Eddie Chambers Joins SAIC as Goldabelle McComb Finn Distinguished Professor

CHICAGO––The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), a leader in art and design education, is delighted to announce the appointment of Eddie Chambers as the Goldabelle McComb Finn Distinguished Professor in Art History, Theory, and Criticism. As a renowned scholar and celebrated artist, Chambers brings with him decades of experience in both higher education and the art world. This tenured position, housed in SAIC’s Department of Art History, Theory, and Criticism, underscores the School’s commitment to advancing critical discourse and interdisciplinary education in art history. Chambers will hold the professorship following David J. Getsy. His appointment begins on August 16.

“Eddie Chambers is an exceptional scholar, artist, and educator whose work has shaped the global conversation on diasporic Black Studies and art history,” said T. Camille Martin-Thomsen, dean of faculty and vice president for Academic Affairs. “His appointment will enhance the vibrant academic and creative culture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.”

Chambers brings a distinguished record of academic leadership and creative practice. He is currently the David Bruton, Jr. Centennial Professor in Art History at the University of Texas at Austin and a former editor-in-chief of Art Journal. His career began as an artist in Britain, with key works collected by Tate Britain; Arts Council Collection, London; Sheffield Museums; and Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Since the early 1980s, Chambers has curated exhibitions globally, authored two monographs on Black British Art, and edited The Routledge Companion to African American Art History and contributed an essay to The Routledge Companion to Decolonizing Art History. His essays have appeared in prominent journals such as Third Text, Visual Culture in Britain, and International Review of African American Art.

As the Goldabelle McComb Finn Distinguished Professor, Chambers will play a critical role in teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students. His position will focus on expanding curricular coverage for the department’s programs in Art History, including undergraduate courses, graduate seminars, and master’s thesis supervision. Chambers will also engage with studio artists, designers, architecture students, and arts professionals at all levels, contributing to the department’s research-oriented culture.

“I am honored to join the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as the Goldabelle McComb Finn Distinguished Professor,” said Chambers. “SAIC’s commitment to interdisciplinary exploration and its rich creative community make it an exciting environment for teaching and collaboration, and I look forward to fostering an inclusive and reflective approach to art history.”

Chambers’s research focus on diasporic Black Studies and his art history expertise will bring an invaluable perspective to the department. His career as an artist, with works in major collections, will help the department bridge theory and practice in a way that resonates with students and faculty alike.

About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. Notable alums and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.