as to whether Demotic (the spoken language of ordinary people) or Katharevousa (a cultivated recreation of Ancient Greek) should be the official language of Greece was a major political and cultural issue throughout the 19th and 20th century. A question of identity, class, and history, the language question has much to tell us […]
Enjoy gentle indoor Yoga classes at DANK-Haus. The class will be taught primarily in German, with the intro and outro in English. Those with little or no German experience are encouraged to come and follow along! In this class we will be flowing from pose to pose and linking movement with breath. We will combine […]
Join us at the amazing Haymarket House to dance, cheer on fellow singers, and take the stage to sing for our community fundraiser! Sign up and have your name drawn and maybe you'll be chosen to sing your favorite song on the stage!!! Tickets are now available and also raffles, drinks, and ticket bundles. Let […]
We love it when the Boils are here! Join us for the fun traditional and contemporary sounds of the Boils on Friday, March 31st, as they play for us in the Fifth Province. Enjoy our all-you-can-eat Friday Fish Fry with a pint of Fifth Province Ale! Fish Fry opens at 6:30pm, the Boils are on […]
This workshop will be held in-person at the Newberry. Interested in exploring the Newberry’s vast collection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, and primary sources but not sure where to start? Then this session is for you. In an informal orientation, Newberry librarians will introduce you to the Newberry and break down how to use our […]
Ready to start your Spring Cleaning? Don't throw those old items away! Bring them to the DANK Haus and let them become another family's treasure! You can donate items to the DANK Haus to sell in the Flohmarkt (Flea market), or you can rent your own table for $25 to sell your items. Tables are […]
This virtual program will be presented in Spanish and English, with English subtitles. The program will be available to view on our YouTube channel starting on 4/2; we will send the URL to registrants. In celebration of International Children’s Book Day, join us for insight into the Newberry's little-known collection of Spanish-language books for children […]
Organizers: Newberry Library, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Chicago
Scandinavian Jam, where we practice what we teach. Join Mary Allsopp and Paul Tyler online on the first and third Sunday of every month. Enjoy an afternoon of traditional roots music. We teach by ear, review and share tunes. We are happy to take suggestions and love meeting new people. It’s a friendly group and […]
In this NHM Discussion we will explore the often forgotten role of Greek Americans in the formation and success of the American Labor Movement. From the coal mines of the Rocky Mountains to the factories of the Rust Belt, Greek Americans were at the frontline of the fight for a fair and safe workplace. In […]
UIMA invites you to hear Haydn's The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross which he wrote in 1786 in response to a commission from the bishop of Spain’s Cadiz Cathedral. The bishop requested music to accompany the cathedral’s Good Friday service that year. In addition to introductory and concluding sections, Haydn wrote a movement for each of […]
Join us for a day of free admission at the Mitchell Museum on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stay tuned as we announce more free days in the coming months! For more information about this program, please contact: [email protected] | (847) 475-1030
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Join us for a day of free admission at the Mitchell Museum on Thursday, April 6, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Stay tuned as we announce more free days in the coming months! For more information about this program, please contact: [email protected] | (847) 475-1030
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Dinner will start at 5 p.m. followed by the movie at 5:30 p.m. We have the great opportunity to be able to show the new “The Emigrants” movie at the Museum. Produced by SF Studios, “The Emigrants” is a big-budget epic drama based on Vilhelm Moberg’s story about Swedes who left misery behind for a […]
Staff is working hard to get our new permanent exhibit “We Are America” ready to open in the fall! While we are developing the exhibit, we want your feedback! Come to the Museum for a test run of “We Are America” in our Main Gallery from April 7-16. This will be a smaller version of […]
We invite you to the exhibition UKRAINE WILL RESURRECT! April 7-30, 2023. Opening: Friday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. For over a year, each event in the Ukrainian National Museum is a reminder of the war against Ukraine by russian terrorists, which takes the best, killing children, schoolchildren, students, civilians, and soldiers who defend the […]
Spatial griots Andres L. Hernandez, Tonika Lewis Johnson and Roland Knowlden invite you to consider how socio-economic and geographic oppressions impact the way we see (or don’t see) our environments. Hernandez uncovers embedded histories and systems of power within built and speculative landscapes to imagine these spaces otherwise. Social justice artist Lewis Johnson advocates for […]
Join South Asia Institute in welcoming Ustad Zakir Hussain and the Masters of Percussion on Friday, April 7th at Symphony Center! Hussain is the “indisputable tabla maestro” (Gramophone), taking his instrument to the frontiers of Indian classical music while vastly expanding its presence on the world stage. For his long-running Masters of Percussion program, Hussain […]
Topic: Victorian Travelers in Scotland Presenter: Professor Kevin James, PhD Scottish Studies Foundation Chair, and Professor of History, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada This event is complimentary. To attend, please RSVP below or email [email protected].
