Asst. Prof. Claudine Isé made new Executive Director of Woman Made Gallery!
October 15, 2014 - Woman Made Gallery (WMG), Chicago's renowned feminist contemporary art gallery, is proud to announce the appointment of a new Executive Director. Visiting Assistant Professor at UIC, Claudine Isé, will succeed Beate Minkovski as Executive Director and continue the non-profit gallery's mission to support, cultivate and promote the diverse contributions of women in the arts through exhibitions and programs that serve, educate and enrich the community
Claudine Isé has taught with the Museum and Exhibition Studies (MUSE) graduate program since it's inception. Isé's role as an instructor as well as advisor to the program and numerous students has been deeply influential on the program.
Isé has nearly 20 years of experience in the field of contemporary art. She has worked at institutions and arts organizations including the Wexner Center for the Arts, the UCLA Hammer Museum, and ART21. She has also written extensively about contemporary art and artists for numerous publications including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago magazine, Chicago Reader, Artforum.com, Art Papers, and the ART21 Blog.
"I'm thrilled to be joining Woman Made Gallery as its new Executive Director," Isé said. "Under Beate's governance, WMG has established itself as one of only a handful of nonprofit contemporary art spaces in the U.S. dedicated to the work of women artists. I am deeply inspired by the Gallery's unwavering commitment to the social and cultural ideals espoused by feminism, LGBTQ activism, and social justice movements. Woman Made Gallery is a vital resource for contemporary artists of all genders, and I am looking forward to working with its exceptional staff, board and funders to further the Gallery's mission."
Under Minkovski's guidance, more than 7,500 women artists have exhibited at the gallery since its founding in 1994. Thus far WMG has hosted 378 exhibitions, including group and solo shows, off-site shows and an annual international juried group exhibit presenting artists from across the world. In 2012 WMG launched the 20 Neighborhoods Project, a series of art and education workshops designed to build community between neighborhoods that lack ready access to arts programming.
"We are honored to have such a qualified person as Claudine join WMG as executive director. It is an exciting time for the future of the gallery," said Board President Tammi Franke. "We will miss Beate's leadership and wish her the best for a well-deserved retirement."
"I am looking forward to WMG's exciting future under the leadership of dynamic Claudine Isé. She truly is the ideal person to guide the organization with warmth and her unique vision. I can't step down without first sending my thanks and appreciation to a magnificent board of directors, staff, volunteers, members, donors, curators, artists, poets and supporting public for giving me the opportunity to be of service. I will always be there for WMG in whatever capacity desired to lend a hand or two," said Executive Director Beate Minkovski.
Claudine Isé received her BA in English Literature from Pomona College, and an MA and PhD in Film, Literature and Culture from the University of Southern California.
About Women Made Gallery
Woman Made Gallery is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization founded in 1992. Its goal is to support women in the arts by providing opportunities, awareness and advocacy. It specifically accomplishes this mission through curated and themed exhibitions as well as community-specific and public art initiatives that boost the capacity, diversity, voice and position of women artists.
To learn more about WMG please visit www.womanmade.org.