Creative Capital

Theaster Gates

With masters’ degrees in both sculpture and urban planning, Theaster Gates’s work explores urban planning, public space and cultural development. Gates moves between various media and themes in his work. Through such major platforms as the Whitney Biennial, the Pulitzer Museum, the Milwaukee Museum of Art, and upcoming Documenta 13 and Dorchester Projects, the artist builds upon projects previously realized in Detroit, St. Louis, North Omaha and Chicago. Gates was chosen as the commissioned artist for The Armory Show 2012. Gates is the Director of Arts and Public Life and University Artist at the University of Chicago and is also the founder of Rebuild Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that supports the space needs of artists and cultural activation of abandoned sites.