THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 2 2017–18 SEASON 3 LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

Dear friends,

This year marked the Renaissance Society’s On behalf of the entire Board, I’d also 103rd season. While the longevity of its like to offer a warm thank you to Anita activity is remarkable, what makes the Ren Blanchard who completed her tenure this a truly singular institution is the potent year. We are deeply appreciative of her blend of creative freedom and intellectual service. rigor it cultivates, and the dedicated The true engine of the Ren is the community such a platform attracts. incredible staff that work to support Nowhere is this more evident than in our everything from daily operations and 2017-18 program, which engaged a record programmatic planning to organizing number of visitors as it featured artists, tours and sharing information. At the scholars, and other contributors from as helm is Executive Director and Chief far away as Mumbai, Buenos Aires, and Curator Solveig Øvstebø, whose vision and Paris, and of course from right here in leadership inspire everyone she meets. Chicago too. Her staff is small and mighty and deserves What further distinguishes the much recognition: Jessica Cochran, Julia Ren is its ambitious commitment to com- DeRose, Max Guy, Michael Harrison, missioning new art. The 2017-18 season Colleen Kelly, Karsten Lund, Karen Reimer, featured more new production than ever Anna Searle Jones, and Pierre Sondeijker. before, and this is the direct result of the This group of talented individuals makes Next Century Fund, led by transformational the Ren an exceedingly special place. gifts from the Edlis Neeson Foundation, All that the Ren does is made the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, and the possible by its exceptional network of Zell Family Foundation. Their inspirational support, from individuals to foundations generosity has been joined by major gifts to educational and commercial entities. from many others. We are so grateful for the contributions In the spirit of taking risks and that are recognized in the following pages, exploring new ideas, in October we hosted and to all those who play an active part in our annual RenBen gala and art auction the Ren’s community. in Half Acre Brewing Company’s newly- opened Balmoral warehouse. With the faint smell of hops in the air, over 300 With gratitude, supporters of the Ren gathered to enjoy a Jorge Cauz night of great art, food, and conversation as we raised important funds for the Ren’s 2017-18 program. It was my honor to serve as one of the co-chairs with my husband, Ugo Alfano Casati, and our good friends Richard Wright and Valerie Carberry. My sincerest gratitude goes to the host committee, to all the attendees, and to the artists and galleries who donated work for the auction. The Board of Directors of the Renaissance Society is an esteemed group of individuals, and it is truly my pleasure to work with them. This year we were fortunate to add Jennifer Keller, and she Jochen Dehn performing Arches and Avalanches has already contributed tremendous value.

JENNIFER PACKER, TENDERHEADED 6 2017–18 SEASON 7 DIRECTOR'S REPORT

The Renaissance Society might be small group took part in a breakfast discussion in physical size, but this season showcases with artist Alejandro Cesarco, hosted a just what a significant impact we make— Student Night featuring member-led walk- on the artists with whom we work, on the throughs of Richard Rezac’s exhibition, and audiences who engage with our program, travelled to Milwaukee, where they met and on the field of contemporary art with Michelle Grabner and visited galleries around the world. and artist-run spaces. This can be seen in the powerful Other highlights this season include exhibition of new paintings by Jennifer presenting our publications at the New Packer, Tenderheaded, which marked York Art Book Fair, where we debuted her first solo museum show; it went on the catalogue for Between the Ticks of the to travel to the Rose Museum of Art at Watch. We were pleased to introduce Brandeis University, and we launched late gallery hours on Thursday evenings the publication at Printed Matter in New until 8pm, which aligns with a number of York during Frieze art fair. The other other campus institutions and offers more exhibitions this season have also featured flexibility for visitors. And, as you can see significant new production, in solo throughout the following pages, this is all presentations by Alejandro Cesarco and in addition to our rich and robust program Richard Rezac, as well as new works from of exhibitions, events, and publishing that Daniel G. Baird, Marissa Lee Benedict, form an unparalleled platform for critical Cécile B. Evans, and Xaviera Simmons for inquiry and dialogue. Unthought Environments. I would like to express my gratitude As a non-collecting institution, we to our brilliant and hard-working staff are often asked what happens to these team, to our unceasingly supportive Board projects that we commission. We were of Directors, and to all of those who have thrilled to announce in November that contributed to the success of this season, new work from three recent Renaissance whether financially, intellectually, or Society exhibitions had found homes in creatively. It is thanks to all of you that the collections of major international this institution maintains the strength and museums: Kevin Beasley’s installation ambition that are its hallmarks. and performance Your Face Is/Is Not When I came to the Ren in 2013, I Enough in Tate Modern; Sadie Benning’s felt that we were uniquely positioned to 40-panel work, Shared Eye, in the Museum support artists in pursuing projects that of Modern Art; and Mathias Poledna’s they couldn’t elsewhere. Our unwavering 2014 film,Substance , in the Art Institute faith in artists and their ideas, coupled with of Chicago. the incredible generosity of our supporters, The Ren’s community values our means that our work continues to play commitment to fostering ambitious artistic a vital and necessary role in the cultural experimentation, and the relaunch of our landscape of Chicago and beyond. membership program in February attracted new supporters from around the country. Enhanced benefits include monthly Solveig Øvstebø payment options, reciprocal admissions Executive Director and Chief Curator to peer institutions, and a whimsical tote designed by artist Peter Wächtler. Members of our Student Committee, too, serve an important role as ambassadors of the Ren, connecting us to the wider University of Chicago campus and gaining Solveig Øvstebø and Alejandro Cesarco during the latter's artist talk behind-the-scenes experience. This year the 8 SEP 9–NOV 5, 2017 NOV 18, 2017–JAN 28, 2018 9 JENNIFER PACKER ALEJANDRO CESARCO TENDERHEADED SONG

