The city showcases some of the finest world-class collections and visiting exhibitions on view across the country. From classical masterpieces to contemporary marvels, each gallery offers a unique blend of history, innovation and inspiration for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike.
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111 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
The Art Institute of Chicago boasts art from some of the most famous artists of all time, including Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso and Rembrandt. Walk through the galleries and feel at peace as you take in some of the greatest collections in American history. Director John Hughes regularly spent his afternoons here, taking inspiration from the thousands of works on display.
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1852 W. 19th St. / Website
The National Museum of Mexican Art holds one of the largest collections of works by Mexican artists in the country, including pieces by Francisco Flores, Neal Pressley and other accomplished artists. Since it first opened its doors in 1987, the museum has featured Mexican, Latinx and Chicano art and cultural exhibits, with an emphasis on providing art education and visual and performing arts programming for visitors of all ages.
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5550 S. Greenwood Ave. / Website
The Smart Museum of Art stimulates conversations through diverse ideas, experiences and identities from its exhibitions, collections, public programming and academic initiatives. Explore the study collection of American sculptor H.C. Westermann—which ranks as one of the most substantial public archives of his life—consisting of 3,579 objects sourced from his sketchbooks, sculptures, tools and personal items.
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5811 S. Ellis Ave. / Website
Founded in 1915, The Renaissance Society showcases avant-garde works from renowned artists such as Henri Matisse, Alexander Calder, Fernand Léger, Mies Van Der Rohe, Käthe Kollwitz and Joseph Cornell, among others. Myriam Ben Salah, executive director of the museum, has prioritized making the Ren a space for ambitious experimentation and risk-taking by leading multiple new commissions and debut exhibitions.
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220 E. Chicago Ave. / Website
The MCA offers exhibitions documenting visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. One of the building’s most iconic features is its outdoor staircase, inspired by the original gateway to the Acropolis. Among its greatest strengths are surrealist works from the 1940s and ’50s; minimalist works from the ’60s, and conceptual art and photography from the ’60s to the present.
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78 E. Washington St. / Website
From its iconic stained-glass globe ceiling to its Beaux-Art-style building features, vaulted lobby and mosaics, the Chicago Cultural Center is home to an exhibition program that showcases historic and contemporary artwork from across the globe. With an emphasis on giving a platform to up-and-coming local artists, the museum’s offerings span exhibit tours, guest speakers and hands-on art educational experiences in the Learning Lab.
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40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston / Website
The Block Museum of Art’s influence has reached far beyond Northwestern’s campus as national and international audiences get to experience their impact through traveling exhibitions, publications and digital escapades. With a collection of more than 6,000 modern and contemporary art across all artistic mediums worldwide, their foundation lies within prints, drawings and photographs.
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425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn / Website
Named in honor of the revered philanthropist Cleve Carney, this museum pays tribute to his legacy as an arts advocate and contemporary art collector. With programming, exhibits and artist series that serve as a launchpad for upcoming talent, the Cleve Carney Museum of Art has something in store for every visitor.
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150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. / Website
Visit the Elmhurst Art Museum to explore currently displayed visual art exhibits, participate in events and visit the McCormick House, designed in 1952 by 20th-century architect Mies Van der Rohe. From contemporary figurative artists to historical works and multi-part exhibitions, the museum showcases the wide scope of fine art and architecture throughout the ages.
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Photography by: Peter McCullough, courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Art
