CHICAGO. IL.- Madeleine Grynsztejn, Pritzker Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, announced the launch of the Vision Campaign today--the museum's capital campaign to raise $64 million--and has already raised $60 million in private donations toward the goal to date. This major campaign milestone was reached with a $10 million gift from the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund. The Vision Campaign is in support of the MCA's highly acclaimed programming renowned for engaging audiences with the most important art and ideas being produced today.

"We find ourselves in a period of advancement and opportunity after marking major achievements in attendance and audience-building last year," said Madeleine Grynsztejn. "We are now moving from our original purpose to a more purposeful vision. While preserving our long-held commitment to living artists, the MCA is equally committed to our diverse audiences and to presenting art that engages and inspires them. The Vision Campaign is about great art and ideas-that connect with the community and propel the MCA as a leader in the cultural economy."

The most recent supporter of the Vision Campaign is the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund, which gave a $10 million gift to fund the MCA's new Griffin Galleries of Contemporary Art. Other major gifts to the campaign include two other $10 million donations-from Helen and Sam Zell, on behalf of the Zell Family Foundation to create the Zell Fund for Artistic Excellence; and from Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson, whose gift funded the naming of the Edlis Neeson Theater in their honor-among many other generous donations by Vision Donors.

Over the past few years of the campaign, the MCA has advanced its channels of access and interpretation to be a facilitator between artist and audience. There is a new focus on the creative process-presenting artist-led programs as often as exhibitions in the gallery, community forums as often as expert lectures, and open rehearsals as often as finished performances. The successful convergence of exhibitions, collection, performance, and educational programs is exemplified by recent offerings such as David Bowie Is, which drew record-breaking attendance and cultivated new audiences.

King Harris, Chair of the MCA Board of Trustees said, "At the MCA, we are committed to both sustainability and growth. Under Madeleine's leadership, there has never been a time of greater confidence and clarity in the direction of the museum. Due to the phenomenal level of philanthropy and support shown by our Vision Donors, the museum today is on solid financial ground and can realize this ambitious vision."