“The CAC is the voice of architecture for Chicago.” -Gordon Gill, Founder AS+GG
Mr. Gill’s heartfelt statement from the September 5 Volunteer “Postview” Celebration of the opening of the CAC put an eloquent exclamation point on a truly wonderful first week for our new home.
Early returns suggest that the citizens of Chicagoland, along with hundreds of out of town visitors, share our and the esteemed Mr. Gill’s enthusiasm for the CAC. Visitor counts for the first three days after the doors opened to the public averaged 1800 guests per day. Media coverage has been universally positive (thank you, Blair Kamen!) and has generated an estimated 64 million viewer and reader impressions. And, more importantly, anyone who has volunteered in the center to date has basked in the glory of the excited reactions from our initial guests.
Speaking of Volunteers, I want to welcome the 52 new members of our team who have completed their orientation and Exhibit Host training and have joined, or will be joining, us on the floor of the CAC. Your arrival brings the total count of Exhibit Hosts to 136 along with 78 Guest Services Volunteers. And Caroline tells me there is another round of new recruits waiting in the wings.
Building on that point, I encourage all current Education Guides and Guest Services Volunteers who haven’t done so already to sign up for the next round of Exhibit Host training scheduled for October 2 & 3. As a “graduate” of the August class, I can personally assure you that will enjoy the incredibly engaging and informative sessions led by our VP of Education, Gabe Lyon.
On behalf of all my Volunteer colleagues, I want to offer many thanks to all the dedicated CAC staff members who have worked double duty the past several weeks putting finishing touches on the CAC and joining us in the exhibits welcoming guests, while also somehow finding time to do their “day jobs.” To all my Exhibit Host friends, please sign up for one extra shift next week so Caroline, Erin, Angela, Rebecca, Jenn, Adam, et al can have the luxury of getting back to their desks.
And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank and congratulate Lynn Osmond for her personal triumph the CAC represents. Everyone is aware of Lynn’s CEO role in partnering with the Chicago business and architecture communities and in leading the CAC organization, but those of us who have witnessed her in action, fine-tuning exhibits and interacting with guests in the galleries on an around-the-clock basis, have a new appreciation of her level of involvement in creating the vision and completing the reality of the CAC.
Bravo, Lynn! Congratulations to all of us, and I will see you at the CAC.
Bob