The Academy Welcomes Dr. Scott Stewart as Director of Advancement
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is thrilled to welcome Dr. Scott Stewart as our new Director of Advancement. A passionate advocate for the arts and culture as essential pillars of vibrant, equitable communities, Scott brings more than two decades of leadership experience across nonprofit, academic, governmental, and cultural institutions.
Throughout his 20+ year career, Scott has elevated the reputation and impact of parks, public gardens, academic programs, and public cultural spaces across the country. As Executive Director of Millennium Park Foundation, he guided one of the nation’s most iconic public spaces into its second decade, welcoming over 20 million annual visitors to experience Chicago’s best in art, architecture, music, dance, and gardens. Under his leadership, the Foundation secured significant new donor gifts, fueling innovative programs, technology enhancements, and endowment growth.
Most recently, Scott served as Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Park Foundation in Frisco, Texas, where he led the creation of a 6-acre, $46 million arts and culture family park. Partnering with the City of Frisco, the Community Foundation of Texas, the Hall Group, and other collaborators, he brought to life a new model for public-private partnerships in cultural placemaking.
Scott holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida and bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry, with minors in English, rhetoric, and creative writing, from Illinois College. Born and raised in Central Illinois, he proudly considers Chicago his “second hometown.”
As The Academy’s Director of Advancement, Scott will guide the school’s philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, as well as oversee the development and marketing teams, helping to sustain and grow the transformative education that defines The Academy experience.
“Now is one of the most exciting and meaningful times for the arts in Chicago. I am excited to help elevate The Academy’s role as the leader in arts education.
I have quickly learned of the love students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni have for The Academy. The opportunity to leverage this tremendous love to grow our resources and secure our future is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I cannot think of a place I’d rather be, or people I’d rather work alongside.”
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Scott!