A collaboration between The Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education and Sabeel Center. Join us for two free, exciting workshops hosted in person at Sabeel Center! (ALL WORKSHOPS ARE AGES 12+) On April 8th/ 11AM-1PM , try your hand at Islamic Calligraphy, with a workshop for beginners led by Aqsa Hashmi making Eid greeting cards. […]
Organizers: Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education
Immerse yourself in the captivating arts of Asia with a unique opportunity to sketch in our galleries. Our extensive collection spans five millennia, providing inspiration and discovery for artists of all levels. All materials will be provided. Join our Drop-In Sketching program, which invites visitors to unleash their creativity and connect with our collection of […]
Please join us for a Welcome Breakfast for CNAIR AY23 Artist-in-Residence, NOELLE GARCIA, who comes to us through a partnership with the Center for Native Futures. Chicago local artist Noelle Garcia (Klamath/Modoc/Paiute), is an artist who focuses on themes of identity, family history and recovered narratives in her multidisciplinary work. She will be spending several […]
The theater, both comedy and tragedy, began in Ancient Athens as part of the festival in honor of the god Dionysus. But theater also played an important role within Athenian democracy, a place where the city?s troubles and conflicts could be played out at a safe distance. Learn more about the connection between theater and […]
The theater, both comedy and tragedy, began in Ancient Athens as part of the festival in honor of the god Dionysus. But theater also played an important role within Athenian democracy, a place where the city?s troubles and conflicts could be played out at a safe distance. Learn more about the connection between theater and […]
BordersCruzadas: A Collaborative Story Oscar B. Castillo and Wil Sands April 12 - May 12, 2023 ART WORKS Projects 625 North Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60654 Hours: 11am - 4pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and by appointment. Contact [email protected] for more information or press materials. BordersCruzadas: A Collaborative Story is an ongoing research project by photographers Oscar […]
Immigration is one of the most politicized issues in the United States, as politicians across both aisles debate the fate of people fleeing violence, poverty, trafficking, hunger, and and Cathy Edelman, from Illinois based nonprofit CASE Art Fund , presenting two sides of a very complex issue facing the US Southern border. BordersCruzadas: A Collaborative […]
Estimadas amigas y amigos, Cordialmente invitadas e invitados a este “dialogo entre mujeres” coordinado por el comité de mujeres de Casa Michoacán DuPage, el objetivo es promover la sororidad entre las mujeres del área del condado de DuPage a través de dar respuesta a preguntas generadoras de reflexión como: ¿Por qué migran ahora más las […]
The Chicago Latino Film Festival began in 1985 with 14 films projected onto a concrete wall for an audience of 500. Today, the Festival screens close to 100 films from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal and the United States. The Festival offers Chicago film lovers from all walks of life the opportunity […]
This program will be held in-person at the Newberry and livestreamed on Zoom. The online version of this event will be live captioned. Please register below. In-Person Registration Livestream Registration This installment of “Conversations at the Newberry” features award-winning novelists Rebecca Makkai and Meg Wolitzer. In this event, Chicago author Rebecca Makkai (I Have Some […]
Presented by the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative Education Committee For additional questions visit https://chicagoaicc.com/7th-annual-urban-native-education-conference/ or contact Education Committee Co-Chairs: Josee Starr: [email protected] Aaron Golding: [email protected]
