The Art Institute of Chicago
One of the top museums in the country and a popular Windy City destination, the Art Institute displays and curates magnificent collections of art ranging from ancient artifacts from Africa to contemporary paintings and modern photographic arts. Located near many other popular attractions such as the Shedd Aquarium, the Navy Pier, and the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute is a premier destination for a cultural and educational day in Chicago.
Dedicated to preserving the art of the past and encouraging future artistic ambitions, the Art Institute’s exhibitions and permanent collections feature only the best that the world’s artists have to offer. From ancient civilizations in Africa and later Greece and Rome, ceremonial and practical use artifacts are displayed such as fertility figurines, spiritual headdresses, masks, jars, urns, and more. Moving along the historical timeline, other collections feature Medieval and Renaissance pieces from devotional books to knight armor, weapons, and paintings.
The Art Institute holds some of the world’s most classic treasures such as Georges Seurat’s pointillist painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Self-Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh. Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and more fill in the gaps between traditional galleries of Renoir and Rembrandt with experimental movements and contemporary styles. American masters are represented by paintings like Nighthawks by Edward Hopper and American Gothic by Grant Wood, both are iconic paintings that give a personal sense of American society.
Student tours, hands-on activities, lecture series, author talks, guided tours, and adult programs are available among other customizable programs for visitors to experience the most from the museum. The Chicago Art Institute is open every day at 10:30 am, closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.