The work of representing SEP 9, 2017 Between [the two video works] NOV 18, 2017 black subjects in a media Opening reception and artist talk Everness and Revision, Opening reception and artist talk with Solveig Øvstebø landscape saturated with SEP 24, 2017 I explore the idea of tempo, images of black victims of Screening: Dear Watchers in the Shadows phrasing, duration—the NOV 29, 2017 featuring films by Tomashi Jackson, Sable Reading: Wayne Koestenbaum state-sponsored violence is Elyse Smith, Sondra Perry, Cauleen Smith, musicality of looking. What indeed risky. How does one Martine Syms, and Steffani Jemison we consider tragic has shifted DEC 6, 2017 Discussion: Lynne Tillman simultaneously confront these OCT 11, 2017 in the past ten years, as have and Alejandro Cesarco oppressive forces without Exhibition walk-through the power and usage of words with Solveig Øvstebø JAN 10, 2018 allowing the nefarious visual and facts. So, to go back Exhibition walk-through order of surveillance to dictate OCT 14, 2017 to the problems of reading Karsten Lund Reading: CM Burroughs

the ways in which those most and deciphering seemed JAN 20, 2018 Presented in partnership with the Screening: The Death of Louis XIV oppressed by it are seen? Program in Poetry & Poetics at the rather timely. by Albert Serra — Lauren DeLand, Art in America University of Chicago — Alejandro Cesarco, Artforum

Based in observation, improvisation, OCT 25, 2017 Including video, photographs, and a wall- and memory, Jennifer Packer’s canvases Discussion: Christina Sharpe based screenprint, Alejandro Cesarco’s are intimate and contemplative, rendered and Cauleen Smith poetic installation suggested themes of in loose strokes and strong color. The new duration, refusal, repetition, and affective and recent paintings in Tenderheaded, NOV 4, 2017 forms. At the heart of the exhibition were the New York-based artist’s first solo Artist talk: Prisms, Trunks, and Branches two related video works: the first chapter Martin Beck of the artist’s 2008 video, Everness, which institutional presentation, exhibited a features an actor reciting a monologue, rigorous engagement with art history as Presented in conjunction with the Chicago written by Cesarco, on the meaning of well as a highly personal response to how Architecture Biennial black bodies navigate within the present tragedy; and Revision, a new remake of this political landscape. chapter with the same actor, now almost a Packer’s practice is marked by decade later. its restraint, producing works that are This presentation, as in the artist’s complicated, sometimes elusive, but broader practice, represented a sustained always generous. Whether portraiture or investigation into time, memory, and floral still lives, her paintings open up on how meaning is perceived. Sometimes to experiences of care, intimacy, and loss. romantic, other times melancholic, his works evince a deep engagement with the Curated by Solveig Øvstebø histories and aesthetics of conceptual art.

Supported by the Joyce Foundation Curated by Solveig Øvstebø Supported by the Chicago Committee of the Renaissance Society 10 11

