Established in 1967, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world’s premier institutions celebrating the work of leading contemporary artists. Located just off Michigan Avenue near the historic Chicago Water Tower and the John Hancock Building, the 220,000-square-foot venue was designed by Berlin architect Josef Paul Klienhues and features three stories of galleries with ever-changing exhibits, a performance theater, a sculpture garden, an education center, and much more.
With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and inclusion, the MCA invites Chicagoans and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the wonder of art. Whether you’re an aficionado or visiting the museum for the first time, you’ll undoubtedly find plenty of inspiration, and there’s no time like the present to make the MCA a part of your holiday season and beyond.
Currently on view at the MCA
Faith Ringgold: American People
On November 18, the MCA opened its new exhibit Faith Ringgold: American People, a career-spanning retrospective of artist, author, educator, and organizer Faith Ringgold.
Born in New York in 1930, and now based in New Jersey, Ringgold is among the most influential figures of her generation. Her visual works include paintings, quilts, sculptures, and performance art, which are threaded together by her intersectional politics and her ability to poignantly center marginalized communities and overlooked narratives. American People, which runs through February 25, 2024, showcases many of her best known pieces and includes archival materials from her activist work from the 60s and 70s, exploring the Civil Rights era, radical feminism, and the struggle for social justice while shedding light on her artistic and political evolution.
“Faith Ringgold: American People is an overdue examination of an iconic artist whose work has been underseen in Chicago,” Manilow senior curator Jamillah James said. “Ringgold’s centering of social critique and personal and familial narrative in her work has been profoundly influential to later generations of artists, and we are thrilled to partner with the New Museum to bring this thought-provoking and timely exhibition to the MCA.”
Entre Horizontes: Art and Activism Between Chicago and Puerto Rico
Running through May 5, 2024, Entre Horizontes: Art and Activism Between Chicago and Puerto Rico explores the connectedness between Puerto Rico and Chicago through artistic genealogies and social justice movements. The exhibit, which features works by an intergenerational group of artists with ties to the city and the island, including Puerto Rican painters who use printmaking techniques as well as artists who use their craft to explore social and political issues.
Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, Marilyn and Larry Fields Curator with curatorial associate Iris Colburn, the exhibit centers on the concepts of place and identity as it touches on Chicago’s decades-long history of facilitating conversations on Puerto Rican self-determination and Latine issues, such as immigration and bilingual education. Along with artworks, the exhibit includes archival photographs and other materials that document the work of grassroots organizers and activists who advocated for anti-colonial resistance and the rights of underrepresented Latine communities from the 1960s through the present.
Now through April 7, 2024, come to the MCA for a 21-year survey of American painter Rebecca Morris. Born in Hawai’i and based in Los Angeles, Morris is widely known for her daring large-scale paintings made using various techniques including erasure, dripping, and spray painting on canvases laid flat on the floor. This exhibit—Morris’s first major museum survey since 2005, features 27 dynamic works that showcase her embrace of color and motif, and knack for boundary-pushing exploration
The exhibit is presented in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA), and curated by James (a former senior curator at ICA LA) with curatorial assistant Caroline Ellen Liou, and a presentation organized by James and assistant curator Jack Schneider.
Grab a bite and unwind
Marisol Restaurant & Bar is the MCA’s on-site dining establishment, welcoming visitors between exhibits or in search of a great meal in a chic and relaxing setting. Marisol’s innovative menus are overseen by Chicago chef Jason Hammel, a three-time James Beard award finalist for best chef in the Great Lakes and owner and executive chef of beloved Logan Square gathering place Lula Cafe. With immersive art by Chris Ofili, an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients, and fantastic service, Marisol offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience you won’t soon forget. Stop in Tuesdays through Sundays for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch—or come to happy hour from 5:00 to 6:30 PM.
In addition to table service at Marisol, the MCA invites guests to stop at the Counter for light bites, snacks, coffee, tea, and other refreshments from 10 AM to 7 PM on Tuesdays, and 10 AM to 4 PM Wednesday through Sunday.
Planning a special event or celebration? Contact Marisol to learn more about the private dining room.
Shop in style
Described by Conde Nast Traveller as “one of the best gift shops (ever)” the MCA Store has the perfect holiday or anytime gift for anyone on your list. With a focus on independent artists—including some of Chicago’s finest—its impeccable selection of merchandise celebrates fun, beauty, and curiosity, with jewelry, home goods, wearables, art books, games, prints, and much more. Like the museum itself, the store has something for every budget and age group. Along with its mix of chic, playful, and thought-provoking items for grown-ups, it features hundreds of colorful, imaginative toys, art kits, and interactive books to inspire and nurture young creative minds.
The MCA Store is open Tuesday from 10 AM to 9 PM, Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, or visit online anytime at mcachicagostore.org.
Attend our special events ongoing programs
MCA’s eclectic programming schedule offers a chance for Chicagoans to make one of the finest arts institutions in the city a part of their regular routine. Visit the MCA calendar for regular updates on film screenings, lectures, special events, and more. Many events are free to attend with purchase of museum entry.
The MCA’s Family Day arrives on the second Saturday of every month. This fun, free, and educational series provides an introduction to exciting art forms and diverse creators and encourages artistic exploration in an informal, interactive environment that appeals to kids and teens of all ages. ASL interpretation is provided.
On December 16, the MCA hosts Teen Creative Agency Zinefest. Now in its 12th year, the TCA is partnering with the Newberry Library for an afternoon of personal expression and independent publishing. Curated and produced by the teenage members of the TCA, the event highlights the valuable artwork, activism, and voices of young members of the community and beyond. It’s free for anyone 18 and under, so tell all your friends.
Plan your visit to MCA
Located at 220 E. Chicago Avenue, the MCA is accessible by CTA train and bus routes, Divvy bikes, and on-site paid parking is available. Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays, and daily for anyone 18 and under. Discounts are available for veterans, active military members and first responders, visitors with disabilities and their caretakers, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers.
As part of the Museums for All program, the MCA offers $3 tickets for up to six individuals for visitors who present a LINK card.
Stop by the MCA today, or visit mcachicago.org for more information.