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Enjoy gentle indoor Yoga classes at DANK-Haus. The class will be taught primarily in German, with the intro and outro in English. Those with little or no German experience are encouraged to come and follow along! In this class we will be flowing from pose to pose and linking movement with breath. We will combine […]
This panel and Q&A will provide you with insights on hot topics of German citizenship, from obtaining to retaining it. Hanna Tetz and Fabienne Kloster of the Chicago German Consulate will give you an understanding of the different application procedures, modalities of dual citizenship, relating family matters and share the news on the latest developments […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
10:30 AM Español (Spanish) OR 12:30 PM English (Inglés) Come and be a part of an engaging artist discussion with Raul Ortiz Bonilla. He will delve into the inspiration behind his art and share his unique painting approach that focuses on the use of dots (puntos). Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights into the […]
Organizers: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
The Field Tour Program is designed for children of all ages to journey through Asia's rich and diverse cultures. The program runs Sunday from 2 to 3 pm and is free for children . We are excited to offer a special tour designed just for children. On this tour, Children will embark on a journey […]
llinois Holocaust Museum, Sheerit Hapleitah of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Chicago, and CJE SeniorLife Holocaust Community Services present “Voices of Children,” a collection of songs performed by Campanella Children’s Choir. The program will feature excerpts from memoirs of local Holocaust Survivors that highlight what their lives were like as children. The commemoration […]
Celebrate Earth Day 2023 with a screening of Powerlands, an award-winning documentary by Navajo filmmaker Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso. We offer two ways to see the film. Watch the movie virtually at your leisure anytime from April 17-May 1, 2023, or join us in person at our watch party followed by a virtual discussion with […]
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
This program will be held in-person at the Newberry and livestreamed on Zoom. The online version of this event will be live captioned. Please register below. In-Person Registration Livestream Registration Join us for an in-depth look at the Newberry’s rich holdings of choirbooks from colonial Mexico, which combined European forms with Indigenous traditions to produce […]
Join us at the South Asia Institute (1925 S. Michigan Avenue) for a lecture hosted by Wrightwood 659, book signing, and reception with Shahidul Alam, a humanitarian activist, institution builder, and prominent South Asian photographer. Following the War of Independence in his home country of Bangladesh, Alam witnessed the effects of political upheaval, from the […]
Join Chicago Historian and TikTok star Shermann Dilla Thomas for an interactive tour of The Green Book and the neighborhood of Bronzeville. Starting off at the Museum, you’ll explore the national story of the Green Book through our exhibition before taking a bus into the city to see the real-life buildings and companies listed in […]
This program will be held in-person at the Newberry and livestreamed on Zoom. Please register below. In Person Registration: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0057-0014-2f2f81d2b8ce47f4ba6295f3d1b6ffa2 Livestream Registration: https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0057-0014-5786c78d15a14da5ae397bb4a85e7f10 If you're attending the in-person event, please bring your own laptop. Refreshments will be provided. Join as we transcribe handwritten letters from the Newberry's collections for National Volunteer Week! You'll get a […]
Artists from Sweden and Chicago collaborate to create original works interpreting early 20th century letters to Chicago immigrant Emil Olsson from his family in Sweden.
