The Art Institute of Chicago fired all of its roughly 100 volunteer museum guides: too white

[Anti Federalist]

Bet every last one of them voted for Obama, Biden, Pritzger and BeetleJuice.

(sad trombone sound)

$#@! off white devils, you're not welcome here anymore.

I'm sure De'No'Tray and Ta'Queesha will feel much more welcome now, and instead of shooting each other in gang warfare ambushes, will instead stroll down to the Art Institute to gaze at Rubens and Picassos.



Chicago’s Art Institute Fires All of Its Docents: Too Many Wealthy White Ladies

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2...-white-ladies/

Joel B. Pollak 16 Oct 2021

The Art Institute of Chicago fired all of its roughly 100 volunteer museum guides, or docents, in September because too many of them were wealthy, white women.

The news of the mass firing has only trickled out slowly, partly because the institute asked docents not to speak to the media, and because the left-leaning Chicago media showed little interest in covering the issue.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday:

In museum-speak, a docent is a trained volunteer who greets visitors and guides them through the collection, filling in details of the artists’ lives, speaking to the visual elements of the work on display and adding art-history context. The Art Institute used to have more than 100 docents, 82 of them active, until Veronica Stein, an executive director of learning and engagement, sent a Sept. 3 email canning all of them. In gratitude for their long, unpaid service—averaging 15 years each—the Art Institute offered the involuntarily retired guides a two-year free pass to the museum.

The apparent problem was that the Art Institute docents were mostly older white women of above-average financial means and with plenty of time on their hands. The institute needs to go to a more professional model, Ms. Stein explained, “in a way that allows community members of all income levels to participate, responds to issues of class and income equity, and does not require financial flexibility.”

…

A blistering Sept. 27 editorial in the Chicago Tribune criticized the Art Institute’s actions as shameful and done in a “weaselly” way. It was one of the few mentions of the story in Chicago-area media. In reply, Robert Levy, chairman of the Art Institute, defended the decision of his “professional staff” to dismiss the amateur volunteers. Though the docents were given no warning before being fired, Mr. Levy insisted that the plan had been in the works for 12 years: “Critical self-reflection and participatory, recuperative action is required if we are to remain relevant to the changing audiences seeking connection to art.”

Ironically, the Journal was able to speak to one of the fired docents, who happened to be black, and defied the museum’s request that no one speak directly to the media — perhaps because she had less fear of being accused of racism.

The aforementioned Tribune editorial, available here, said:

Anyone with some tread on their tires who’s been fired by email can recognize the protocol. The writer blathers on about your years of dedication to your job, their gratitude for all you have done for all this time, and then hits you with some self-justifying jargon: the need to “update systems,” maybe, or the need to “rebuild” or “better serve” someone or some group. These days, perhaps even in the name of “equity” or “inclusion.”

By then you know what’s coming after all the disingenuous paragraphs: You’re canned, most likely in favor of a newer model.

…

Once you cut through the blather, the letter basically said the museum had looked critically at its corps of docents, a group dominated by mostly (but not entirely) white, retired women with some time to spare, and found them wanting as a demographic.

No matter that the docents had typically trained for years, if not decades, on how to describe the Art Institute’s collection, or worked hard on adjusting to the trendy new ways (”Art and Activism”) of describing the work to be found there, or put in hour after hour in academic study of their fields.

The Tribune noted that the apparent age and race discrimination involved in the firings might not be enough to provide grounds for a lawsuit, at least in the federal courts, because federal employment laws do not cover volunteers.

However, there are also applicable state laws, and the State of Illinois has its own human rights commission to hear such grievances.

The Art Institute of Chicago is free on Tuesdays, and is enjoyed by visitors of all races, including public school groups.

