Exhibitions

Exhibitions in Chicago

35 exhibitions on now or coming soon, across 7 venues.

List updated on October 10, 2026, from the museums’ own websites. A selection of major venues, not every gallery in town. Check opening hours and tickets on the museum’s page before you go.

On now 25

Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Galleries 124–127

Beyond Form: Abstraction at Midcentury

Jun 27 to Oct 19

Free Last weeks

This exhibition explores how abstraction emerged as a powerful visual language between 1940 and 1970. It features 65 artists from over 23 countries, showcasing a period of global upheaval and transformation. Abstraction allowed artists worldwide to move beyond realism and convey complex emotions, ideas, and experiences. However, it was not a singular movement with a single reason, technique, or style; the impulses, methods, and resulting artworks were highly diverse. Many artists responded to shifting social and political climates by using materials in unexpected and sometimes destructive ways. Processes like burning, tearing, folding, and layering embraced chance and resisted categorization

Yayoi Kusama · Helen Frankenthaler · Jackson Pollock · Luchita Hurtado · Lee Krasner · Robert Motherwell

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Image: The Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society · Cobb Hall, 4th Floor

Karimah Ashadu: Tendered

Sep 12 to Nov 1

Free

The Renaissance Society presents "Tendered," a solo exhibition by Karimah Ashadu, focusing on her moving-image practice. Ashadu's work investigates how bodies are shaped, disciplined, and understood within contemporary labor and value systems, particularly in West Africa. She creates intimate, long-term engagements with individuals in informal economies, exploring how aspirations are managed amidst material limitations. The exhibition features the U.S. debut of "MUSCLE," a new moving-image installation. This work examines bodybuilders training in Lagos's slums, positioning bodybuilding as a form of exertion, labor, investment, and self-creation. "MUSCLE" was co-commissioned by the Renaissanc

Karimah Ashadu

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 188

Self, Made: Fourteen Modern Artists from the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Collection

Jun 25 to Nov 9

Free

This exhibition, "Self, Made: Fourteen Modern Artists from the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Collection," explores themes of self-invention through photography, drawing, and sculpture. Many of the featured artists worked outside traditional gallery and museum systems, challenging conventional notions of artistic validation. The collection reflects the broad-minded and egalitarian collecting philosophy of Richard and Ellen Sandor, who amassed a remarkable array of works by both celebrated and overlooked artists. They particularly valued innovation and individuality in makers with a strong sense of self. The Sandors' collection was built over time, starting with a few key pieces and expandin

Luke Pelletier · William Edmondson · Lee Godie · Martín Ramírez · Joseph Yoakum · Cindy Sherman

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Image: Driehaus Museum

Driehaus Museum · Murphy Auditorium

Brendan Fernandes: In the Round

Apr 9 to Nov 14

The Driehaus Museum presents Brendan Fernandes: In the Round, the latest exhibition in its A Tale of Today series. This exhibition places contemporary art in dialogue with the museum's historic art, architecture, and design. Brendan Fernandes, the museum's first artist-in-residence, will transform the 1926 Murphy Auditorium into a dynamic space. The auditorium will feature sculptural installation, movement, sound, and dance. This residency is conceived as an evolving, episodic program throughout 2026. Performance dates and public programs will be announced at intervals. Organized by guest curator Stephanie Cristello, the exhibition takes place at the Driehaus Museum. Inspired by New York Cit

Brendan Fernandes

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 238

Saint-Porchaire Ceramics: Rediscovered Treasures of the French Renaissance

Special Loan Installation

Mar 25 to Nov 15

Free

This exhibition showcases Saint-Porchaire ceramics, renowned as some of the rarest and most exquisite treasures of the French Renaissance. Approximately 70 examples of these ceramics are known to exist globally, each distinguished by its refined modeling and intricate decoration. Created between 1520 and 1570, they are closely linked to the royal courts of François I and Henri II. These remarkable pieces often feature emblems of power, prestige, and desire, such as the cipher of Henri II and his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. The ceramics exemplify the sophistication and innovative spirit of Renaissance court culture. Fashioned from lead-glazed earthenware, their sculptural forms are reminisce

