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MCA 50th Wordmark - White MCA Stories
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Wrapping the MCA Sign

Christo
How fabric was stitched together to cover the MCA sign.
1960s Artists Christo Exhibitions Founders

Connecting Artists from Different Networks

Jeremy Kreusch
Jeremy sees his own artistic community represented at the MCA and is able to expose young people to that community, along with world-renowned artists.
Artists Community Education Performance Youth

Artist and Educator

Jeremy Kreusch
I as an artist and an educator have had the opportunity to blur those practices together in a way that I didn't think was possible. I thought that those were. . . more
Artists Education
Participants at 21Minus, May 17, 2014. Photo: Gillian Fry, © MCA Chicago.

Teens Run the Museum

Jeremy Kreusch
21Minus allows young people to organize and make serious choices about the museum.
Education Events Youth
TCA Members inside of Alexandre da Cunha’s Figurehead, 2015. Installation view,
 MCA Chicago Plaza Project: Alexandre da Cunha, Jul 18, 2015–Jul 24, 2016. Photo: Mikayla Delson, © MCA Chicago.

Brave, Ambitious, and Vulnerable

Jeremy Kreusch
Jeremy Kreusch discusses the unusual criteria for selecting members of the Teen Creative Agency.
Education Youth

Andy Warhol’s Balloons

Jeremy Kreusch
One of the most fun recent installations for students was Andy Warhol's Rainforest—the silver clouds featured in the exhibition Merce Cunningham: Common Time.
Education Exhibitions Youth
Judith Russi Kirshner. © MCA Chicago.

Chicago Citizens

Judith Kirshner
Judith Kirshner describes the generosity of early board members, including founding members Edwin and Lindy Bergman.
Board Chicago Collectors Community Founders
The front steps of the MCA. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

Looking Forward

Judith Kirshner
A museum's self-reflection is the catalyst for a robust future.
Chicago Collection Community Future
Installation view, Frida Kahlo, MCA Chicago, Jan 13–Mar 5, 1978. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Frida Kahlo at the MCA

Judith Kirshner
Judith Kirshner describes the origins and reception of Frida Kahlo's first solo exhibition in the United States.
1970s Artists Exhibitions Firsts

Creating a Dialogue

Donna Stone
In the early years, MCA docents challenged passive learning models, encouraging kids to ask questions.
Education Youth

The Fabric of Chicago

Helen Zell
The MCA has transformed itself from a quiet, undiscovered treasure to a part of the city's fabric.
Chicago Community Ontario Street
Naomi Beckwith. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

A Mesmerizing Curator

Helen Zell
Helen Zell has praise for Naomi Beckwith.
Artists Curatorial Exhibitions Staff

“Still Having Fun?”

Martin H. Nesbitt
Martin H. Nesbitt reflects on the inspiring leadership of Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn.
Board Community Directors Staff
Installation view, Circus: The Caribbean Orange, MCA Chicago, Jan 28–Feb 13, 1978. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Too Dangerous

Judith Kirshner
Convincing trustees and the fire department to approve Gordon Matta-Clark’s project Circus: The Caribbean Orange proved difficult.
1970s Artists Controversies Exhibitions Ontario Street

Balancing Life and the MCA

Helen Zell
Helen Zell's innovative contributions to the Women's Board led to further leadership roles.
Board Community MCA Store Women

A Place for Everyone to Feel at Home

Heidi Reitmaier
The MCA is building a greater capacity for creativity through experimental programs like In Progress.
Artists Community Events Exhibitions Staff
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