James Rondeau, the esteemed president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, has decided to take a voluntary leave from his position following an incident that took place on a flight to Germany last month. The event, which occurred on April 18, was initially reported by CBS News, and it involved police intervention upon the landing of United Airlines flight 953 in Munich after it departed from Chicago.
According to reports, the incident escalated when Rondeau allegedly stripped off his clothes after consuming alcohol and taking prescription medication during the flight. A spokeswoman for the Art Institute confirmed the accuracy of the report on Saturday, stating that Rondeau had indeed taken a leave of absence from his responsibilities at the museum.
In response to the incident, the Art Institute of Chicago has announced that it is taking the matter very seriously. The museum has initiated an independent investigation to collect all available information regarding the situation. The museum's commitment to exploring this incident highlights its dedication to maintaining a professional environment and ensuring the integrity of its leadership.
As of now, Rondeau has not responded to requests for comment regarding the circumstances surrounding his leave.
Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago stands as one of the leading museums in the United States, boasting an impressive operating budget of $120 million and a dedicated full-time staff of about 600 individuals. The museum attracts visitors from across the globe, eager to view its renowned masterpieces, which include iconic works such as George Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” Paul Cézanne’s “The Bathers,” and “The Bedroom” by Vincent van Gogh.
In a notable development last fall, the museum announced a generous $75 million gift from trustee Aaron I. Fleischman and his wife, Lin Lougheed, aimed at supporting the development of new galleries dedicated to late-19th-century, modern, and contemporary art.
James Rondeau, whose total compensation exceeds $1 million according to the latest tax records, was appointed as the president and director of the Art Institute in 2016 after previously serving as the institution’s chairman and curator of modern and contemporary art. Throughout his tenure, Rondeau has been a passionate advocate for integrating works by women and artists of color into the museum’s collection. “This variety and balance is core to our mission,” Rondeau expressed in a 2022 interview with The Times. “We are able to leverage more established names while introducing new work and providing a more expansive view about contemporary art.”
As the situation unfolds, the Art Institute and its stakeholders will be closely monitoring the outcomes of the investigation and the future of Rondeau's leadership.
