BAUHAUSCHICAGOFOUNDATION
BCF is an non profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of László Moholy-Nagy’s schools.
Mission Statement
The Bauhaus Chicago Foundation mission is to ensure that the educational principles formulated in the field of
creative arts at the Bauhaus and taught by László Moholy-Nagy in Chicago between 1937 and 1946 are preserved
and documented for future generations.
We believe that the legacy left by teachers and students, at the New Bauhaus, the School of Design in Chicago
and the Institute of Design, reveals the significant influence of their unique creative achievements academically
and professionally.
Our collection and preservation of the works of former faculty members and students, as well as class notes, correspondence, photographs and other documents will lead to a clearer understanding of this cultural history which unfolded in Chicago for many decades after Moholy-Nagy’s arrival.
Our goal is to partner with an existing institution which will promote international research, exhibitions and publications. In addition, we wish to create and inspire innovative and experimental programs for universities, K-12 schools, the arts community and the general public.
Board of Directors
The current members include David Burnham, Winston Koh, Onni Nickle, Linda Blackwell Bentley,
Jake Young and T. Paul Young.
Advisory Committee
Geraldine Aron, Alan Cohen, David Arthur Kropp, Jeffrey Plank, R. Thomas Schorer and John Vinci.
Staff ►brief bios
T. Paul Young, Executive Director
David J. Burnham, Research and Collection Photographer
Our Story
The Bauhaus Chicago Foundation was officially founded in November 2010 by Allen Porter and T. Paul Young as the Bauhaus Chicago Committee, with a founding board of directors (pictured) that included Thomas Chan, Donald Dimmitt, Mary Ann Dorr Lea, Per Pearson, Allen Porter, Mili Thompson, Lynn Martin Windsor and T. Paul Young. In July 2011 the organization became an Illinois nonprofit corporation followed by IRS 501(c)3 status in 2014.
The goal to collect and preserve extant student and life work related to Moholy’s school was initiated in 2005 by Allen Porter, Franz Altschuler and Mili Thompson. Their contributions soon became augmented by gifts from many others from the I.D. (Institute of Design) family. The idea developed to create a repository and research collection in perpetuity for the broadest educational purposes. This documentation provides valuable insight into the educational philosophy experienced by those who attended or taught at the school and how it affected their diverse careers.
A restoration and expansion of interest and knowledge in the role of the original Bauhaus educational approach and how it has influenced our lives, industry and commerce, is still prevalent in our culture today. Our vision proposes a study center where a critical mass of work and information is made available to student, researcher and the public in person or through the internet.
In order to fulfill our vision, BCF is not seeking to build a new museum – but an affiliation or partnership with an existing institution in Chicago ideally. This institutional partner would receive the collection step by step as it is processed and digital images are made.
Our website will ultimately include all available information about the schools, beginning with chronologies, timelines and databases of the people involved. There will be oral histories, memoirs, and biographies of faculty and students, as well the database of their works in the collection. Shown will be works of art, architecture, sculpture and design, along with documents, photographs and film of archival value from the collection.
©2016 Bauhaus Chicago Foundation
►EMAIL SIGNUP
Bauhaus Chicago Foundation is a nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization and our EIN Federal Tax ID number is 45-2966719.