[Anti Federalist]

Museum appoints Veronica Stein as the new Woman's Board Executive Director, Learning and Public Engagement

https://artdaily.com/news/134062/Mus...lic-Engagement

CHICAGO, IL.- The Art Institute of Chicago announced today that Veronica Stein will be the museum’s new Woman’s Board Executive Director, Learning and Public Engagement. Stein joins the Art Institute from Chicago’s Snow City Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring and educating children and youth in hospitals through the arts, where she has served as program director since 2018.



In her role as Woman’s Board Executive Director, Learning and Public Engagement, Stein will explore what museum education can be, guiding a holistic vision for learning and creativity that fulfills the needs of diverse constituents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Stein’s strategic thinking, enthusiasm, and energy will shape our path forward, and her particular experience with organizational culture transformation, capacity building, and accessibility, as well as her impactful work with students and educators, will be assets to meeting the changing needs of the museum and our communities. Radiating out from the newly improved and accessible space of the Ryan Learning Center, Stein will lead the museum’s relationships with various constituencies, innovating how individuals and communities can make meaningful connections with our collection and exhibitions through a range of digital and in-person experiences. In addition, as a practicing darkroom photographer and textile artist, she will bring creative energy to the department and the museum.

“I am delighted that the Art Institute shares the priorities that have guided my work throughout my career: designing culturally responsive programming and anti-racist curricula, cultivating fully accessible spaces, and ensuring staff wellness and learning,” said Stein. “Setting the newly enhanced Ryan Learning Center in motion, and further strengthening partnerships with the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools, and BIPOC cultural institutions, will be central to my work.”

Stein's background and experience make her uniquely qualified for this role. At Snow City she provided strategic direction for programmatic design, implementation, optimization, and expansion, spearheading the development of virtual learning platforms while transforming programs toward antiracist, trauma-informed modules. She designed programs to reflect the needs of early childhood and neurodiverse learners, both in hospitals and virtually, and established initiatives that supported and cultivated staff wellness and professional development through innovative learning modules. During her time at Snow City, Stein strengthened the organization’s partnerships with the Chicago Public Schools, suburban school districts, and cultural institutions.

“As a dynamic emerging leader in the field of education, Veronica brings new energy, expertise, and vision to this critical role in our museum,” said Sarah Guernsey, Deputy Director and Senior Vice President for Curatorial Affairs. “I am eager to see the growth of the Learning and Public Engagement team under her leadership.”

Prior to her time with Snow City, Stein served as program manager for BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) and Youth Service Project. In addition to her role as a public speaker on arts education, creativity, and restorative justice, Stein has previously worked as a teaching artist at schools across Chicago. Stein received a BFA in photography, film, and electronic media from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MA in art education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Stein will assume her new role at the museum on April 19.

[Anti Federalist]

Stein's background and experience make her uniquely qualified for this role. At Snow City she provided strategic direction for programmatic design, implementation, optimization, and expansion, spearheading the development of virtual learning platforms while transforming programs toward antiracist, trauma-informed modules. She designed programs to reflect the needs of early childhood and neurodiverse learners, both in hospitals and virtually, and established initiatives that supported and cultivated staff wellness and professional development through innovative learning modules.

[Anti Globalist]

If they didn't fire them because they were too white, they would have fired them for refusing to get vaccinated.

[tod evans]

If they didn't fire them because they were too white, they would have fired them for refusing to get vaccinated.

They're dems, every one vaxed and masked.

[RJB]

They're dems, every one vaxed and masked.

You would think this firing would inspire them toward rebellion, but I bet it instead compels them to further obedience

[cjm]

If they didn't fire them because they were too white, they would have fired them for refusing to get vaccinated.

Almost. They can fire them for whiteness or terminate them for refusing the vax. You were close.

[Occam's Banana]

https://twitter.com/lporiginalg/stat...95014433210369

https://pjmedia.com/uncategorized/ke...teers-n1523179

[GlennwaldSnowdenAssanged]

I think many art museums have art on loan to display. Imagine if the people that control the art limits decide to send the art to sleepy towns instead of woke cities.