ALEJANDRO CESARCO, SONG 12 FEB 17–APR 8, 2018 APR 21–JUN 17, 2018 13 UNTHOUGHT ENVIRONMENTS RICHARD REZAC ADDRESS

[T]he elemental frame FEB 17, 2018 When you walk through APR 21, 2018 of reference might be Opening reception and lecture Richard Rezac’s new Opening reception and artist talk with John Durham Peters with Solveig Øvstebø all-encompassing, but to exhibition, Address, it rethink our world in terms MAR 11, 2018 seems to make perfect sense. APR 28, 2018 Exhibition walk-through Exhibition walk-through and of phenomena that [Lund] Karsten Lund and Daniel G. Baird In the white-walled, window- visit to The Arts Club of Chicago calls ‘elusive, easily forgotten, interrupted, vaulted-ceiling Richard Rezac MAR 11, 2018 or deliberately kept out of Workshop room that is the Renaissance MAY 4, 2018 sight,’ is to speak in the closest Led by Karsten Lund Society’s main gallery, 20 Student Night at the Ren thing we have to a universal MAR 24, 2018 meticulous objects… draw MAY 6, 2018 language. Exhibition walk-through you into their individual Performance: Beautiful Nebraska Anna Searle Jones Every house has a door — Perri Wilson, The Chicago Maroon orbits, their sound fields, MAR 28, 2018 MAY 13, 2018 Unthought Environments was informed with craftsmanship as Lecture: David Macauley Lecture and exhibition walk-through by evolving discussions in various exquisite as the composition Judith Russi Kirshner fields, including media studies, ecology, Co-sponsored by the Arts, Science and Culture Initiative at the University can be subtly playful. and philosophy. Exploring what our MAY 24, 2018 “unthought environments” might be of Chicago — Steve Johnson, The Chicago Tribune Discussion: Thinking Sculpture today, it considered how elemental Travis Jeppesen and Erin Shirreff surroundings become another kind of vital MAR 31, 2018 Address brought together twenty sculp- infrastructure, seemingly there to be used Lecture: Keller Easterling tures by the Chicago-based artist Richard JUN 2, 2018 and overlooked, but sometimes veering Rezac produced over the last two decades. Co-sponsored by the Arts, Science Exhibition walk-through into the foreground. These new and recent works demonstrate and Culture Initiative at the University Karen Reimer Against this backdrop, new and the artist’s ongoing engagement with the of Chicago recent artworks offer a set of explorations sculptural logic of geometry and the elu- with different focal points in the elemental APR 4, 2018 sive mechanisms of interpretation. sphere as it intersects with our more Avoiding symbolism or illustration, Exhibition walk-through human-made domains. The artists’ videos, while at the same time not concrete Karsten Lund sculptures, photographs, installations, or closed, Rezac’s sculptures enacted and digital images delve into the state of a formal investigation through their water in multiple countries; the mining determined construction and precise operations that feed our computers; the positioning in space. Their scale was effects of the sun; electromagnetic fields modest in relation to the Renaissance made visible; dust storms; and other Society’s lofty gallery and closer to that phenomena brought to life. of the bodies of audience members who encounter them. As such, the works Curated by Karsten Lund exude a certain familiarity, an invitation to explore the multiple layers and possible Supported by VIA Art Fun, the Goethe- readings of each piece. Institut, and Pro Helvetia Curated by Solveig Øvstebø Sponsored by the Henry Moore Foundation and the Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts

UNTHOUGHT ENVIRONMENTS 16 INTERMISSIONS CONCERTS 17

After its January 2017 launch, our perfor- The Ren continues to present experimen- mance series Intermissions continued this tal approaches to sound and musical per- season with the presentation of two works formance, bringing diverse practitioners in the empty gallery between exhibitions. to Hyde Park for a series of dynamic free concerts. AUG 26, 2017 Intermissions: Jochen Dehn SEP 30, 2017 This marked the first performance Concert: Lea Bertucci in the United States by the German artist A compelling voice in new music and Jochen Dehn. inspired by the scientific and sound installation, this New York-based philosophical discovery of “nothing,” his musician brought her experimental work Arches and Avalanches unfolded as a approach to Bond Chapel, layering lengthy series of narrative demonstrations saxophone and looped tape collage. using all sorts of objects and ad hoc sculptures. JAN 13, 2018 Concert: Joshua Abrams & Supported by the Efroymson Family Fund, Natural Information Society with additional support from the Cultural This Chicago-based band uses traditional Service at the Consulate General of France and electric instrumentation to develop in Chicago and the France Chicago Center pulsing aural environments with a psychedelic feeling. In Bond Chapel, FEB 3–4, 2018 they presented a new piece, featuring an Intermissions: Gordon Hall expanded line-up of musicians. Gordon Hall’s Brothers and Sisters was both an exhibition and a performance. APR 7, 2018 Over two days, the artist presented a set of Concert: Jana Winderen precisely designed objects of ambiguous Live performances and immersive sound purpose. Suggesting possible uses by installations by this Oslo-based artist focus imagined bodies, this family of sculptures on audio environments and ecosystems was put to use for the audience on two that are difficult for humans to reach. evenings at dusk. Here, Winderen presented Spring Bloom Supported by the Efroymson Family Fund in the Marginal Ice Zone, a new, live eight-channel mix of underwater sounds.

