$75 Million Gift to support Future growth on the Art Institute of Chicago Museum Campus

This generous gift—the single largest naming gift in the Art Institute’s history—will allow the museum to realize building plans to expand access to the museum’s singular collection, maximize the Art Institute’s iconic location, and deliver a world-class experience to Chicagoans and visitors from around the world.

This gift will help support new galleries to house the museum’s iconic collection of late 19th century, modern, and contemporary art in a space to be named The Aaron I. Fleischman and Lin Lougheed Building, which will be designed to offer spectacular views of the park, the city, and the lake.

“We are beyond grateful to collaborate with Aaron and Lin to imagine the future of our campus,” said James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago. “Their exceptional generosity and vision will allow our aspirations to become a reality and I am grateful for their dedication to Chicago, and to serving our visitors for generations to come.”

Fleischman and Lougheed both have midwestern roots—from Highland Park, IL and Ottumwa, IA respectively—but have always lived elsewhere as adults. They are now long-time permanent residents of Florida. 

Fleischman began collecting art in the mid-1980s. He has been a Trustee of the Art Institute for nearly 15 years and has generously loaned works to Art Institute exhibitions over the years. 

“The Art Institute of Chicago has one of the world’s great art collections,” said Fleischman. “Lin and I are excited about naming a new building that will create additional space for visitors to see more of the collection than they have ever been able to see before, and for the museum to tell a more complete story of modern and contemporary art. Touring the collections on view and in storage I came to believe that more of the museum‘s extraordinary collection needed to be available to visitors and presented in world-class architecture.”

“What really solidified our commitment was the vision of the Art Institute and its director James Rondeau. James’s passion and aspirations for the Art Institute are reflected in the museum’s exhibitions, acquisitions, plans for campus expansion, and the exciting new building. We are really pleased to be completely aligned with the Art Institute’s vision for the future,” Fleischman added.

This future vision is part of the ongoing exploration for a re-envisioned campus that began in 2019 with architecture firm Barozzi Veiga. 

“It’s exciting to be part of Barozzi Veiga’s long-term plan for the Art Institute,” said Lougheed. “The future building plans will add to Chicago’s reputation as the center of innovative architecture.”

Over the past several years, work with Barozzi Veiga has included enhancements to existing spaces, but also an exploration of how to maximize the museum’s entire campus. 

“One of my priorities has been to ensure that as our campus evolves, all Chicagoans feel welcome and invited into the Art Institute,” said Denise Gardner, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago. “This gift will allow us to continue building on our world-class visitor experience, providing more access, and showing more of our iconic collection than ever before.”