Philanthropy embodies the desire to enhance the well-being of others, often demonstrated through generous contributions to meaningful causes.
M. Christine (Chris) Schwartz exemplifies philanthropy in its purest form through her dedication and generosity to meaningful causes. Her educational journey includes earning degrees from three public universities in Illinois: University of Illinois Chicago (BSN ’70), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (MS ’72, Applied Health Sciences), and Northern Illinois University (MS ’80).
Chris dedicated her professional career to nursing, a field inherently committed to promoting the health and welfare of others. “I’m passionate about my life’s work and I consider myself fortunate to have received an education that enabled me to pursue and excel in a nursing career focused on serving others,” she said. Chris actively contributes to the education of future nurses across several institutions, supporting those pursuing similar career paths.
At Krannert Art Museum, we were fortunate to discover an additional passion of hers—one that also enhances the well-being of others, but in a different way.
She has been collecting art since 1979. We connected with her through her efforts to preserve a special group of paintings by Chicago artists that she purchased to save from dispersal outside the state. Through multiple conversations and meetings, a number of those paintings are now a valued part of Krannert Art Museum’s permanent collection (including Martha Baker’s Self-Portrait, 1911, currently on view).
Those conversations also led to impassioned discussions about why art is important and the value it brings to our lives, and why the history of art, museums, and artists are so vitally important.
Ultimately, Chris decided to share a significant monetary gift in support of Krannert Art Museum, and with her gift we have established the M. Christine Schwartz Endowment for Exhibition Support. This new endowment fund will provide secure funding in perpetuity for curatorial research, developing and executing diverse research-based temporary exhibitions, and exhibitions showcasing innovative and robust reinterpretations of the museum’s permanent collection.
We sincerely thank Chris for her immensely impactful gift and her commitment to supporting the dedicated efforts of the museum’s curators and educators as they collaboratively research, develop exhibitions and programming, and share the results of their work with all visitors to Krannert Art Museum.
Author: Brenda Nardi, Senior Director of Advancement