Presented by the Renaissance Society and Lampo, in partnership with STAGE (Scientists, Technologists and Artists Generating Exploration) at the University of Chicago. Supported by the Office for Contemporary Art Norway.

MAY 4, 2018 Concert: Cameron Shafii Shafii, a San Francisco-based Iranian composer, creates electroacoustic music using a range of digital processes and generative systems, and here he premiered variations on three works from his new album Corpora Vilia.

Jana Winderen performs Spring Bloom in the Marginal Ice Zone 18 PUBLICATIONS SELECTED PRESS 19

Between the Ticks of the Watch Antennae, The Journal of Nature in Visual Frieze: Jennifer Piejko, Jennifer Packer, Featuring work by artists Kevin Beasley, Culture: Giovanni Aloi, Unthought Tenderheaded, review, November- Peter Downsbrough, Goutam Ghosh, Falke Environments: Interview with Karsten December 2017. Pisano, and Martha Wilson, this 2016 Lund, Issue 44, Summer 2018 group exhibition presented a platform for Frieze Masters: Jennifer Packer, Artists’ considering doubt as both state of mind and Art in America: Lauren DeLand, Artists, volume 6 (Fall 2017). pragmatic tool. The illustrated catalogue Tenderheaded, review, November 2017. features newly commissioned scholarly Hyperallergic: Valentina DiLiscia, essays, plus a cover by Downsbrough, Artcritical: Lee Ann Norman, “Not Figures, The Emotions of Interpretation, Alejandro transcript of Pisano's video work, and a text Not Bodies, But Humans”: Jennifer Packer Cesarco review, December 3, 2017. by Beasley. in conversation with Lee Ann Norman,

September 20, 2017. Inside\Within: Richard Rezac: Expansion Contributors: Kevin Beasley, Peter Without Chaos, interview, February 2018. Downsbrough, Ranjit Hoskote, Falke Artforum: Alejandro Cesarco, 500 Words, Pisano, Heidi Salaverría, Richard Shiff, interview, November 28, 2017. Newcity: Jameson Paige, Between Being and and Solveig Øvstebø Becoming: A Review of Gordon Hall at the Softcover, 220pp. Artforum: Beau Rutland, Jennifer Packer, Renaissance Society, February 12, 2018. Designed by David Khan-Giordano review, May 2018. Newcity: Luke A. Fidler, Richard Rezac, Jennifer Packer: Tenderheaded Artforum: Laura McLean-Ferris, Openings: Address, review, June 5, 2018. Packer’s 2017 exhibition, Tenderheaded, Irena Haiduk, February 2018. established her as one of the most Observer: Margaret Carrigan, Jennifer compelling painters working today. Art Artforum: Dan Nadel, How Would a Comb Packer on Painting the Vulnerability of the historian Jessica Bell Brown describes that Cannot Untangle Hair Look? The Art Black Female Body, September 14, 2017. Packer’s scenes as “emphatically mundane of Christina Ramberg, February 2018. and radically tender,” embodying questions The Seen: Stephanie Cristello, Musical of representation, visibility, and desire. This Artforum: Abigail Winogrand, Critics’ Picks: Grammar, Alejandro Cesarco interview, publication marked the first monograph Unthought Environments, March 19, 2018. April 2018. dedicated to the artist’s work.

Contributors: Jessica Bell Brown, April Artforum: Gordon Hall, 500 Words, UChicago News: Andrew Bauld, Freely, Kerry James Marshall, Safiya interview, May 11, 2018. Renaissance Society builds upon history Sinclair, and Solveig Øvstebø of artistic expression, experimentation, Hardcover, 100pp. Chicago Gallery News: An Interview with March 26, 2018. Designed by Hyo Kwon a Curator: Solveig Øvstebø, May 15, 2018.

Robert Grosvenor Chicago Tribune: Steve Johnson, Curator In 2017, the Renaissance Society presented Meets Artist: Picking pieces for Richard an exhibition of a major, seldom-seen work Rezac’s solo show, April 26, 2018. from 1989 to 1990. Grosvenor has made significant contributions as a sculptor over Contemporary Art Daily: Tenderheaded the past fifty years, but relatively few books documentation, October 24, 2017. have been published about his work. This monograph documents the Renaissance Crain’s Chicago Business: Lisa Bertagnoli, Society show and also features new Here’s why local art collectors are in scholarship considering Grosvenor’s work Germany this Summer, June 22, 2017. with a broad scope.

Crain’s Chicago Business: Lisa Bertagnoli, Contributors: Yve-Alain Bois, Bruce Hainley, University-based museums are raking it in, Susan Howe, John Yau, and Solveig Øvstebø March 12, 2018. Harcover, 160pp.