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Block Museum of Art

Picturing the Modern Metropolis: Prints and Photographs from The Block's Collection

Sep 9 to Dec 6

Free

This exhibition, "Picturing the Modern Metropolis: Prints and Photographs from The Block's Collection," delves into the 20th century's fascination with the urban landscape as depicted through prints and photographs from The Block Museum's collection. Over 100 works are featured, primarily from the 20th century, showcasing how artists engaged with the city as a central theme. The exhibition highlights the visual and sensory experiences of urban life, from towering skyscrapers to dynamic street scenes, emphasizing the fast tempo of modern city living. Artists employed exaggerated forms and fragmentation to convey the immersive experience of these bustling environments. Through their work, they

Edward Steichen · Vivian Maier · Ed Ruscha · Andy Warhol · Henry Simon · Yuichi Idaka

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Block Museum of Art · Second Floor

The Block Collects 2026

Sep 9 to Dec 6

Free

The Block Collects 2026 is an annual exhibition at The Block Museum of Art that showcases new acquisitions for the museum's collection. This year's exhibition highlights the work of Chicago-based artist Antonius-Tín Bui, whose piece 'and you, all future tense, leak through' (2023) was recommended for purchase by a student-led group. Bui's practice is diverse, encompassing mixed media on hand-cut paper, community engagement, performance, and soft sculpture. Their work often explores themes of hybrid identities and complex relationships with the past. As a Vietnamese American, queer, and genderfluid artist, Bui uses beauty as a source of refuge for individuals from marginalized communities. Th

Antonius-Tín Bui

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Galleries 1–4

Lee Miller: Fearless

Aug 29 to Dec 7

Free

This exhibition, "Lee Miller: Fearless," is the first major survey of her photographic work in over 25 years. It comprehensively explores the diverse and singular career of Lee Miller, a figure who was a fashion model, magazine photographer, studio operator, Surrealist innovator, international adventurer, and battlefield correspondent. Miller's approach to life and creativity was characterized by a bold, risk-taking attitude, as she famously stated, "It was a matter of getting out on a damn limb and sawing it off behind you." Born in 1907, she moved to Paris at age 20, working both in front of and behind the camera. In Paris, she pioneered Surrealist techniques and fearlessly addressed darin

Lee Miller

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 107

Utamaro: Elements of Beauty

Sep 23 to Dec 20

Free

This exhibition showcases over 40 celebrated designs by Kitagawa Utamaro, drawn entirely from the Art Institute's collection. Utamaro's portrayals of women were groundbreaking, investing traditional subjects with fresh vibrancy. He experimented with dramatic close-ups, hinting at the complex inner lives of his subjects. The exhibition features his characteristic rendering of feminine beauty, developed during his collaboration with publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō. Utamaro portrayed courtesans, geisha, and ordinary women, with a particular focus on those from the Yoshiwara pleasure district. His works highlight the elaborate fashions of the period, including diaphanous fabrics and layered garments.

Kitagawa Utamaro

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Image: Newberry Library

Newberry Library · Hanson Gallery

Collecting Stories: New Acquisitions at the Newberry

Sep 10 to Dec 30

Free

Collecting Stories offers a look into the Newberry's collection-building process. This exhibition showcases recent acquisitions alongside existing items to demonstrate how new acquisitions enhance the library's holdings. It highlights how the library's collection expansion allows for a broader range of narratives to be told. The juxtaposition of new and old items creates a dynamic that reflects the evolving and increasingly diverse nature of the collection. This evolution generates new stories over time. The exhibition explores how these new acquisitions add depth to the Newberry's core collecting areas. These areas include American History and Culture, American Indian and Indigenous Studies

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Image: Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center · Skyscraper Gallery

Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem

Jun 11 to Jan 3, 2027

Flyway City: Architecture for a Flourishing Ecosystem is an exhibition designed and co-curated by Studio Gang in collaboration with the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). It aims to inspire positive change by making cities safer and more welcoming for birds and diverse wildlife. The exhibition reveals how people can take action to create healthier urban habitats and save birds from colliding with building glass, a problem that kills over a billion birds annually in the United States. Studio Gang, an architecture and urban design practice founded in Chicago and led by Jeanne Gang, presents architectural models and mock-ups, original illustrations, photography, building materials, and interact

