School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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School of the Art Institute of Chicago


Established	1866
Type	Private
President	President Tony Jones
Undergraduates	2,099
Location	Chicago, IL, USA
Campus	Urban
Colors	Teal, Gold
Mascot	Artie the Lion
Affiliations	Art Institute of Chicago
Website	www.saic.edu

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a fine arts college located in Chicago, Illinois and is overseen by President Tony Jones. The dean of students is Carol Becker. It is a professional college of the visual and related arts, accredited since 1936 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and since 1944 (charter member) by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It is currently seeking accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Its downtown Chicago campus consists of five buildings located in the immediate vicinity of the Art Institute of Chicago. SAIC is in an equal partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago and share many administrative resources such as design, construction, and human resources.

SAIC is in no manner related to The Art Institutes chain of schools.

[edit] History

In 1866, a group of 35 artists founded the Chicago Academy of Design in a studio on Dearborn Street, with the intent to run a free school with its own art gallery. The organization was modeled after European art academies, such as the Royal Academy, with Academians and Associate Academians. The Academy's charter was granted in March 1867.

Classes started in 1868, meeting every day at a cost of $10 per month. The Academy's success enabled it to build a new home for the school, a five story stone building on 66 West Adams Street, which opened on November 22, 1870.

However, the Great Chicago Fire the following year destroyed the building, along with a great deal of the rest of Chicago, and threw the Academy into debt.

Attempts to continue in spite of the loss, using rented facilities, failed. By 1878, the Academy was $10,000 in debt. Members tried to rescue the ailing institution by making deals with local businessmen, before finally abandoning it in 1879 to found a new organization, named the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. When the Chicago Academy of Design went bankrupt the same year, the new Chicago Academy of Fine Arts bought its assets at auction.

In 1882, the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts changed its name to the current Art Institute of Chicago. The same year, they purchased a lot on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Van Buren Avenue for $45,000. The property's building was leased, and a new building was constructed behind it, to house the school's facilities.

With the announcement of the World's Columbian Exposition to be held in 1892–93, the Art Institute pressed for a building on the lakefront to be constructed for the fair, but to be used by the Institute afterwards. The city agreed, and the building was completed in time for the second year of the fair. The construction costs were paid by selling the Michigan/Van Buren property. On October 31, 1893, the Institute was allowed to move into their new building.

In 2006, the Art Institute began construction of "The Modern Wing", an addition situated on the southwest corner of Columbus and Monroe. Completion of the project, designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Renzo Piano, is scheduled for 2009.

Between 1959 and 1970, the Institute was a key site in the battle to gain art & documentary photography a place in galleries, under curator Hugh Edwards and his assistants.

[edit] Ranking

According to U.S. News & World Report, as of 2007, tied with RISD and Yale for first place as America's best overall graduate program for fine arts. SAIC took 1st place for photography, 2nd place for painting, 3rd place for visual communications, and 3rd place for sculpture.^[1]

[edit] Notable Alumni

The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey (1963)

Interrogation II, by Leon Golub 1981.

Enrique Alferez, Sculptor
Thomas Hart Benton, painter
Roger Brown (B.F.A. 1968, M.F.A. 1970), painter
Natalie Bookchin
John Chamberlain, sculptor
John Churchill Chase, cartoonist
Silas Dilworth, graphic designer, typographer
Walt Disney (did not graduate), animator, founder of Disney
Nora Dunn, actress
Ulric Ellerhusen, sculptor
Leon Golub, painter
Edward Gorey, illustrator
Art Green, painter, original member of The Hairy Who
Halston, fashion designer
Stieg Hedlund (attended 1984–1985) video game designer (Diablo, Diablo II, StarCraft)
Hugh Hefner (took anatomy classes), founder of Playboy
Herblock (studied there as a youth), political cartoonist, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner
Don Herold, humorist (did not graduate)
Jeff Koons, sculptor
Raúl Martínez, Cuban painter and Pop artist
Santiago Martinez Delgado, Colombian Muralist, painter, illustrator, Sculptor
Bill Mauldin, political cartoonist (did not graduate), two-time Pulitzer Prize winner
Joan Mitchell, painter
Elizabeth Murray, painter
Georgia O'Keeffe (did not graduate, attended 1905–1906), painter
Claes Oldenburg (attended from 1950–1954), sculptor
Ed Paschke, painter
Cynthia Rowley, fashion designer
David Sedaris (B.F.A. 1987), author, humorist
Victor Skrebneski, fashion photographer
Mark Tobey, painter
Sarah Vowell (M.A. 1996), author, humorist
Orson Welles, filmmaker
Grant Wood, painter, "American Gothic" (1930)
Wen Yiduo, Chinese poet, scholar
Fischerspooner, music group and performers
Gahan Wilson, cartoonist
Karl Wirsum, painter, original member of The Hairy Who
Chris Ward, also known as mc chris, a nerdcore rapper

[edit] Notable Faculty

[edit] Controversy

[edit] The Harold Washington Incident

"Mirth & Girth" by David Nelson, 1988

In 1988, a student painting of Harold Washington who was the first black mayor of Chicago was torn down by the city's aldermen based on its content. The painting, "Mirth & Girth" by David Nelson, was of Washington clad only in women's underwear holding a pencil. Washington had died recently and was rumored to be gay. ^[2] The city council discussed this matter to great length claiming that the author was mentally unstable and the work as a disgrace to the city. The aldermen then met with the school's director and with police had the painting "arrested" for its inflammatory content.