Designed by David Khan-Giordano 20 LENDERS TO EXHIBITIONS 21

Alejandro Cesarco, Song Unthought Environments Alejandro Cesarco Eduardo Aragón Tanya Leighton, Berlin Daniel G. Baird Marissa Lee Benedict Jennifer Packer, Tenderheaded Ursula Biemann Corvi-Mora, London Nina Canell Igor DaCosta Revital Cohen and Tuur Van Balen Alexander DiPersia David Castillo Gallery, Miami David Egeland ESSEX STREET, New York Jeff and Leslie Fischer Cécile B. Evans Dr. James Patterson, Memphis, TN Peter Fend Sikkema Jenkins & Co. Galerie Barbara Wien, Berlin Joel Wachs Galerie Gregor Staiger, Zurich David W. Williams and Eric Ceputis Florian Germann Koenig & Clinton, Brooklyn Richard Rezac, Address Labor, Mexico City Adam and Mariana Clayton Jochen Lempert Dudley and Michael Del Balso Nicholas Mangan Espen Galtung Døsvig, Bergen Daniel Marzona, Berlin Jay Franke and David Herro mor charpentier, Paris Galerie Isabella Bortolozzi PATRON, Chicago James Harris Gallery ProjecteSD, Bacelona Judith and Julius Kirshner Miljohn Ruperto Richard Rezac Xaviera Simmons Rhona Hoffman Gallery Robin Watkins Yale University Art Gallery

Richard Rezac leads a walk-through of Address 22 23

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Director and Chief Curator President: Jorge Cauz Solveig Øvstebø Vice President: Martin Friedman Secretary: Canice Prendergast Director of Finance and Operations Treasurer: Randall S. Kroszner Jessica Cochran Development Associate Raven Thomas Abdul-Aleem Julia DeRose Heiji Choy Black Anita Blanchard Program and Research Assistants Mary Frances Budig Max Guy Vanessa Copans Michael Harrison Marilyn Fields Director of Development Nancy Lerner Frej Colleen Kelly Laura D. Front Mirja Haffner Assistant Curator Glenn Holland Karsten Lund Jill Ingrassia-Zingales Director of Publications and Registrar Jennifer Keller Karen Reimer Ivan Moskowitz Solveig Øvstebø, Ex Officio Director of Communications Neil Ross Anna Searle Jones Glen Saltzberg Chief Preparator Margaret Stone Pierre Sondeijker Anne Van Wart David W. Williams WORK/STUDY ASSISTANTS Richard Wright AND INTERNS Sean Allen STUDENT COMMITTEE Amber Collins-Parnell Mary Grace Bilby Silvia Diaz Sofia Butnaru Kirsten Ihns Lexi Drexelius Christopher Good Alexander Cameron Feinstein Andrew Koski Kaesha Freyaldenhoven Andrew Pettinelli Hugh Graham Hannah Skaran Jeffrey Hsu Eli Winter Finn Jubak Isabella Zanobini Sophie Lynch May Makki PREPARATORS Sara Matthews Jason Abrams Roko Rumora Bradley Bergquist Ali Turner Nathan Braunfeld Zsofi Valyi-Nagy Stephen DeSantis Anna Liza Evangelista Megan Finch Breanne Johnson Jana Kinsman Jurrell Lewis Adrian Lo Staff retreat 2017 Marie Wise 24 25

