1. DePaul Museum of Art
The DePaul Museum of Art specializes in international modern and contemporary art. It is a convenient location for DePaul students to explore art, but also for visitors to Chicago in general. The museum hosts between four and six temporary exhibits throughout the year, as well as boasting a permanent collection of more than 3,000 items.
Address: 935 W Fullerton, Chicago, IL 60614
Opening hours: Monday-Tuesday: Closed. / Wednesday and Thursday: 11.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. / Friday: 11.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. / Saturday and Sunday: 12.00 noon – 5.00 p.m.
Free: Admission is always free.
More information: http://museums.depaul.edu/
2. Loyola Museum of Art
The Loyola Museum of Art, also known as LUMA, forms part of the Loyola University Chicago. It focuses mostly on spiritual and contemporary arts. With eight main exhibition galleries, the LUMA’s permanent collection contains the Martin D’Arcy Collection of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art and objects that range in date from 1150 to 1800.
Address: 820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660
How to get there: Redline to Chicago and State
Opening hours: Tuesday: 11.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. / Wednesday and Saturday from 11.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
Admission: Free through November 11th, 2017. After that, please check the website for more information.
More information: https://www.luc.edu/luma/
3. The Museum of Contemporary Art
Apart from the LUMA, the Museum of Contemporary Art is definitely my favorite. There’s always fun pop culture art and speakers. Chance the Rapper, Chicago’s very own prodigy, is the next famous speaker to present at the MCA. The museum’s collection is composed of thousands of objects of Post-WWII art. The museum is run gallery-style, with individually curated exhibitions throughout the year. Each exhibition may be composed of temporary loans, pieces from their permanent collection, or a combination of the two.
Address: 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
How to get there: Redline to Chicago and State
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Admission: Free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays. $15 for adults, $8 for students.
More information: https://mcachicago.org/Home
4. The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute is one of the oldest and biggest art museums in Chicago. Its surrounding area is worth a visit in itself – it is near Grant Park and Millennium Park, home to Chicago’s famous “Bean” sculpture. The Art Institute of Chicago includes iconic pieces such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, and Grant Wood’s American Gothic.
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
How to get there: Redline and exit at Monroe.
Admission: free on Thursday evenings.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
More information: http://www.artic.edu
5. National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art features Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture. The museum is located in the rich hispanic neighborhood of Pilsen, a hot spot also for authentic Mexican food. The museum displays Mexican culture as one “sin fronteras” (without borders) and is the largest Latino cultural institution in America.
Address: 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
How to get there: Pink line to 18th street
Admission: Free admission!
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
More information: http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
6. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is dedicated to the arts and culture of the Puerto Rican people and of the Puerto Ricans in Chicago. It hosts visual arts exhibitions, community education, and festivals. The Institute is a non-profit organization that is supported by Chicago Park District’s museum in the park program.
Address: 3015 West Division Street
How to get there: Redline to North and Clybourn. Then CTA 72 bus to North and Humboldt
Admission: Free admission and free parking
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
More information: http://nmprac.org
7. National Veterans Art Museum
The National Veterans Art Museum is dedicated to displaying and studying art produced by veterans from the Vietnam War and other wars and conflicts. The museum’s mission is to inspire greater understanding of the impact of war through the collection of art created by veterans of all U.S. military conflicts. The museum displays military and artistic heritage, helping citizens and veterans make connections across diverse ranges of experience.
Address: 4041 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60641
How to get there: Redline to Sheridan. CTA 80 bus to Irving and Cicero
Admission: free admission!
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.
More Information: http://www.nvam.org/Visit.xml
8. Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
This place is near and dear to my heart because it is located in my childhood neighborhood! The Ukrainian Village has definitely developed into a more advanced and diverse neighborhood, but to stick to its roots, it has this great place. The museum is a modern art museum serving the city with an ongoing program of cultural exhibitions, literary events, film screenings and music recitals.
Address: 2320 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
How to get there: Redline to Chicago and State. CTA 66 to Chicago and Western
Admission: free admission but certain exhibits require membership
Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 12.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.
More Information: http://uima-chicago.org
9. Rotofugi
While this is not your typical art museum, Rotofugi is a collector’s toy shop with a selection of designer plush & vinyl figures, and it also an art gallery. The gallery features monthly art exhibits by a range of both local and nationally known artists. Rotofugi is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Kirby and Whitney Kerr.
Address: 2780 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
How to get there: Redline to Fullerton
Admission: free!
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 11.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
More information: https://rotofugi.com
10. Chicago Art Source gallery
Chicago Art Source is a gallery that has similar businesses nearby, such as Jayson Home and Artists Frame Service. The two are both corporate and residential art and framing services and extraordinary home furnishings.
Address: 1871 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
How to get there: Redline to North and Clybourn
Admission: free
Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. / Saturday: 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. / Also by appointment
More information: http://artwork.chicagoartsource.com