Yahoo News Chicagoans of the Year in the Arts: All our names for 2023
As we approach the end of 2023, the critics and columnists of A+E reflect on the year to highlight some people who have made a difference in the city’s arts.
Chicagoan of the Year for Museums: NMMA founder and outgoing president Carlos Tortolero rethought what a museum could be
In 1982, Carlos Tortolero and five others — mostly Bowen High School colleagues — pooled $900 to start what eventually became known as the National Museum of Mexican Art. At the time, he knew a lot about Mexico but not a lot about art. It’s since grown into one of the city’s cultural landmarks. He retires from the museum he founded on Dec. 31.
Chicagoan of the Year for Books: Every so often, a book comes along that changes everything. Enter Jonathan Eig and ‘King.’
Jonathan Eig’s biography of Martin Luther King Jr. has changed perceptions of well-worn American history, and well-worn mythology about King, seemingly in real-time. It’s already in its ninth printing. It was nominated for a National Book Award and seems a probable Pulitzer Prize contender in the spring. That’s not all: Universal Pictures bought the movie rights, for Steven Spielberg to produce and Chris Rock to direct.
Chicagoan of the Year for Theater: Roche Schulfer guided the Goodman through the arts storm of the century
Under Roche Schulfer’s watch, the Goodman Theatre has just completed one of the most financially and artistically successful calendar years in its long history. This after a pandemic that was ruinous for the performing arts. The current Goodman season represents his 50th year at the managerial helm.
Chicagoan of the Year in Film: Screenwriter and director Minhal Baig has been finding new stories to tell
Some years it’s easy. This year, the accomplishments of Rogers Park native and current Hyde Park resident Minhal Baig, as she’s rarely described in interviews originating outside Chicago, make Baig the happily inevitable Tribune Chicagoan of the Year in Film.
Chicagoan of the Year for Jazz: Jahari Stampley, the 24-year-old pianist who wowed Herbie Hancock, is just getting started
Jahari Stampley keeps coming back to one word to describe the past couple months: “crazy.” As in, it’s crazy that the 24-year-old born and raised in Austin made it into the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz’s International Competition at all, much less won: he was on tour and nearly forgot to submit his application.
Chicagoans of the Year for Dance: Joffrey Ballet stage managers make the magic happen
Joffrey Ballet stage managers Mandy Heuermann and Katherine Selig bear the ultimate responsibility for every light cue firing on time, every prop piece placed where it needs to be and every set change going off without a hitch.
Chicagoan of the Year for Pop Music: DJ and musician Ariel Zetina always has her hometown in mind
Ariel Zetina was always meant to be a star. And 2023 proved to be a pivotal star-making year in her career. After the successful fall 2022 release of her debut album “Cyclorama” and spots on many “best of” lists, Zetina spent 2023 connecting with newfound fans around the world.
Chicagoan of the Year for Classical Music: CSO composer-in-residence Jessie Montgomery is new here, but her presence is already felt
These days, Chicago just makes sense for Jessie Montgomery, now 42 and among the most avidly commissioned composers of her generation. Montgomery lives in Pilsen, which has a vibrant arts scene and grassroots spirit that echoes the Lower East Side of her youth. Really, in her eyes, much of Chicago does.
