Reclaiming Cultural Capital: Arts, Museums, and Illinois' Global Future

A visionary leader and renowned curator, James has made the museum his professional home for nearly three decades, dedicated to advancing its mission to connect visitors to world-class global collections in fresh, innovative, and relevant ways.Since his appointment in 2016, James has led the museum through periods of tremendous reflection, evolution, and growth. He has supported pivotal acquisitions across all curatorial areas, appointed renowned scholars to lead eight of the eleven curatorial teams, and overseen the transformation of galleries devoted to the arts of the Americas, Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa, Northern Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. James has also pioneered the museum’s role as a profoundly civic place of gathering and is a dedicated advocate for training and mentorship programs for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the arts. 

James began his time with the Art Institute of Chicago in 1998 as associate curator of contemporary art. From 2004 through 2016, he served as Dittmer Chair and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and defined the museum’s internationally respected collection of global contemporary art—one that continues to grow in size and regard. He led the installation of this collection with the opening of the Modern Wing in 2009, and in 2015 he realized the largest gift of art in the museum’s history, the Edlis | Neeson Collection, a transformative addition of 44 post-war artworks. James has also organized and contributed to a host of critically acclaimed exhibitions and installations and raised the museum’s profile as a leading presenter of emerging and lesser-known artists. 

Illinois State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet is a full-time legislator representing Chicago’s South Side. A former Vice President of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, she serves on multiple Illinois state committees and commissions focused on environmental justice, economic security, equity and inclusion, and the protection of vulnerable populations. In the General Assembly, Rep. Du Buclet is committed to expanding democratic participation, advancing environmental justice, and strengthening opportunity for Illinois families.

Dr. Julian Siggers has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Field Museum since September 2020.

Throughout his career, Siggers has championed the importance of communicating science to the public in a way that’s engaging and accessible. He has led countless initiatives to transform museums into vibrant spaces for public education and discovery.

Before joining the Field, Siggers was the director of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia from 2012 to 2020. He oversaw the renovation of many galleries and public spaces, including the Middle East Galleries, Africa Galleries, and Mexico and Central America Gallery. He also established the Center for the Analysis of Archaeological Materials, guided implementation of new programs that welcomed diverse audiences, and led a $100 million fundraising campaign.

Siggers was previously with the Royal Ontario Museum and the United Kingdom’s National Museum of Science and Industry. He earned his PhD from the University of Toronto, with a focus on prehistoric humans in the Middle East, and his MA and BA from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London.

Siggers is a member of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) US Board of Directors and of the advisory council for the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC).

Nora Daley has focused on helping people and tirelessly strengthening communities throughout her life. She was appointed Chair of the Illinois Art Council Agency by Governor JB Pritzker in September 2022 and she continues to work with other agencies throughout the state to partner and provide access and opportunity for the creative sector. She serves as co-chair of the Chicago Architecture Biennial and has been in leadership as chairman of the Board of Trustees and executive committee member of multiple organizations, including Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the Terra Foundation for American Art, After School Matters, Navy Pier, Inc., Frances Xavier Warde School and the Richard J. Daley Global Cities Forum.

Daley has served as an advisor to and active participant in various organizations, including the Illinois Justice Project, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park Art Center, University of Illinois Chicago and Harris School of Public Policy University of Chicago. From 2011-2019 she chaired the City of Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council under Mayor Rahm Emanuel. In 2022 Daley established Raven Partners, a strategic advisory firm, to continue to build upon her work with various businesses and organizations. As a former Managing Director of Wonderworks, an immersive experiential art museum that disrupts the traditional nonprofit model, she led the relaunch, rebuild and rebrand of the museum. From 2002-2014 Daley worked as a Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach for Metropolis Strategies, an initiative from the Commercial Club of Chicago that created a civic organization focused on the growth of the regional economy to promote sustainable development and create safer communities throughout the Chicago region. Daley received a BA in Art History from Fairfield University. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.