Experience Chicago's World-Class Art for Free

Chicago is a wonderful town for art lovers on a budget. Creations by world-renown artists including Calder, Dubuffet, Kappor, Miro, and Picasso add dimension to Chicago's public spaces. Hidden underneath the Wacker Drive bridge over the Chicago River is Riverwalk Gateway - a series of panels illustrating the Chicago River's history. And, each year, Navy Pier offers Pier Walk, an exhibit with hundreds of outdoor sculptures.

Whether you live in Chicago or are visiting, many people do not know there are also ways to see the Chicagoland area's extensive museum art collection for free. No matter what your taste in art, there is something for everyone seeking an art adventure. Here are some of the most popular art museums with free days and times:

The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago
Ford Free Thursday evenings
5:00 8:00 p.m.

Beverly Arts Center
2407 W. 111th Street
Chicago
Free Daily

David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art
University of Chicago
5550 S. Greenwood Avenue
Chicago
Free Daily

Elmhurst Art Museum
150 Cottage Hills Avenue
Elmhurst
Free Daily

Evanston Art Center
2603 Sheridan Road
Evanston
Free Daily

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N. Milwaukee
Chicago
Free Daily

Loyola University Museum of Art
820 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago
Free Tuesday

McCord Gallery and Cultural Center
9602 Creek Road
Palos Park
Free Daily

Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago
Free Tuesday

Other places to see free art include the James Thompson Center (a State of Illinois office building at Randolph and Clark streets) and the Chicago Cultural Center (on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street). In addition, many large office buildings have public art in the lobby. As you walk the downtown streets, be certain to walk into a lobby or two.

Chicago's public art program insures everyone can enjoy world-class art for free. By taking advantage of free admission days at Chicago's art museums, everyone can see Chicago's full art collection at a budget-friendly price.

Learn more about this author, Shari Schmidt.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Chicago: Travel tips for the Windy City?
We want to hear your view. Write now!