Hosted by the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago and curated by SAIC (School of Art Institute of Chicago) KSA (Korean Student Association) Curating team, the invitational exhibition asks each artist what their Utopia looks like. In this exhibition, we invite you to explore the concept of Utopia through the lens of ten rising Korean artists. […]
For most outsiders, Puerto Rico is a vacation destination. But Puerto Rico’s brutal colonial experience has shaped her musical expression over the centuries. This lecture will focus on how traditional and contemporary forms have provided a platform for creative expression and resistance to all forms of oppression. Video and audio recordings and slides from Mr. […]
Writing Historical Fiction by Maria Bouroncle Maria is a Swedish author. An economist by profession, she spent over 25 years in the field of international development before publishing her first novel in 2018. It Came to Me on a Whim has been translated into several languages and is currently used on the Scandinavian Crime Literature […]
Lorimar Matos's art is truly inspiring, and her passion for creating Vejigante masks is contagious! This is a great way to learn about the art of Vejigante masks, and to appreciate Puerto Rican culture. We encourage families to come enjoy this art project together. This is an all-ages family event. Children must be accompanied by […]
Organizers: The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
In December 2022 Pullman National Monument was designated a National Historical Park. It’s only the second national park site in Illinois. Join Pullman Park Ranger, Grace Kruse, to learn about the Pullman “experiment” and what this designation means to Chicago and the South Side. This program is FREE with advanced registration. Learn about the Pullman […]
Back by popular demand, the Museum’s Teen Leadership Board and Young Professional Board have partnered again for the 2nd annual Open House Day at the Museum. Admission will be free for all to experience the Museum’s exhibitions, hear Survivor stories and see some of their rarely displayed artifacts, participate in an art activity, and much […]
Back by popular demand, the Museum’s Teen Leadership Board and Young Professional Board have partnered again for the 2nd annual Open House Day at the Museum. Admission will be free for all to experience the Museum’s exhibitions, hear Survivor stories and see some of their rarely displayed artifacts, participate in an art activity, and much […]
Members only event. Members are welcome to attend this year’s annual meeting. Meet our new board and learn about all that has happened at the Museum in 2022 as we look forward to 2023. This event is free but reservations are required to receive a Zoom code. Reservations can be made via email [email protected] or […]
Join us April 25th at Trickster Cultural Center for our upcoming "The Art of the Blues" exhibit featuring works by Howard Greenblat, David Tepper, and Trish Panpoulous.
This exhibition tells the story of building with mass timber and features architectural models of mass timber projects, from public spaces to office buildings.
Join us for a special panel discussion exploring the wide world of mass timber design and construction, coinciding with the opening of our new exhibition, ReFramed: The Future of Cities in Wood. This program is FREE with advanced registration. Both In-Person & Virtual options are available. Following the panel discussion, attendees will be able to view […]
The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA and The Chicago Scots invite you to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Hill House A conversation with Philip Long OBE FRSE, Chief Executive, National Trust for Scotland and Tony Jones CBE, Former Director, Glasgow School of Art President-emeritus, Art Institute of Chicago about Scotland, design, and conservation, from the […]
Art Deco is not just for downtown. Explore the city’s north, west and south sides and discover a variety of landmark Art Deco buildings whose lavish and colorful ornament reflect the prosperity and optimism of the Roaring 20s. The buildings highlighted in this program—big banks, small commercial buildings and residences both big and small—are among […]
Between 1204 and 1669, Crete (the largest Greek island) was under the control of the Republic of Venice, an upstart maritime power now most remembered for its role in the Italian Renaissance. And Crete was an important part of Venice's late medieval and early modern cultural flourishing. Join this NHM Discussion to learn more about […]
Each quarter, HAMOC opens its space to new and upcoming artists to further uplift community members and artists all over the nation. This quarter, HAMOC is excited to welcome several students from Harry S Truman College to display their work in our space. Join us on April 27th from 12:00 to 1:00 to hear about […]
Join us at 2 p.m. at the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration for a story and craft on the last Thursday of each month. All ages are welcome to attend with a caregiver for this free (with admission) program. While there is no additional cost to attend, reservations are appreciated and can be made via […]
This program will be held in-person at the Newberry and livestreamed on Zoom. The online version of this event will be live captioned. Please register below. In-Person Registration Livestream Registration How do novelists and historians write about war, empire, and power? How do they translate deep research into compelling narrative? How do they think about […]
The Swedish-American Historical Society is hosting a dinner and show at the Museum: “Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum” created by and starring Shelley Cooper Social Hour at 5:30 Dinner at 6:00 (catered by Tre Kronor Restaurant) Show at 7:00 More information click here. Tickets click here.
