The president of the Art Institute of Chicago has voluntarily stepped away from his position after reports surfaced about him removing all his clothing during an international flight.
James Rondeau, the Art Institute’s president and director since 2016, was accused of strange behavior on a United Airlines aircraft on April 18.
Rondeau was en route to Munich, Germany. As CBS News initially reported, he had consumed alcohol following the intake of prescribed medications. He was taken into custody upon arrival at his destination.
In an announcement provided to
The Independent
, a spokesperson said: “The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information.
James has chosen to take voluntary leave from his work duties until the completion of the investigation.
Art Institute officials said Rondeau has since returned to Chicago, and the leadership team will soon meet to “determine the next steps.”
As president of the Art Institute, Rondeau’s salary is more than $1 million a year. The institute employs around 600 people and plays host to such world-renowned works as Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” and “The Bedroom” by Vincent Van Gogh. Founded in 1879, the institute has an operating budget of $120 million.
Since taking office in 2016, Rondeau has advocated for incorporating a greater number of artworks by women and artists from minority backgrounds into the collection.
“This mix and equilibrium are central to our objective. We can utilize well-known figures while also presenting fresh creations, thus 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 removing their clothing.
CBS verified with sources 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 premier museums in the country. With an annual operational budget of $120 million and approximately 600 permanent employees, it maintains significant scale and influence.
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