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MCA 50th Wordmark - White MCA Stories
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One of My Biggest Supporters

Kerry James Marshall
Lew Manilow, a founding board member of the MCA, was one of Kerry's biggest supporters since the 1990s. 
1990s Artists Board Collectors Community
Kerry James Marshall, 7 am Sunday Morning, 2003. Acrylic on canvas banner; 120 x 216 in. (304.8 x 548.6 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Joseph and Jory Shapiro Fund by exchange, 2003.16. Photo: Michal Raz-Russo, © MCA Chicago.

A Visit From Michelle Obama

Kerry James Marshall
Kerry James Marshall describes guiding Michelle Obama through his exhibition, Kerry James Marshall: Mastry.
2010s Artists Exhibitions Visitors Women
21Minus, May 18, 2013. Photo © MCA Chicago.

An Invitation to Participate

Kerry James Marshall
Art in outdoor spaces extends an invitation to passersby to engage with the work, whether or not they intend to enter the museum.
Accessibility Chicago Community Exhibitions

Conversing and Learning

Matt Woods
Matt Woods discusses the benefits of being an MCA artist guide.
Accessibility Community Education Youth

Making the Future

Matt Woods
Matt Woods talks about influencing the future of Chicago.    
Accessibility Chicago Education Future Youth
Take your time: Olafur Eliasson Members’ Opening, May 7, 2009. Photo © MCA Chicago.

You Have to Be There

Matt Woods
Matt Woods describes the transformative power of Olafur Eliasson's moss installation.
2000s Artists Education Exhibitions Youth

Touching the Surface

Matt Woods
Matt Woods talks about creating dialogue as an MCA artist guide.
Artists Education Youth

Buddy’s Gift

Lisa Key
Buddy Mayer’s generous gift gave the trustees new confidence.
Building Donors Education Founders Staff

Taking Risks at the Armory Show

Allen Turner
The ideas that were generated by the successful Armory show—the last before it was demolished for the Chicago Avenue building—set the stage for some of the presentations at the new. . . more
1990s Building Chicago Avenue Exhibitions
© MCA Chicago

Joseph Kleihues

Allen Turner
Allen Turner talks about Joseph Paul Kleiheus, architect of the MCA's current building.
1990s Artists Building Global Move

Jerry Stone’s Sharp Fundraising

Allen Turner
Allen Turner reminisces on Jerry Stone’s incredible fundraising abilities.
Board Building Donors Move

Going Against the Postmodern Grain

Allen Turner
Initial reactions by critics to the Kleihues building were mixed.
1990s Building Design Move

Searching for an Architect

Allen Turner
The world-tour search for a new architect: Allen Turner describes the finalists for the building design commission.
Building Design Global Move

Bound Together by the MCA

Allen Turner
Many founders of the new MCA were outsiders who had not been invited to join the board of the Art Institute.
Board Collectors Community
Photograph of Jan van der Marck, 1970. Collection MCA Chicago Library and Archives.

Christo and Jan van der Marck

Christo
Christo became friends with the first director of the MCA, Jan van der Marck, just prior to the museum's founding. 
1960s Artists Building Christo Founders Jan van der Marck

Friends with the Founders

Christo
Christo's friendships with some of MCA's founders—dating back to the early sixties—led to the 1968 project Packed.
1960s Artists Christo Collectors Founders
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