The SAIC 150th Anniversary Gala
On Friday, May 6, 2016 the Art Institute of Chicago was alive with the warmth and laughter of old friends and new at the SAIC 150th Anniversary Gala. The culmination of a yearlong celebration of SAIC’s sesquicentennial, the gala brought together guests, alumni, faculty, and staff to enjoy student and alumni activations, to celebrate the enduring legacy of SAIC, President Walter E. Massey, and Shirley Massey, and to toast to the future with President-Designate, Elissa Tenny.
The evening included a cocktail reception, SAIC student performances and artwork throughout the museum, light installations by alumni duo, Luftwerk, and a seated dinner and program set in the Modern Wing and emceed by Bill Kurtis. The special event finished with a flourish at the Terzo Piano After Party, featuring celebratory after-dinner cocktails by Art Institute Mixologist-in-Residence, Adam Seger, music by DJ Emilio Abadia, and a memorable acoustic performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and SAIC parent, Liz Phair.
Thanks to the generosity of more than 400 attendees, the SAIC 150th Anniversary Gala raised more than $1.2 million for the Walter and Shirley Massey Chicago Scholarship Fund, which provides critically important need-based scholarships to students from Chicago Public Schools who have demonstrated excellence in the arts. These contributions support Beautiful/Work: The Campaign for SAIC.
See who joined us for the celebration and view more photos from the SAIC 150th Anniversary Gala and the 150th Anniversary After Party.