RICHARD REZAC, ADDRESS 26 MEMBERS 27

PATRONS CURATOR’S CIRCLE FRIEND MEMBERS Chair: Marilyn Fields Sarah de Blasio Doris and Harvey Adelstein Kelly Kristin Jones David Egeland and Andy Friedman Mr. and Mrs. Sixto Aquino Olive Kelly Michael Alper and Helyn Goldenberg John Ellis David M. Bevington Arnold Joseph Kemp Barbara Bluhm-Kaul Foundation Tonya and Matt Geesman Daniel Brauner Daniel Licht Emily and Mike Cavanagh Melissa Gilliam and William Grobman Tyler Conlan Lisa Meyerowitz and Daniel Greene Helen and Joe Cesarik Gary Heiferman and Paul Buenvenida Lindsey Dorr-Niro Letitia Noel Jay Dandy and Melissa Weber Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Susan and Paul Freehling Elizabeth Nolan Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson Jennifer Levine and Jeffrey Aeder Michael Geyer Jennifer Omoregie Elissa Hamid Efroymson and Anne Rorimer Ed Gilbert Ryan Pfeiffer Adnaan Hamid Hunt Tackbary Grounds of Being, The Divinity School Gwendolyn Rugg Carol Ehlers Tricia Van Eck Coffee Shop William Underwood Jay Franke and David Herro John Vinci Patrick Halpin Loraine T. Washington Sarah Garvey Caitlin Haskell Mary Wells Paul and Dedrea Gray PUBLISHING CIRCLE Andres Hernandez Lindsey White Jack and Sandra Guthman Kere Frey Ed and Betty Harris Richard Rezac and Julia Fish Ambassador Bruce Heyman and Goran and Marianne Strokirk Mrs. Vicki Heyman Hunt Tackbary Deone Jackman Susanne Vielmetter Dr. Michael I. Jacobs Anne L. Kaplan SUSTAINING MEMBERS Belinda Buck Kielland Larry Berlin Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Iris Bernblum Stein Olaf Onarheim John and Judy Bross Jane Gulaksen Perfetti Suzette Bross Lauren Peterson Alan R. Cravitz and Shashi Caudill Jeanne Rogers and Perry Sainati Lisa Darling Todd and Betiana Simon William S. Donnell Donna A. Stone Robert Fields Bryan Traubert and Penny Pritzker Richard J. Gerrig Jack and Susy Wadsworth Alec Hathaway Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg John C. Jones Helen and Sam Zell Margery Kaye and William R. Padnos Michele Maccarone Dorothy and Peter Marks Kathleen Milliman Nan Nolan Judy Nyquist Misael Oquendo Penelope Rothfield Barbara Searle Beverly Serrell Scott Speh and Deb Sokolow Patricia Sternberg Elizabeth and James Summers Maryam Taghavi Julie and Dan Wheeler

RenBen 2017 28 ANNUAL SUPPORT 29 2017–18 GIFTS

$25,000 and above $1,000 – $2,499

The Andy Warhol Foundation Jill and Jay Bernstein for the Visual Arts Susan Bowey The MacArthur Fund for Arts JoAnn Busuttil and Culture at Prince Consulate General of France The Provost’s Discretionary Fund Cultural Service at the Consulate General at the University of Chicago of France in Chicago France Chicago Center $10,000 – $24,999 Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Bernard Lumpkin The Graham Foundation for Penelope and Robert Steiner Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts The Hartfield Foundation up to $999 The Henry Moore Foundation The Joyce Foundation Elise Bergman VIA Art Fund Richard A. Born Francis H. Williams Joyce Chelberg Gabriella DeVille $5,000 – $9,999 Nancie and Bruce Dunn Melissa Farruggia John R. Halligan Charitable Fund Louise and Jeff Feldkamp Illinois Arts Council Agency Aron Gent Pro Helvetia Mary Halpin Spinelli Kilcollin Katie Kendall Donna A. Stone Prada Lance Saunders $2,500 – $4,999 Joseph Turek Julie and Dan Wheeler Arts, Science & Culture Initiative Angela Zhang of the Office of the Provost at the University of Chicago Christie's Carlos Garcia and James Harris The Goethe-Institut Michael Asher Foundation Moncler Office for Contemporary Art Norway Phillips Hunt Tackbary

Performance view of Every house has a door's Beautiful Nebraska 30 NEXT CENTURY FUND 31

The Renaissance Society is grateful for everyone who has made a gift to the Next Century Up to $1,000 Fund for the creation of new work, launched in 2015 to mark our Centennial year. This campaign aims to secure the driving institutional commitment to giving artists the space, Anonymous Margaret McCurry time, and resources to realize ambitious new projects. All funds make possible the artistic Sara Albrecht Kathleen McKenna experimentation and new production that artists might not otherwise have the oppor- Randy Alexander Dr. Renee M. Menegaz-Bock Ph.D tunity to undertake. Led by extraordinary gifts from the Edlis Neeson Foundation, the Lia Alexopoulos Nancy and Robert Mollers Pritzker Traubert Foundation, and the Zell Family Foundation, the Ren is indebted to the Mr. & Mrs. Sixto Aquino Sundeep Mullangi and Trissa Babrowski many friends and supporters who have contributed to the campaign. Alice Brunner New City Leslie Buchbinder Judith Raphael They are: Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson Anne Rorimer Adele Chatfield-Taylor The Ruttenberg Foundation $500,000 and above $10,000 and above Joyce Chelberg John Sparagana Barbara Flynn Currie Ursula Storb Edlis Neeson Foundation Mary Jo Basler Melissa Farruggia Jacqueline Terrassa Pritzker Traubert Foundation Harry Blain Kere Frey Erick Thomas Zell Family Foundation Espen Galtung Døsvig Gene and Michele Gragg Loraine T. Washington Martin and Peggy Friedman Richard Graham and Joanne Vena Melissa Weber and Jay Dandy $100,000 and above Randall S. Kroszner and David Nelson Brian Hieggelke Samuel and Judith Weiss David Lassiter and Todd Harding Judith and Julius Kirshner Western Exhibitions Jorge Aguilar Cauz and Ugo Alfano Casati Joe and Rika Mansueto Emmy Kondo and Daniel Rosenthal Julie and Dan Wheeler Marilyn and Larry Fields Maxine and Larry Snider Lisa and Michael Kornick Willard White Chauncey & Marion D. McCormick Margaret Stone Fred Levinger Family Foundation / Conor O'Neil David W. Williams and Eric Ceputis Neil Ross and Lynn Hauser Richard Wright and Valerie Carberry $1,000 and above