Скъпи приятели, заповядайте на кино прожекциите по случай 80-ата годишнина от спасението на българските евреи по времето на Холокоста. 30 април от 11:30ч.| център “Магура” ВХОД СВОБОДЕН #киновмагура 1.224.800.1538 415 W. Golf Rd. #7, Arlington Hghts The feature-length documentary by directors Niya Alexandrova and Ayelet Heller breaks history through the untold personal and emotional stories […]
The Assyrian Cultural Foundation is honored to unveil the highly anticipated release of "Phases of Civilization: An Assyrian Legacy." Immerse yourself in this cinematic experience on April 30th at 12pm (CST) as we celebrate the rich history and contributions of the Assyrian people. The movie will be available on our YouTube channel below: https://youtu.be/wz4R3EVPdQE The […]
Join us for a discussion with Sarah Whyte, Danae Kovac, and Joy Messinger on understanding adoptees’ identity. This is an in-person event. RSVP HERE This panel works toward understanding adoptees’ relationship to the Asian American Community. They seek to examine, where does the complications of being a person of color raised by white parents leave […]
Join us May 1-6 as we support and honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. We're planning a week of activities starting May 1 with a Red Sand event outside the AIC beginning at 6 p.m. On Tuesday and Thursday, we will be offering MMIW-focused beading classes throughout the day, beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, we […]
Visit the Mitchell Museum for FREE on May 4th and 5th for guided public tours and family red dress crafts by St. Kateri Center of Chicago. Friday, May 5th, is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. In observance of this occasion, the Mitchell Museum invites you to visit us […]
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
In this NHM Discussion we will explore the often forgotten role of Greek Americans in the formation and success of the American Labor Movement. From the coal mines of the Rocky Mountains to the factories of the Rust Belt, Greek Americans were at the frontline of the fight for a fair and safe workplace. In […]
Join us for our artist discussion about their work and who they are as artists. There will be a live Q&A at the end of each discussion. Valaria Tatera is a Wisconsin based installation artist, activist and lecturer whose work investigates the intersection of ethnicity, gender, commerce, and the environment. An enrolled member of the […]
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Enlace sera annunciado pronto! ¡Hay 1,5 millones de organismos en el mundo, y dos tercios de ellos son insectos! ¡Únase a nosotros mientras exploramos más sobre los insectos con nuestros amigos en Lincoln Park Zoo! There are 1.5 Million organisms in the world, and two thirds of them are insects! Join us as we explore […]
Korean Cultural Center of Chicago program *Korean Games and Crafts *Korean Book Storytelling *Museum Tour *Hanbok Doll Exhibition *Tote bag Decoration Associates Class Experience *Art Classes *Korean Traditional Dance (Event 2 only) *Korean Traditional Music (Event 2 only) Date: Sat. May 6, 2023 Pre-registration is required Register for Event 1 (11am-1pm) or Event 2 (1:30pm-3:30pm) […]
Join us and show your Polish pride by marching with the Polish Museum of America to celebrate the 232nd anniversary of the Polish Constitution, the first democratic constitution in Europe. The Parade begins at 11:30 am on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The PMA is Unit #12. We are meeting at the corner of Columbus Dr. […]
J. Gibran Villalobos is an arts administrator, educator, and cultural worker. He has served as Senior Program Officer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as the Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Artists Coalition, and faculty lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously, he has held posts as Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager for the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Cultural Liaison for the Chicago Park District, and Curator-in-Residence for the Chicago Cultural Center. In 2016 he attended the Advocacy Leadership Institute and was invited to the White House Office of Public Engagement, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak to issues affecting Latinos in Chicago. In 2017 he launched an inaugural summit of Latinx artists and administrators across the U.S; for this project he was awarded the Act Up Award by the Chicago Community Trust. His work has been presented at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano during the 2017 Havana Biennial. In 2019 he was an inaugural recipient of the Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago Award as well as the Americans for the Arts 2019 Leaders of Color Fellowship. In 2020, he joined the Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy where he worked with government and nonprofit sector participants to think about effective policy for Chicago’s cultural industries. He helped establish the Auxiliary Board at the National Museum of Mexican Art. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Department of Arts Administration & Policy.
