Larry Jordan
Larry Jordan cuts cake with Academy students on the first day of school, 1981.
Larry Jordan, the pioneering founder and visionary of The Academy, embarked on a transformative journey in 1975 when he relocated from North Carolina to Chicago, driven by his unwavering passion for the arts. He began teaching art and dance at an inner-city public school with an arts program that faced financial challenges, and was upset by the lack of arts-funding in the city.
Larry, driven by a commitment to enhance arts education accessibility in the city, set out to establish a high school guided by this vision. His inspiration stemmed from his dear friend, Michael Kutza, the founder of the Chicago International Film Festival. Seeking advice, Larry approached Michael to help assemble a board of like-minded individuals. With Michael's guidance, Larry successfully formed a board comprising influential figures from Chicago, laying the groundwork to bring his vision to fruition.
From left to right: Essee Kupcinet, Carol Channing, and Larry Jordan.
In a courageous undertaking, Larry committed not only his time but also his own financial resources to breathe life into establishing Chicago's inaugural independent arts high school: The Chicago Academy for the Arts.
In 1984, Larry chose to step away from The Academy due to ongoing health problems, leaving a lasting and unmistakable legacy on the school. His successor, Ashley J. Owen, fittingly described Larry as "the man who had the vision and the dream."
Larry's presence at The Academy was more than a title; he was a beloved force. The earliest alumni of the school fondly remember him as a friendly, gregarious figure who exuded boundless joy when interacting with students. His unwavering confidence in his vision for the school was matched only by his determination to surmount every obstacle that stood in the way of its success.
Larry's untimely passing in 1987, at the tender age of 40, left a void that words cannot adequately fill. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on as a testament to the first person who believed in the potential of this extraordinary school. His vision and determination in creating this place continue to inspire generations of artists who call The Academy home.