James Rondeau is ready to expand the Art Institute’s footprint — and put that airplane incident behind him

James Rondeau is ready to expand the Art Institute’s footprint — and put that airplane incident behind him

Running an art museum may be one of the toughest jobs in the arts at the moment.There are cuts in federal support and philanthropic pullbacks to contend with. Sociopolitical jabs from the left and right. Even existential questions about the relevance and purpose of such institutions in the 21st century. Green Room Newsletter You’re subscribed!Please check your inbox for your confirmation. Stay ahead of what’s hitting Chicago stages, galleries, m…

Art Institute of Chicago Director Frankly Addresses Airplane Incident: A ‘Very Low Moment’

For the first time since his return to his job last May following a voluntary leave, James Rondeau, the director of the Art Institute of Chicago, spoke frankly about a bizarre incident on an airplane that gained attention far beyond the art world. During that incident, last April, Rondeau was on a plane from Chicago to Munich when he began taking his clothes off, according to the CBS News report. That report said that Rondeau had “drank alcoho…