Louise Lincoln Expanded and Elevated DePaul Art Museum

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Louise Lincoln, former director of DePaul University’s art museum, died at age 79 after leading the institution’s growth from a small gallery to a prominent 15,200-square-foot facility with a diverse and significant art collection. Her passing comes as the university evaluates the museum’s future amid budget cuts, highlighting her lasting impact on art education and cultural engagement.

Louise Lincoln, the transformative force behind the growth of DePaul University’s art museum, died on October 11 at the age of 79 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease, her family confirmed. Over a 17-year tenure as director, Lincoln oversaw the museum’s expansion from a modest gallery space in a campus basement to a dedicated 15,200-square-foot facility on Fullerton Avenue in Chicago.

Under Lincoln’s leadership, the museum acquired significant works spanning old masters, 20th-century artists, influential photographers, and notable Chicago creators. Key acquisitions included a painting on tin by Diego Rivera, works by Rembrandt, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, as well as photography by Bruce Davidson and Dawoud Bey. She emphasized exhibitions that connected art with diverse cultures and contemporary social and political themes, helping to elevate the museum’s profile regionally and nationally.

“She always looked for ways to highlight alternative and diverse artistic expressions in line with DePaul’s mission,” said the Rev. Edward Udovic, former vice president for teaching and learning resources at DePaul. “Her leadership in expanding collections, exhibitions, and donor relations was visionary and exacting.”

Born Louise Hassett in Towson, Maryland, in 1947, Lincoln held a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in art history from Bryn Mawr College and a master’s in art history focused on both 20th-century and classical art from the University of Delaware. After relocating to Chicago in 1971, she worked at the University of Chicago before moving to the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where she advanced from curatorial researcher to associate curator of the African, Oceanic, and New World Cultures department. During this period, she curated pioneering exhibitions, including the first display of Malagan sculptures from the island of New Ireland.

Lincoln returned to Chicago in 1997 when she was recruited to lead DePaul’s museum. She was instrumental in securing funding and support for the museum’s new building, which opened in 2011 and provided significantly improved exhibition space. In addition to her curatorial and administrative duties, Lincoln was a mentor to students who later pursued museum careers.

Retired DePaul associate vice president Doris Brown reflected on Lincoln’s impact: “She transformed a small art collection into an integral part of DePaul’s curriculum and public programs, advancing the museum’s role as a national leader in promoting multicultural and socially engaged art.”

In recent years, DePaul University announced the closure of the museum amid budget constraints, sparking opposition from faculty and community members who emphasized the institution’s educational and cultural value. DePaul has since formed a task force to assess the museum’s future, with recommendations expected later this year.

Lincoln retired in 2014 as her health declined but remained an influential figure in Chicago’s art community. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Lincoln, retired University of Chicago Divinity School professor; two daughters, Martha and Rebecca; two granddaughters; and a sister, Mary Miles. A memorial service is planned for March.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.