Mary Ittelson, the MCA's first associate director; a former chair of the board of trustees; and current life member of the board. Ittelson was also acting museum director between the tenure of I. Michael Danoff and Kevin Consey. I photographed her in the MCA's Puck's cafe where she is standing in front of Martin Creed's Work No. 1351.
We spoke about her long history at the MCA and the efforts between a cast of unlikely characters involved in negotiating the museum's new site. She relays an anecdote involving National Guard generals, parking, and Chicago Bears football.
Listen to the 16-minute conversation:
(Note: the sculpture Ittelson refers to as Barkman is Tom Czarnopys' untitled work from 1984. You can see it here.)
Mary Ittelson stepped into her first museum role as plans were underway to transition to the new armory site. Within weeks, I. Michael Danoff resigned his directorship. In an August 10, 1988 Chicago Tribune article on the Danoff's impending departure, board of trustees president, John D. Cartland said, "We will look primarily for someone with the artistic vision to lead us into the new building. The person will assume curatorial and educational administration, conceiving and executing some exhibitions while being a spokesman to the community. But that's a large enough order. The remaining administration will be handled by Mary Ittelson, our associate director."
Chief curator Bruce Guenther eventually joined Ittelson as a co-director until Kevin Consey arrived at the museum in November 1989.
Newspaper headlines as Marry Ittelson arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and then became its acting director and then co-director until a new director was hired nearly a year later. She continues to serve the MCA as a life member of the board.
Chicago Tribune, May 29, 1988
Chicago Tribune, July 14, 1988
Quote from the above article by museum director I. Michael Danoff:
"Mary Ittelson combines skills in analysis, management and problem-solving with an appreciation of the arts,” Danoff said. “I look forward to the contribution she will make to our daily operations and planning as we prepare for relocation to a major new facility.”
Within a month, Danoff left the MCA and Mary Ittelson became its acting director.
Chicago Tribune, August 10, 1988
December 20, 1988
July 24, 1989
Kevin Consey was chosen as the MCA's new director at the beginning of August, he would assume the position in November.