Studio Gang

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Galleries 182–184

Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism

Sep 6 to Jan 3, 2027

$7

This exhibition, "Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism," focuses on the pivotal period in the artist's career following her involvement with the Impressionist movement. It examines her innovative paintings, pastels, and prints created in the late 1880s through the early 1900s. The exhibition highlights Cassatt's exploration of themes such as mothers and children, her development of complex color prints, and her ambitious mural commission for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It aims to shift the focus from her Impressionist contributions to her later modernist aesthetics and breakthroughs. The show features over 75 works, including paintings and works on paper, and touches upon

Mary Cassatt

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Image: Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center · Usher Lambe Gallery

Chicago's Living Habitat

Jun 11 to Jan 15, 2027

This exhibition explores the vital landscapes of the Chicago region and their crucial role in sustaining life and shaping the future. It delves into the history of decisions that have determined what natural areas have been protected, what has been lost, and what is currently being restored and created. Visitors will gain an understanding of the interconnectedness between human choices and the health of these ecosystems. The exhibition highlights that only a small fraction of the region's natural areas remain protected, emphasizing the growing importance of future investments and land stewardship. It is presented in partnership with Openlands and Studio Gang, drawing a connection between urb

Openlands · Studio Gang

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 289

Jill Mulleady: The Passenger

Sep 19 to Jan 18, 2027

Free

Jill Mulleady: The Passenger is the first major museum solo show for the artist Jill Mulleady. The exhibition features approximately 20 paintings created by Mulleady, who breathes new life into unseen histories through her art. Her memorable images draw from art-historical, cinematic, and literary sources, often haunting viewers long after they are encountered. Mulleady employs various techniques, including staining and incorporating materials like copper, to achieve surfaces that are fragile, luminous, and possess a visual depth that belies their thinness. She balances transparency and opacity, creating works that can be looked at and sometimes seen through. The artist utilizes a range of s

Jill Mulleady

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 283

Abigail Lucien: Blood of the Earth

Jun 18 to Jan 25, 2027

Free

This exhibition features Haitian American artist Abigail Lucien and her exploration of the profound connections between iron, history, the material world, and human relationships. Lucien's artistic practice consistently centers on iron, a mineral originating from stellar explosions and fundamental to life on Earth. Iron is not only present in our blood but also ubiquitous in our surroundings, from everyday objects and technologies to the built environment. The exhibition delves into the narrative and social dimensions of iron, examining its presence in the Caribbean, where it adorns buildings with ornate gates, and in Africa, where the forge is a sacred site of creation. Lucien's sculptural

Abigail Lucien

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Galleries 57–59

Embroidered Traditions from Morocco to Afghanistan

May 2 to Jan 25, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the rich artistic and cultural traditions of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA), showcasing embroidery as more than mere decoration. It highlights how artists in this region have historically used and continue to use ancient embellishment techniques to express identity, status, and belief systems. The display emphasizes that garments and household items are adorned with valuable materials, serving as wearable wealth and incorporating symbolic motifs. These adornments often include coins, thread, beads, amulets, ornaments, and jewelry, reflecting deep cultural significance. The exhibition spans a vast geographical area from Morocco and Algeria in the west to Afgh

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Image: Smart Museum of Art

Smart Museum of Art · Elisabeth and William M. Landes Gallery, and the Richard and Mary L. Gray Gallery

teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity

Sep 22 to Feb 21, 2027

Free

The Smart Museum of Art presents "teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity," the first exhibition of the renowned Tokyo-based art collective teamLab in the Midwest. This exhibition traces the collective's artistic trajectory over the past twenty-five years, showcasing iconic artworks alongside new pieces created specifically for this show. teamLab is celebrated for its immersive digital art installations that delve into themes of perception, consciousness, and the relationship between the self and the world. Their work often draws inspiration from historical East Asian art's approaches to perspective. The collective, founded in 2001 by Toshiyuki Inoko, comprises a diverse group of a

teamLab

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Image: Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center · Orientation Space

