MCA Chicago Director Departs After 18 Years; Tate Modern to Feature Hockney Opera Sets

Madeleine Grynsztejn, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, announced her departure after eighteen years at the institution. She joined in 2008 and oversaw significant exhibitions, including retrospectives for artists like Kerry James Marshall, Doris Salcedo, Takashi Murakami, Howardena Pindell, Virgil Abloh, and Luc Tuymans. Grynsztejn cited the museum's upcoming sixtieth anniversary as a natural transition point. In London, Tate Modern will present an exhibition showcasing opera sets designed by David Hockney for productions by Mozart, Wagner, and Stravinsky, dating to the 1970s. The show marks Hockney's ninetieth birthday. In Chicago, Google confirmed it will retain the Thompson Center name for its commercial leasing plans, describing the space as a future cultural hub. Meanwhile, conservation work on Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house is nearing completion after a three-year, $7 million project to address structural issues. In other news, the Chicago Housing Authority appointed Keith Pettigrew as its new CEO after a sixteen-month vacancy. Filmmaker David Lynch's Hollywood Hills compound, originally designed by Lloyd Wright, sold for $13 million. Architect Jordan Hicks drew inspiration from Chicago Imagists for a home renovation. Chicago's Black-owned breweries Moor's and Funkytown are navigating industry challenges through contract brewing and cultural events. A City Council vote may reverse tipped wage policies. Chef Sujan Sarkar is expanding his Chicago restaurant Indienne to Manhattan. Nationally, restaurant alcohol sales are declining, and reservation platform competition is intensuring. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav could receive up to $887 million from a studio sale. Librarian Jarrett Dapier published a graphic novel addressing book bans, inspired by Chicago events. Lollapalooza announced its 2026 lineup, featuring The Smashing Pumpkins and Lorde. Vinyl record revenue exceeded $1 billion in the U.S. in 2025. Chicago band Ratboys extended their North American tour. Chicago Humanities Festival released its spring programming lineup.