The painting was returned damaged subsequently after a lengthy lawsuit involving the ACLU, but Nelson received payment for that. The ACLU claimed the removal violated Nelson's First, Fourth, and Fourteenth amendment rights.

[edit] The "Dread Scott" Incident

In 1989, a student named Dread Scott had draped the American flag across the floor for a piece titled "What Is The Proper Way To Display A U.S. Flag?" which resulted in a media frenzy. The piece was a podium with a notebook for viewers to express how they felt the flag should be displayed, but the podium was set on a flag laid on the floor. In order for viewers to write in the notebook, they would have to walk on the flag. Viewers were occasionally arrested at the request of veterans. ^[3]

The school stood by the student's display in the face of protests and threats. That year, the school's federal funding was cut from $70,000 to $1 and many benefactors pulled donations. Later on, the school would refuse to allow him to display the piece at his BFA thesis exhibition.

The piece has been displayed throughout numerous galleries in the country after this incident including the show "Our Aim Is To Destroy Them!" by the Near NorthWest Arts Council Gallery in 1988.

Dread Scott is often associated with David Nelson due to time between the works, but Scott distances himself from Nelson and has been quoted saying, "[Nelson] doesn't mind promoting racism, doesn't mind promoting homophobia, doesn't mind promoting, you know, the oppression of women. I want to liberate people from all of that."^[4]

[edit] Departments and Degrees

SAIC offers a broad range of fine arts degrees and is interdisciplinary; a selected course of concentration is not necessary.

[edit] Departments of Study

Painting Critique, students critiquing work

The Etching Room, etching presses and workstations

Architecture, interior architecture and designed objects
Art education
Art therapy
Art history, theory, and criticism
Art and technology studies
Ceramics
Design for emerging technologies

Interactive Design
Computer Programming
Web Design

Fashion design
Fiber and material studies

Weaving
Print for materials
Dye

Film, video and new media
First year program (foundation dept. for undergraduates)

2D - any media limited to two dimensions.
3D - any media limited to three dimensions.
4D - any media that incorporates time.
Research Studio

Liberal arts

English
Humanities
Languages
Liberal Arts
Sciences
Social Sciences

Painting and drawing
Performance
Photography
Printmedia

Silkscreen
Offset printing
Etching
Lithography
Digital output
Book binding

Sculpture

Metal work
Foundry
Wood

Sound
Visual communication

Graphic Design
Information Design
Typographic Design
Package Design

Visual and critical studies
Writing

[edit] Undergraduate Degree Programs

B.A. in Visual and Critical Studies
B.F.A. in Studio Arts
B.F.A. with an emphasis in Writing
B.F.A. with an emphasis in art History, Theory, and Criticism
B.F.A. with an emphasis in Art Education
Bachelor of Interior Architecture

[edit] Graduate Degree Programs

M.F.A. in Studio Arts
M.F.A. in Writing
M.A. in Modern Art History, Theory, and Criticism.
M.A. in Art Education
M.A. in Teaching
M.A. in Art Therapy
M.A. in Arts Administration and Policy
M.A. in Visual and Critical Studies
M.S. in Historic Preservation
Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture with an emphasis in Interior Architecture
Master of Design in Designed Objects.

[edit] Other Degrees

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Arts
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Writing
Graduate Certificate in Art History, Theory, and Criticism

[edit] Campus Life

The main campus is set in downtown Chicago, also known as the loop. The school uses three main buildings which are the Michigan (112 S. Michigan), the Sharp (37 S. Wabash), and the Columbus (280 S. Columbus). The school also has additional buildings throughout Chicago that are used student galleries or investments.

[edit] Galleries

Betty Rymer Gallery - The Betty Rymer gallery is named in honor of Betty Rymer, the late wife of School Board of Governors member Barry Rymer. In 1989, Mr. Rymer made a major contribution to the School's Advancement Program and the gallery is a dedication to her memory and interests. It is located in the 280 S. Columbus building. It is run similarly to Gallery 2, but the process for exhibition is less intense with more student workers involved. Since it is on campus, it also receives more student traffic.
Gallery 2 - Gallery 2 is an offsite space offered through their 847 W. Jackson building. It is run by the school's non-teaching faculty and paid student workers. The gallery also hosts annually the Undergraduate and Graduate Thesis exhibitions also known respectively as the BFA and MFA shows. During the rest of the year, it is the most advanced undergraduate and graduate student program for showing work as the process for exhibition mimics professional galleries.
Student Union Galleries (LG Space, Gallery X) - The Student Union Galleries (SUGs) is the school's fully student-run gallery system. Paid student directors maintain the galleries with assistance from a faculty adviser. A volunteer student committee assists in maintenance and the selection of exhibitions. They have two locations: LG Spaceof the 37 S. Wabash building; and Gallery X of the 280 S. Columbus building. The two locations allow the galleries to cycle two shows simultaneously, with three shows per semester. They also maintain their own website.[1]

[edit] Student Organizations

[edit] ExTV

ExTV is a student-run volunteer television station. Its broadcasts are available via monitors located throughout the 112 S. Michigan building, the 37 S Wabash building and in cable-ready areas of the 162 N. State and 7 W. Madison residence halls. As a closed-circuit station, it is not available off-campus.