Currents: 60 Years of CAC

Apr 13 to Mar 1, 2027

This exhibition celebrates the 60-year history of the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC). It explores how the CAC has influenced Chicago's past, present, and future through its dedication to innovation, advocacy, and design. The exhibition highlights the CAC's origins, stemming from a group of passionate Chicagoans who fought to preserve a historic building and subsequently aimed to share their love for architecture with the public. Visitors will discover the CAC's proactive approach to addressing urban challenges, such as the loss of historic structures during renewal projects and issues of disinvestment. The exhibition showcases the enduring legacy the CAC has created and continues to build

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Bluhm Family Terrace

Tony Cokes: On Boredom

Oct 3 to Mar 14, 2027

Free

Tony Cokes is an artist who utilizes appropriated text from popular music, mass media, and theoretical writings. He remixes these sources into various media, including video, signs, lightboxes, and billboards. His work is characterized by vibrant colors and is often set to music, aiming to subvert the language that shapes contemporary life and culture to reveal new meanings and sensations. This exhibition marks Cokes's first public outdoor presentation in Chicago. It features a two-part installation on the Art Institute's Bluhm Family Terrace. One part transforms the terrace windows facing Millennium Park into a billboard, displaying the phrase “Let yourself be free,” taken from Aretha Frank

Tony Cokes

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Driehaus Museum

Selections From the M. Christine Schwartz Gift

Sep 2 to Mar 21, 2027

This exhibition showcases significant trends in Chicago's fine arts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on academic naturalism and impressionism. The works are drawn from the M. Christine Schwartz Collection, gifted to the Driehaus Museum to enhance public access to Chicago's artistic legacy. The collection complements the museum's existing focus on art, architecture, and design from this pivotal period. Visitors can expect to see a range of pieces that exemplify the artistic movements prevalent in Chicago during that era. The exhibition highlights the importance of collectors like Schwartz in preserving and sharing cultural heritage. It offers a glimpse into the artistic d

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Image: Driehaus Museum

Driehaus Museum

Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History

Oct 9 to Apr 18, 2027

The Driehaus Museum presents "Emma Stebbins: Carving Out History," a touring exhibition dedicated to the significant nineteenth-century American sculptor Emma Stebbins. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at her groundbreaking career, showcasing her innovative marble and bronze sculptures created between 1857 and 1870 while she lived and worked in Rome. Stebbins's work features inventive interpretations of literary and biblical themes, alongside unique allegories of American industry. Notably, she was the first woman to receive a commission for a public sculpture from the City of New York, with her iconic Bethesda Fountain completed in 1863. Organized by the Heckscher Museum of Art,

Emma Stebbins

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Image: Smart Museum of Art

Smart Museum of Art · Robert and Joan Feitler Gallery, the Joel and Carole Bernstein Gallery, the Edward A. and Inge Maser Gallery, and the Janis Kanter and Thomas McCormick Gallery

How Do We Heal?

Sep 22 to Jul 11, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the profound connections between art and healing, posing critical questions about how individuals and societies have sought solace from past traumas and grief. It investigates the therapeutic potential of the artistic creation process and the capacity of objects to foster healing and protection. The exhibition addresses these timely themes as we collectively navigate the ongoing societal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, international conflicts, and the critical reckoning with racial injustices. "How Do We Heal?" adopts a broad perspective on healing from diverse challenges, examining the integral role of art through the Smart Museum's permanent collection. The exhib

Jo Sandman · Hollis Sigler

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Image: Smart Museum of Art

Smart Museum of Art · Eunice Ratner Reception Gallery

Nina Chanel Abney: Between Us

Sep 22 to Jul 11, 2027

Free

Nina Chanel Abney's "Between Us" is a large-scale mural commissioned by the Smart Museum of Art for its Threshold series. The artwork draws inspiration from familiar American imagery found in advertising, sports, cartoons, and news media. Abney transforms these elements using humor and accessibility to engage viewers before presenting more complex themes. The mural's visual language mimics childhood educational tools like diagrams and wall charts, but upon closer inspection, their apparent reassurances become unsettling. The work explores interconnected systems of degradation, extraction, labor, housing, capital, and political power, highlighting their uneven distribution of benefits and bur