Gibran holds a BA in Art History and a BS in Public Relations from Northern Arizona University and an MA in Arts Administration & Policy and MA in Modern Art History & Theory from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
He has contributed to exhibitions such as Direct Message, presenting the artwork of Chicago artistic collectives and their relation to language and civic engagement. As part of an international project, he has convened the MCA Chicago with the Tate Modern, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Queens Museum and other institutions to create dialogue on civic engagement within contemporary art institutions. He has written catalog entries for Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Rodrigo Lara Zendejas, and Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford. In 2021, he is contributing to the upcoming retrospective on the work by artist Andrea Bowers focusing on the activism and archives of Emma Lozano. He is curator of the symposium Fractures: Creating Around Devastation focusing on water ecology, civic engagement, activism, and architecture.
Loreal Robertson
Board Member
Loreal Robertson is a native Chicagoan who recently returned home in 2021 where she began working at the University of Chicago. In her role she oversees and monitors a range of programs, services, and resources to support the retention, wellness, belonging, and success of graduate students. Additionally, her role includes informing strategic priorities, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, professional development, student advancement and the support of students who may be experiencing financial academic, or personal challenges, including students with disabilities and international students.
Loreal has over 10 years of experience in higher education and student affairs. In 2021 she received the Inclusion and Diversity Champion Award from Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), where she was previously employed. Loreal’s personal and professional philosophy is creating and promoting spaces and opportunities where everyone can see themselves as part of an experience and feels represented.
Loreal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from TAMUK.
Loreal is a financial and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, an avid reader, and enjoys traveling with family and friends.
Warren Frank
Treasurer
Warren Frank is a retired CPA and CFO, and current Adjunct Professor at Columbia College.
Warren worked at such CPA firms as KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte, and Not For Profit organizations as National Association of Realtors, Chicago Associations of Realtors, Anixter Center, and Chinese American Service League.
Warren is a Chicago resident in the Lakeview neighborhood. He attended Loyola University of Chicago for his bachelor degree and Northwestern University for his master degree.
Colleen McGaughey
Board Member
Colleen McGaughey (she/her) is the director of development at the National Public Housing Museum, where she leads the strategic direction of the museum’s fundraising efforts with a focus on creative and community-centric approaches.
Mario Longoni
Board Member
Mario Longoni is a cultural anthropologist (“Lead Environmental Social Scientist”) in the Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum. For over 20 years, he has worked with individuals and organizations to surface and activate cultural and natural assets (specific strengths and characteristics) to help communities meet the challenges they face.
Rob Fojtik
Board Member
Rob Fojtik is Vice President for Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism and convention promotion bureau. In this capacity, Rob oversees efforts to promote and support Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods to visitors from near and far. Programs include the award-winning Neighborhood Content Creator program that leverages resident-made digital content, and Chicago Alfresco, a $2.5 million placemaking initiative created in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation to transform public spaces into community plazas for outdoor enjoyment.
