Art Institute of Chicago president accused of stripping off throughout United Airlines flight | EUROtoday

The president of the Art Institute of Chicago has taken voluntary depart following stories of an incident throughout which he stripped off his garments whereas on a global flight.

James Rondeau, the Art Institute’s president and director since 2016, was accused of unusual conduct on a United Airlines plane on April 18.

Rondeau had been on the way in which to Munich, Germany. According to CBS News, which first reported the incident, he had been ingesting alcohol after taking prescription treatment. He was arrested after the aircraft landed.

In a press release shared with The Independenta spokesperson mentioned: “The Art Institute takes this very seriously and has opened an independent investigation into the incident to gather all available information.

open image in gallery

“James will voluntarily be taking time away from the office while the investigation is completed.”

Art Institute officers mentioned Rondeau has since returned to Chicago, and the management group will quickly meet to “decide the following 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 his appointment in 2016, Rondeau has been a proponent of bringing more works by female artists and artists of color into the collection.

“This variety and balance is core to our mission. We are able to leverage more established names while introducing new work and providing a more expansive view about contemporary art,” he told The New York Times in 2022.

The alleged incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 953 from Chicago to Munich on April 18. Police were called to the plane following reports of a passenger stripping off his clothes.

Sources confirmed to CBS that the passenger in query was Rondeau.

A spokesperson for United Airlines informed The Independent they’d no additional remark.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute is among the most prestigious museums within the U.S. It has an working finances of $120 million and a full-time employees of about 600.