Nina Chanel Abney

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 141–142

Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost

Jun 7, 2025 to Jan 3, 2028

Free

This exhibition features the monumental 21-panel painting "Paradise Lost" (2009–25) by Raqib Shaw, an artist of Kashmiri and Indian heritage based in London. The work, over 100 feet wide, is Shaw's most ambitious and personal project to date. It offers a fantastical meditation on identity, transformation, and the redemptive power of beauty, drawing deeply from the artist's early life in Kashmir, his experiences of political upheaval, and his subsequent relocation to London. Shaw's unique technique involves applying acrylic liner to create lines similar to stained glass leading, then using automobile enamel paints applied with syringes and manipulated with a porcupine quill. Glittering stones

Raqib Shaw

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Image: Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago · Gallery 186

Karimah Ashadu: Machine Boys

From Sep 11

Free

Karimah Ashadu's video installation "Machine Boys" delves into the informal economy of Lagos, Nigeria, focusing on "okadas," which are commercial motorcycles used as unofficial public transportation. The exhibition highlights the lives of okada drivers who continue to operate despite a ban implemented in 2022 due to concerns about rising crime rates and traffic violations. These drivers navigate a complex system involving government, police, and local harassment, all while striving to support their families. The film "Machine Boys" captures the precarious and dangerous nature of their daily work. Shot amidst the chaotic environment of motorcycles, with dust and engine noise, the video offers

Karimah Ashadu

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Coming soon 10

Image: Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center · The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 6400 S Kimbark Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Built on Belief: First Presbyterian Church

Oct 17 to Apr 16, 2027

This exhibition, a collaboration between the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and Arts at First, explores the connections between architecture, sacred space, and community on Chicago's South Side. It is part of the CAC's 'Built on Belief' initiative, which examines the relationships between architecture, the built environment, religion, spirituality, and sacred spaces. The project takes place at the historic First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, a soaring 1927 building. Three artists were invited to create works responding to the church's architecture, history, and community. Their installations are displayed across the church's grounds and sanctuary. The exhibition offers new perspectives

Bella Adekoya · Schetauna Powell · Eva Nwachukwu

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Image: Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago Architecture Center · Narrow Bridge Arts Club, 6028 S Champlain Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Built on Belief: Narrow Bridge Arts Club

Oct 17 to Jun 16, 2027

This exhibition is a collaboration between the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) and the Narrow Bridge Arts Club. It features artists and designers exploring the connections between architecture, sacred spaces, and community life on Chicago's South Side. The project is part of the CAC's "Built on Belief" initiative, which examines the relationships between architecture, the built environment, religion, spirituality, and sacred spaces. At the Narrow Bridge Arts Club, this initiative is presented through programs that are deeply rooted in the building's history and its function as a community gathering place in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood. The building, located at 6028 S. Champlain Ave., w

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Image: Newberry Library

Newberry Library · At the Newberry – Trienens Galleries

Impressive Textiles: Printing on Fabric

Dec 10 to Apr 3, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the historical and artistic significance of printing on fabric, spanning from the 15th century to the present day. It delves into the early use of fabric printing for devotional images, particularly those associated with religious relics like the Shroud of Turin and Veronica's Veil. These contact prints, often seen as a metaphor for printmaking, inspired numerous fabric impressions. The exhibition showcases stunning artworks, books, broadsides, and maps that were initially treated as unique luxury editions, distinct from paper-based prints. The use of fabrics, often imported and costly, elevated these items to a high status. It highlights the deliberate choices made

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Image: The Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society · Cobb Hall, 4th Floor

Tony Lewis: The Long and Short of It

Dec 12 to Feb 7, 2027

Free

This exhibition, Tony Lewis: The Long and Short of It, marks Tony Lewis's first solo museum presentation in Chicago. It serves as a comprehensive introduction to his artistic practice, focusing on his innovative use of shorthand notation as a catalyst for drawing. The show features a variety of works created over more than a decade, including monochrome graphite drawings, denser compositions incorporating colored pencil, and large-scale, labor-intensive wall works. New pieces are displayed alongside works dating back to 2013, highlighting consistent themes and evolving methods. Lewis employs Gregg shorthand, a stenographic system he learned, which translates speech into fluid strokes based o

