The president of the Art Institute of Chicago has voluntarily stepped away from his position after reports emerged about him removing all his clothing during an international flight.
James Rondeau, who has been serving as both the president and director of the Art Institute since 2016, faced allegations of unusual conduct aboard a United Airlines flight on April 18.
Rondeau was en route to Munich, Germany when the incident occurred. As initially reported by CBS News, he had consumed alcohol following his intake of prescribed medications. The authorities detained him upon the plane’s arrival.
In an announcement provided to
The Independent
A representative stated: “The Art Institute views this matter with great seriousness and has initiated an independent inquiry into the event to collect all pertinent details.”
James has chosen to take voluntary leave from his work duties until the completion of the investigation.
The Art Institute officials mentioned that Rondeau has now gone back to Chicago, and the leadership team plans to convene shortly to “chart the way forward.”
As the head of the Art Institute, Rondeau earns over $1 million annually. This institution employs roughly 600 individuals and showcases renowned pieces like Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” and Vincent van Gogh’s “The Bedroom.” Established in 1879, the institute operates with a budget of $120 million per year.
Since taking office in 2016, Rondeau has advocated for incorporating a greater number of artworks created by women and artists from minority backgrounds into the collection.
“This mix and equilibrium are central to our purpose. We can utilize well-known figures while also presenting fresh creations, thereby offering a broader perspective on modern art,” he explained.
The New York Times
in 2022.
The reported event took place on United Airlines Flight 953 traveling from Chicago to Munich on April 18. Law enforcement was summoned to the aircraft after receiving reports about a passenger disrobing.
Sources verified with CBS that the individual involved was Rondeau.
A representative from United Airlines stated
The Independent
They did not have anything further to add.
Established in 1879, the Art Institute stands as one of the leading museums in the United States. With an operational budget of $120 million and approximately 600 permanent employees, it maintains significant scale and influence.
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