[edit] F Newsmagazine

FNews is a student-run newspaper with both paid and volunteer positions. They are a monthly publication with running 12,000 copies. Copies are distributed throughout the city mainly at locations that students frequent such as popular diners or movie theaters.

[edit] Free Radio SAIC

Free Radio SAIC is a student-run volunteer internet radio station.[2]

[edit] Student Government

The student government of SAIC is unique in that its constitution resembles a socialist republic, in which four officers hold equal power and responsibility. Elections are held every year. There are no campaign requirements. Any group of four students may run for office, but there must always be four students.

Each member of the student government is also paid an hourly wage of $10.00. This wage can be taken from a student's work-study financial aid, but since it is a unique position, students without work-study will also be paid. The change of pay rate can be done through student meetings.

The student government is responsible for hosting a school-wide student meeting once a month. At these meetings students discuss school concerns of any nature. The predominant topic is funding for the various student organizations. Organizations which desire funding must present a proposal at the meeting by which the students vote whether they should receive monies or not. The student government cannot participate in the vote: only oversee it.

The student government is also responsible for the distribution of the Peanut Butter & Jelly Fund, Welcome Back to School Party, Monthly Morning Coffees, Open Forums, Barbecues in the Pit (the outdoor area at the entrance of the 280 S Columbus Building), Holiday Art Sale, and a Materials Event. In the past Student Government has accomplished such things as campus-wide recycling, and access to the Chicago Transit Authority's U-Pass.

[edit] Student groups

Agape - Christian student group
AIGA Student Group - A chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
AIAS Student Group - A chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students.
Art History Visiting Lecturer Committee - a group that brings in 3rd party art history lecturers.
At Home World Wide Fashion Society - a group concentrating on global fashion trends.
Base Space Committee - This committee manages the Base Space Gallery, Sculpture Courtyard, and Display Case in the Sculpture Department of the Columbus Building.
Belly Dancing Group
Body Revolution - an exercise group with a focus on non-traditional practices
Escape Chicago - group focusing on excursions outside of Chicago
Eye & Ear Clinic - free, bi-weekly screening series run by (FVNM) Film Video News Media students.
Grounded - an environmental group
Hillel - a chapter of the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Incarnation - Christian student group
Jamboree Wednesday - improvised music group
Korean Graduate Student Community
Korean Students Association (KSA)
NAEA Student Group - a chapter of the National Art Education Association
Performance Art Society
Photographic Graduate Committee on Visiting Artists - a group that brings in 3rd party photographers.
Platypus - a reading group with a concentration in current events
SAIC/AVU Collaborative: Heart Club - group helps to facilitate funding and curriculum about study trips and new exchange students
Shifted Wires - a student group introducing new information and technologies
SMART Art/Gallery- residence hall group designed to provide residence hall students with art opportunities
SMART Community - resident hall group used to connect students with each other and with the greater Chicago community
SOAP - a philosophy discussion group
Students Against War and Injustice - originally No! Iraq, it is a student activist group with a focus on war issues
Students For Sexual Diversity - group promoting sexual diversity and tolerance
Students With Abundant Materials (SWAM) - a group concerned with sustainability and recycling materials
Taiwanese Student Association
The 13th Floor - an open student group focusing on visual communications
Veggies Unite! - vegetarian organization

[edit] Property

This is a list of property in order of acquisition:

280 South Columbus (Classrooms, Departmental Offices, Studios, Betty Rymer Gallery)
37 South Wabash (Classrooms, Main Administrative Offices, Flaxman Library)
112 South Michigan (Classrooms, Departmental Offices, Studios, Special Events Ballroom)
7 West Madison (Student Residences)
162 North State (Student Residences)
164 North State Street (Gene Siskel Film Center)

The School also owns these properties outside of the immediate vicinity of the Chicago Loop:

1926 North Halsted (Gallery Space) in Chicago. A property donated by artist Roger J. Brown.
The Oxbow Property (Retreat Facility) in Oxbow, Michigan

The School leases:

36 South Wabash Leasing the 12th floor. (Administrative Offices, Architecture and Interior Architecture Design Center)
847 West Jackson Leasing the 2nd and 3rd floors. (Gallery Space)

[edit] External links

[edit] References

^ America's Best Graduate Programs 2007. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved on February 3, 2007.
^ Dubin, Steven (1992). Arresting Images, Impolitic Art and Uncivil Actions. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-90893-0.
^ Dubin, Steven (1992). Arresting Images, Impolitic Art and Uncivil Actions. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-90893-0.
^ Dubin, Steven (1992). Arresting Images, Impolitic Art and Uncivil Actions. Routledge, 104. ISBN 0-415-90893-0.