OREANDA-NEWS. BP today announced that it has made a USD 2.5 million donation to the 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial and will serve as the major sponsor of the three-month long exhibition in one of the world's most impressive architecture cities.

Ў°BP has a long history of supporting programs, events and institutions that make Chicago great, and we're proud to sponsor this celebration of the city's significant contribution to world architecture,Ў± said BP America Chairman and President John MingЁ¦.

Running from October 1, 2015 through January 3, 2016, the first ever Chicago Architecture Biennial will be the largest international survey of contemporary architecture in North America. The event will include a number of exhibitions and educational programs featuring many of the world's leading architects.

BP's contributions to Chicago architecture date to the days of one of its heritage companies, the Standard Oil Company. In 1974, the company completed construction of the Standard Oil Building (now Aon Center) designed by Edward Durell Stone. When it was completed, the Standard Oil Building was Chicago's tallest building and the world's fourth tallest.

More recently, BP donated USD 5 million for Millennium Park's curving stainless steel pedestrian footbridge designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry. Known as the Ў°BP Bridge,Ў± the walkway connects Millennium Park with the soon-to-be-open Maggie Daley Park. The bridge's gentle slope and unique serpentine design make it accessible to people with disabilities. It opened to the public in 2004.

BP also contributed USD 10 million toward the construction of the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing, which Renzo Piano designed. The Modern Wing opened in 2009 and features the BP Student Esplanade, a dedicated entrance for school groups visiting the museum's Modern Wing.

Overall, BP has given more than USD 30 million in charitable contributions since 2006 to Chicago-area civic and community organizations, including city landmarks like The Museum of Science and Industry and Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier.

Ў°From our bustling trading floor downtown, to our ground-breaking research and development center in Naperville, to our state-of-the-art Whiting Refinery just across the state line, more than 4,000 BP employees call this city and region home,Ў± MingЁ¦ said. Ў°Supporting this great event is just one more way we're showing our pride in a place we and our heritage companies have called home for decades.Ў±