Bryan’s philanthropic endeavors were expansive — and often realized. He served on the Art Institute’s board for 23 years and chaired the board from 1999 until 2006. He began the public phases of a $350 million capital campaign to build and endow a major museum addition, the Modern Wing, which opened in 2009. In the early 1990s, Bryan marshaled many Chicago-area businesses and foundations to donate $100 million to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera to fund an addition to Orchestra Hall and the Lyric’s dream of owning its space in the Civic Opera House.