Before coming to Choose Chicago, Rob was a Senior Advisor to Mayor Lightfoot on economic development and international relations at City Hall, as well as LGTBQ+ affairs and the expanded outdoor dining program. In this role, he also worked to recommend and place over 150 civic leaders and residents onto City boards and commissions. Prior to government service in the Lightfoot administration, Rob ran her winning campaign in the crowded 2019 Chicago mayoral race as Chief of Staff. In past lives, Rob has worked as a public affairs manager for a Fortune 500 company downtown; had misadventures in management consulting, art sales, and personal cheffing; and spent time in Washington DC working for former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Rob also served a one-year appointment at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence as a policy advisor on Central and Eastern Europe. In this role, he was part of the NSC’s interagency process to develop a comprehensive sanctions regime on Russia as a consequence of its 2014 invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.
After receiving his BA in Slavic Languages and Literature at Northwestern University, Rob lived and worked in the Czech Republic teaching English and tending bar before moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a MA from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies (CERES). He enjoys cooking, learning foreign languages, hiking with his partner and their dog, and visiting Chicago’s many neighborhoods.
Paul Durica
Board Member
Dr. Paul Durica is the Director of Exhibitions at the Chicago History Museums and worked in a similar capacity at The Newberry Library. From 2015-2020, he served as the Director of Programs and Exhibitions with Illinois Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Prior to that he drew upon his work as a writer, researcher, and teacher to produce a series of free and interactive talks, walks, and reenactments focused on narratives from Chicago’s past that resonate with its present.
These public history programs led to collaborations with cultural institutions in the city such as the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago History Museum, Newberry Library, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chicago Cultural Center among others.
Each program made use of both his original research and the skills of the arts organizations, community groups, local businesses, and publications that acted as my partners. Some of these programs, such as the full-scale reenactment of the Haymarket Affair in 2011, involved recruiting and directing over 300 volunteers and 1,000 participants.
To produce these programs successfully, he wrote grants; managed budgets; generated web content; worked closely with program partners of varying sizes and resources; and identified, engaged, and sustained a diverse multi-generational audience.
Lynessa Rico
Board Member
Dr. Lynessa M. Rico is the Associate Chair of the Business Psychology Department at the The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Chicago campus. She is also a business mentor at 1871.
Lynessa is a results-driven Strategic Consultant with over 25 years of experience enabling leaders to meet strategic business objectives by identifying and aligning business growth opportunities with strategic direction of culturally diverse organizations. By leveraging her strategic experience in identifying and impacting business growth opportunities and maximizing profits in retail firms and higher education institutions, Lynessa leads workshops focused on the creative mindset, women’s entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the value and application of design thinking within entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her services also include consulting with and educating leadership on emotional intelligence, the power of design thinking and the creative mindset, and leadership styles to support inclusive, creative workplaces. She has presented to leadership and innovation teams in small, mid-size, and Fortune 500 companies.
Lynessa received her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Management from Wichita State University. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University with a focus in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. After earning her master’s degree, Lynessa received her doctorate in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she successfully completed her dissertation titled, “The Relationship Between Personality Types and Color Preference for Color Combinations.” Her current research interests include women’s entrepreneurship, design thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship self-efficacy.
Outside of work and research, Lynessa enjoys mentoring start-ups and judging pitch competitions. Lynessa currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with her four cats. She is an avid long-distance runner, having completed 5 full marathons (and counting), and enjoys watching musical theater.
Briana Thomas
Board Member
Briana Thomas is the Museum Associate at the Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education (a core member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance). She wears many hats including developing exhibition content, facilitating community programs (children and adults), liaising with visitor artists, and other responsibilities. Her previous experience in the nonprofit space includes her tenure as the Financial Empowerment Coordinator at AMERICORPS Sharing Life Center as well as engaging with the public at the Dallas Arboretum. Her past professional experience has remained rooted in marginalized communities. It is their needs, discourse and histories that she has routinely been tasked with protecting and showcasing in the face of poor infrastructure, and willing ignorance. Creating safe spaces is an ancestral practice she has inherited.