SAIC received a $2 million gift from Paula and James Crown, Nancy and A. Steven Crown, and the Crown Family Philanthropies. The gift will endow a full professorship to be known as the Crown Family Professor in Painting and Drawing. SAIC faculty member and renowned artist Michelle Grabner has been appointed as the inaugural Crown Family Professor. The Crowns are recognized throughout Chicago for their support of the arts and culture, civic affairs, education, the environment, and health and human services. Paula Crown (MFA 2012) graduated from SAIC’s Department of Painting and Drawing with a Master of Fine Arts in 2012, and Steve Crown is a member of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Board of Trustees and SAIC’s Board of Governors.