Tony Lewis

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Block Museum of Art · Main Gallery

Pasados Presentes: Cultural Memory in the Americas

Feb 3, 2027 to Jun 6, 2027

Free

This exhibition, Pasados Presentes: Cultural Memory in the Americas, presents colonial paintings from the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation's Art of the Spanish Americas collection alongside contemporary works. These include sculpture, textiles, photography, painting, and mixed-media installations. The artists featured are from across the Americas and the Philippines. The exhibition explores how artists have utilized and adapted materials and artistic forms. These adaptations serve to transmit cultural memory and reinterpret inherited histories. The works also shape understandings of identity and place. The exhibition emphasizes that materials and media are inseparable from a work's meaning.

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Image: The Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society · Cobb Hall, 4th Floor

Miralda

Feb 27, 2027 to Apr 25, 2027

Free

Antoni Miralda is an artist who has dedicated over five decades to exploring how cultures are formed, blended, and consumed through the lens of food and its associated ceremonies. His practice spans sculpture, installation, performance, and participatory projects, transforming everyday eating rituals into extraordinary experiences. Miralda views meals as potential monuments, recipes as historical narratives, and even symbolic unions, like a wedding between the Statue of Liberty and Barcelona’s Columbus Monument, as reflections on the exchange between the Old and New Worlds. This exhibition showcases a selection of works from Miralda's extensive career. It places a particular emphasis on the

Antoni Miralda

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Image: Newberry Library

Newberry Library · Hanson Gallery

Metal, Paper, Ink: Early printing from Jikji to Gutenberg

Mar 11, 2027 to Jun 26, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the groundbreaking invention of printing with movable metal type, tracing its origins from Korea to Western Europe. It highlights the Jikji, a Korean Buddhist text printed in 1377, predating Gutenberg's famous Bible by 78 years. The exhibition showcases comparisons between early printed books from these two distinct cultures. Visitors will see how local materials and traditional craftsmanship were utilized to develop this innovative technology. The display focuses on the materials used in the creation of these early printed works. It demonstrates the independent development of printing technology in different parts of the world. The exhibition aims to educate audienc

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Block Museum of Art · Alsdorf Gallery

2027 Art Theory and Practice MFA Thesis Exhibition

May 7, 2027 to Jun 13, 2027

Free

This exhibition showcases the work of candidates in the Masters of Fine Arts program within Northwestern University's Department of Art Theory & Practice. Presented annually each spring, it serves as a significant early career milestone for these emerging artists. The exhibition provides a valuable preview of the future directions and innovations within the contemporary art world. Visitors can expect to see a diverse range of creative expressions from artists on the cusp of their professional journeys. The event highlights the culmination of their intensive graduate studies and their unique artistic visions. It is a platform for them to present their thesis work to the public and the art com

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Image: Newberry Library

Newberry Library · Trienens Galleries

Say It with Pictures: Photography, Black Chicago, and the Great Migration

Jun 10, 2027 to Sep 18, 2027

Free

This exhibition explores the vibrant world of Black-owned photography studios in Chicago between the 1890s and the 1940s. It highlights the crucial role these studios played in documenting the lives of African Americans during the Great Migration. The exhibition features the work of twelve distinct studios, showcasing their commercial images, portraits, and photographic journalism. Visitors will gain insight into the dynamic relationship between photographers and their clients. The circulation and impact of these images within the Black media landscape are also examined. The photographs on display offer a powerful visual narrative of identity, entrepreneurship, and the profound social change

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Block Museum of Art · Main Gallery

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: Multiple Offerings

Sep 8, 2027 to Mar 5, 2028

Free

This exhibition is the first retrospective in twenty-five years dedicated to the groundbreaking work of the artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha. Cha produced an expansive range of works across text-based media, video, and performance, including her posthumously published book, Dictée (1982). The artist’s interdisciplinary practice gave shape to the experimental art scenes in San Francisco, New York City, and beyond. After emigrating from South Korea to the United States, Cha studied art practice, comparative literature, and film at UC Berkeley. Keenly attuned to the active role that audiences play in the creation of meaning, she prioritized nonlinear narratives to allow for more open-ended forms of

Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

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