Arts & Business Council

Annual Gala

25th Anniversary Gala Celebration

 ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL
25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago’s 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration: 25@25 was a great success! This year it is estimated that we will raise close to $200,000 in support of our mission to link the strengths of the cultural and business sectors to promote community growth and vitality through the arts.

Almost 300 guests joined us on October 22nd at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Sidney R. Yates Gallery for heartfelt tributes, entertainment, dining, auctions and a “sweet chances” raffle, making for an exciting and memorable evening. Thank you to our guests and to our generous supporters and sponsors for contributing to an amazing celebration.

This year’s theme, 25@25, honored the A&BC’s 25th anniversary by celebrating 25 of Chicago’s cultural leaders, from pioneering corporate philanthropist to mainstay performing arts companies, who have made a significant and lasting impact on Chicago’s arts community. We were delighted to recognize these 25 people and institutions for their incredible efforts.

Our 25th Anniversary Gala also featured a jubilant performance by Merit School of Music Honors Jazz Ensemble. These young musicians, ranging in ages from 14 to 18, captivated guests with their unique and creative styling of pieces by modern jazz composers.

Special thank you to our Sponsors, the Gala Committee, the Honorary Committee, and the A&BC board, staff, and volunteers for making this event a success.

A special “thank you” to photographer Tom Snow for capturing the night’s festivities.

Presenters
Robert Alpaugh
Tanya Saracho
Amina Dickerson
Rachel Kraft

Honorees
Art Institute of Chicago and School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Black Ensemble Theater
The Boeing Company
John Bryan
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Sinfonietta
City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
Columbia College Chicago
Pamela Crutchfield
Richard Driehaus
Joan Gunzberg
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Hyde Park Art Center
Joyce Foundation
Donna LaPietra
MacArthur Foundation
Merit School of Music
Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago
National Museum of Mexican Art
Roche Schulfer
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Teatro Vista
Alene Valkanas
Hedy Weiss

Presenting Sponsors
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Crain’s Chicago Business

Premier Sponsors
Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust
The Segal Company

Principle Sponsors
Accenture
The Boeing Company
Chicago Sun-Times
Pamela Crutchfield
East Bank Record Storage
Goodman Theatre & Roche Schulfer
IBM
Mesirow Financial

Gala Sponsors
Paul Boulis
Cancer Treatment Centers of America
Columbia College Chicago
Andrea Hargrave
Harris Bank
Joyce Foundation
National Student Leadership Conference
Quarles & Brady LLP
Rosenthal Collins Group, LLC

Impresario Sponsors
Terry Yale Feiertag
James Florczak
Justin Funk
Guy and Joan Gunzberg
Michael and Stella Hatcliffe
Jeffrey Jordt and Christine Tierney
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Sahara Enterprises, Inc.
Roche Schulfer and Mary Beth Fisher
United Healthcare
VSP Vision Care

Official and Exclusive Chocolate Sponsor
Chocolate Gourmet 

Honorary Committee
Paul Boulis, Lester Coney, Pamela Crutchfield, The Honorable Richard M. Daley, Sunny Fischer, James Florczak, Joan and Guy Gunzberg, David Hawkanson, Eric and Cheryl McKissack, Clare Munana, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, Gerald D. Skoning, Arthur Sussman and Lois Weisberg

Gala Committee
Chair - John E. Gingell; Kyle Akerman, Lane Alexander, Cindy Geskin, Andrea Hargrave, Dana Horst, April Johnston, Jeffrey Jordt, Beth Juhas, Gail Levine, Michael Phillips, Janet Sodaro, Amy Shivvers, Allison Swindell and Alita Tucker 

 

In 2009, A&BC held its gala Re:CREATE The Art of New on November 6th. The evening celebrated the link between arts and business through dynamic performances, lively auctions, festive guests and by honoring two champions of the arts, Janet Carl Smith and Paul Boulis.