The editorial categories are research topics that have guided researchers during the recovery phase and continue to be the impetus behind the Documents Project’s digital archive and the Critical Documents book series. Developed by the project’s Editorial Board, each of the teams analyzed this framework and adapted it to their local contexts in developing their research objectives and work plans during the Recovery Phase. Learn more on the Editorial Framework page.
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This press packet is a collection of twenty-nine articles from local and national publications and press releases from Chicago artists’ organizations that convey the controversy surrounding The Chicago Show. Meant as a blind-juried art exhibition, The Chicago Show was restructured as a partly-invitation show when it became evident to the organizers that it was not going to be sufficiently diverse. The headlines suggest the divisive nature of local responses to this exhibition, as well as the level of debate it provoked about the issues around the lack of representation artists of color found in mainstream museums.
This press packet, with a selection of photocopies of press releases and articles from newspapers and magazines that related to the controversial The Chicago Show, was compiled by the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and distributed to artists. The Chicago Show began as a juried art exhibition intended to spotlight the talent and cultural diversity of Chicago-area artists. However, when the blind jury failed to select a sufficiently assorted group, twenty artists of color were invited to participate. A boycott of the show was averted when organizers agreed not to indicate the twenty artists of color who were invited and not selected by the blind jury. Show organizers also agreed to issue an official apology and to enter into a dialogue about minority artists’ concerns.