$50,000 and above Charles Benton Cheryl Lynn Bruce and Heiji Choy Black and Brian Black Kerry James Marshall Mary Frances Budig and John Hass Shawn M. Donnelley and Efroymson Family Foundation Christopher M. Kelly Laura D. and Marshall B. Front Mr. & Mrs. James J. Glasser Jack and Sandra Guthman Ann Goldstein and Christopher Williams Mirja and Ted Haffner Dakis and Lietta Joannou Charles and Kathleen Harper Jennifer Levine and Jeffrey Aeder Anne Van Wart and Michael Keable Drs. Cole and Margaret Lundquist Kate Neisser $25,000 and above The Rhoades Foundation The Shapiro Grynsztejn Family Fund Vanessa and Rich Copans of the Jewish Community Foundation Glenn and Michelle Holland Todd and Betiana Simon Penelope and Robert Steiner Goran and Marianne Strokirk

Marissa Lee Benedict, Points from Five Shade Clouds (Ivanhoe, Elysian, Upper Stone Canyon, LA Reservoir, Las Virgenes), in Unthought Environments, 2018. 32 REN BEN 2017 33

Benefit Chairs $1,000 and above Simryn Gill C L E A R I N G, Belgium Lothar Götz Carrie Secrist, Chicago Jorge Aguilar Cauz and Ugo Alfano Casati Dennis and Joyce Black Rodney Graham Catriona Jeffries, Vancouver Richard Wright and Valerie Carberry Cathy and Michael Busch Wyatt Grant Clages, Cologne Øystein Daljord Antonia Gurkovska Dan Devening Projects, Chicago Host Committee Dirk Denison and David Salkin Irena Haiduk David Lewis, New York Anne Dias Matthew Angelo Harrison Derek Eller, New York $25,000 and above Martin and Peggy Friedman Eloise Hawser DOCUMENT, Chicago Richard and Mary Gray Jay Heikes DOMOBAAL, London Marilyn and Larry Fields Gary Heiferman and Paul Buenvenida Georg Herold Federica Schiavo, Milan Günter and Michelle Hitsch Luchita Hurtado Galerie Christine Mayer, Munich $10,000 and above Mikelle and Matthew Kruger JPW3 ( J. Patrick Walsh) Green on Red Gallery, Dublin Canice Prendergast and Mairead Reidy Janice Kerbel Grice Bench, Los Angeles Jay Franke and David Herro Richard Rezac and Julia Fish Zak Kitnick Grimm Gallery, Amsterdam Doug and Brandi Sandner Moshekwa Langa Halsey McKay, New York $5,000 and above Hunt Tackbary and Mackenzie Madsen Mark Licari Jessica Silverman Gallery, San Francisco Elissa Tenny Life After Life Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York Raven Thomas Abdul-Aleem and Clay Mahn Kavi Gupta Gallery, Chicago Zaid Abdul-Aleem $500 and above Charles Mayton Michael Alper and Helyn Goldenberg Niamh McCann In-kind donations Heiji Choy Black and Brian Black Nicole Berry Dominic McGill Anita Blanchard and Martin Nesbitt Joyce Chelberg Kristen Morgin The Art Fair Company Mary Frances Budig and John Hass Lily Dawson Juan Muñoz Charles Equipment Energy Services Jorge Aguilar Cauz and Ugo Alfano Casati Sarah de Blasio Ciarán Murphy EXPO Chicago Vanessa and Rich Copans Rhona Hoffman Zoe Nelson Frost Chicago Edlis Neeson Foundation Deone Jackman Huong Ngo H2Vino Nancy Lerner Frej and David Frej Jennifer Levine Albert Oehlen Half Acre Brewing Company Front Barnett Associates LLC / Jessica Moss Peter Piller Icon Group Laura D. and Marshall B. Front Ralph Segreti Anne Pöhlmann Seaberg Picture Framing Mirja and Ted Haffner Puppies Puppies Sotheby’s Ed and Betty Harris Participating artists Jagdeep Raina Jill Ingrassia-Zingales and Luigi Zingales Sara Greenberger Rafferty Jennifer and Ashley Keller Caroline Achaintre Dan Rees Randall S. Kroszner and David Nelson Salvatore Arancio Ryan Richey Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Leslie Baum Adrian Sauer Ivan Moskowitz and Jolie Nahigian Sadie Benning Emanuel Seitz Sylvia Neil and Daniel R. Fischel Annie Bielski Peter Shear Neil Ross and Lynn Hauser Colby Bird David Benjamin Sherry Glen Saltzberg and Jordana Joseph Martin Soto Climent Amie Siegel Sotheby’s Alex Bradley Cohen Gabriel Sierra Donna A. Stone Gerald Davis Roger White Margaret Stone Allan deSouza Adam Winner UChicago Arts and the Smart Museum Chris Dorland CD Wu of Art Assaf Evron Anne Van Wart and Michael Keable Ryan Fenchel Donating galleries David W. Williams and Eric Ceputis Elizabeth Ferry Richard Wright and Valerie Carberry Justin Fitzpatrick 303 Gallery, New York and Christina Forrer Hauser & Wirth, Zürich Dianna Frid Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York Michael Genovese Arcade Gallery, London 34 35

THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES AND CHANGES IN NET ASSETS YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017 YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AND 2017

ASSETS 2018 2017 2018 2017

TEMPORARILY TEMPORARILY Current assets UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL UNRESTRICTED RESTRICTED TOTAL Cash $ 340,501 $ 244,845 Accounts receivable 23,376 110,645 Revenues Contributions and grants receivable – current portion 408,650 468,523 Grants $ 122,453 $ 30,000 $ 152,453 $ 75,471 $ 130,000 $ 205,471 Inventory 44,691 51,477 Contributions 298,940 137,500 436,440 222,994 13,000 235,994 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 28,629 15,660 In-kind contributions 308,357 – 308,357 350,548 – 350,548 Benefit revenues, net of Total current assets 845,847 871,150 expenses of $135,972 in 2018 and $144,133 in 2017, respectively 332,294 – 332,294 282,524 – 282,524 Art sales 30,000 – 30,000 320,548 – 320,548 Editions 109,950 – 109,950 140,257 – 140,257 Property and equipment, net 6,956 18,702 Education 34,000 – 34,000 34,385 – 34,385 Exhibit touring fees 22,587 – 22,587 5,000 – 5,000 Publications 28,534 – 28,534 19,717 – 19,717 Other assets Interest and dividend Investments, at fair value 6,319,929 5,983,933 income 108,747 – 108,747 367,018 – 367,018 Contributions and grants receivable, net Miscellaneous 3,287 – 3,287 – – – –noncurrent portion 327,185 497,339 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 397,273 – 397,273 314,490 – 314,490 6,647,114 6,481,272 on investments Net assets released from 476,150 (476,150) – 696,297 (696,297) – restriction Total revenues 2,272,572 (308,650) 1,963,922 2,829,249 (553,297) 2,275,952 Total assets 7,499,917 7,371,124

Expenses LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Program services 1,326,319 – 1,326,319 1,309,450 – 1,309,450 Current liabilities Management and general 262,270 – 262,270 262,082 – 262,082 Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 67,234 $ 78,569 Fundraising 270,405 – 270,405 237,168 – 237,168 Deferred revenue 40,500 5,300 Total expenses 1,858,994 – 1,858,994 1,808,700 – 1,808,700 107,734 83,869 Total current liabilities Change in net assets 413,578 (308,650) 104,928 1,020,549 (553,297) 467,252

Net assets Net assets, beginning of year 6,345,105 942,150 7,287,255 5,324,556 1,495,447 6,820,003 Unrestricted 6,758,683 6,345,105 Temporarily unrestricted 633,500 942,150 Net assets, end of year $6,758,683 $ 633,500 $7,392,183 $6,345,105 $ 942,150 $7,287,255

Total net assets 7,392,183 7,287,255

Total liabilities and net assets $ 7,499,917 $ 7,371,124

I support the Ren because it has the best things I like about museum exhibitions: It's not too big. The shows are provocative. The artists are edgy. And the website helps me get prepared for my visit. — Beverly Serrell, Sustaining Member

In the planning, presentation and the public response of my exhibition at the Renaissance Society this past spring, the experience was certainly the most thorough and fulfilling that I have had in my four decades practicing art. This institution, staffed by committed and concerned professionals, afforded me this opportunity with complete trust and cooperation. With this ethic, the Ren honors and rewards artists’ and performers’ contributions for Chicago, and beyond. — Richard Rezac, artist and Publishing Circle Member

Cover: Gordon Hall performing Brothers and Sisters THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18

THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY at the University of Chicago 5811 South Ellis Avenue  773 702 8670 Cobb Hall, 4th Floor [email protected] Chicago, Illinois 60637 renaissancesociety.org