I became a member when I moved to the neighborhood, even though modern art never really spoke to me. What a wonderful surprise to discover the array of experiences offered.I attended a showing of the 1991 movie by African-American director, Julie Dash called Daughters of the Dust. I would have never guessed that the MCA would be the place where I would have one of my most valuable movie experiences.
Great museum that has four floors of modern art, installations, and collections. Theres a cute cafe on the basement as well.The tours are good and interactive so I would recommend that. Also great gift shop - Id be happy with anything from there as a present. Worth a stop. Not bad prices especially if youre a student.
Very disappointed with the art here. The top two floors were extremely limited and I found myself more interested in the plaques describing the art then the art itself. The themes they showcased were very relevant and interesting; it is a shame the art was not. Perhaps the meaning behind behind pieces was sacrificed for artistic quality. Not worth a visit for a city that boasts its art and design. I have seen better art in my painting 1 class undergraduate level then I did here.
If I am being completely honest, the art was not for me. It is a bit too abstract for a guy from a rural place. Since this is just my perspective, I still gave it 5 stars because the experience was great! The Covid precautions were perfectly adequate and the people staffing the place are super nice! The gift shop is a bit on the expensive side, but all in all, I loved it!
Best place to visit ever. If you have only one day in Chicago I strongly recommend to visit here. Many valuable arts pieces from all over the world.
I really loved walking around and seeing the artwork, the stairs were slightly terrifying to walk up due to the little holes in the bottoms, they were pretty and helped showcase the artwork as well as create a nice atmosphere but I liked taking the elevator and looking at the stairs better.
This museum truly is one of my favorite places in Chicago. A gem among museums and has art you wont find anywhere else in an open and welcoming environment that is thought provoking and entertaining.You wont be disappointed.
Always a must stop in Chicago. Its a relatively small art museum but with 100% temporary exhibition space, its always different, always interesting. Well located for your tourist itinerary, with a great two-storey gift shop that has lots of actually practical housewares in addition to 1000 design books you desperately want but will never actually read. Excellent staircase game.
A must visit museum if you in Chicago. Modern and interesting exhibits. I highly recommend
Love all the art there and the fact its for purchase! Would highly recommend anyone stop by in the area or after the museum
Exhibits change pretty often... keeps it interesting. If I was a tourist outside Chicago Ill definitely COME! its free on Tuesday for Illinois residents so thats pretty neat
Im not a fan of contemporary arts at all, however I can appreciate the artist perspective through arts. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is worth visiting is a great venue. Wonderful time looking at the Seeing Chicago exhibits. The grand staircase with the webbing was very interesting.
Its a awesome place to go. All of the art looks so cool and awesome.
Absolutely stunning museum of contemporary art that rivals any modern art museum anywhere in the world. As someone who loves art that is forward thinking and challenges the de facto boundaries set by the past, this place meets and far exceeds expectations. Featuring the works of many well-known artists and many more less known artists, a large diversity in pieces from size to medium is incorporated. The exhibition seems small at first glance but to truly appreciate all of the works inside, the space is deceptively large and can take quite some time to explore every work to its fullest extent. Many pieces are quite tall so are housed in the main exhibition space which contains a vaulted ceiling that seemingly goes on forever. Its a lovely space to behold and the free space located on the first floor at the opposite end of the main entrance is truly a beautiful sight to behold. Centrally located with friendly staff and inexpensive entry tickets, come check this place out!
Was there on a Friday afternoon and felt very safe. It was not crowded and the staff were very conscious of covid protocol. Felt very safe.
It was an extremely disappointing experience almost to the point of a scam. The photos they have on their google listing must be old. There was hardly anything to look at and it wasn’t interesting or impactful. Admittedly I’m not from Chicago so maybe it has been better in the past but it was not worth the cost of admission. Don’t waist your money or time on this ripoff of an experience!
One of my favorite places in Chicago. Love seeing the various forms of expression.
Some really great pieces on display here. But it seemed like a number of galleries where closed for renovations.
Love their galleries. They host great events and live music. Would recommend their summer outdoor music events.
My experience at this art museum was unforgettable It was one of my ‘must visit’ places while traveling Chicago, and I love every single part of my experience at MCA. I even like the design of their tickets and typography they use for the museum! The installation art piece with flowing lights inspires me a lot
I really have nothing bad to say about this museum. The exhibits are chic and modern, and there is plenty to see and do, enough to fill up an afternoon. I dont frequent this museum as much as other museums in the Chicago area, but that doesnt mean that it is a bad place. It is clean, the prices are reasonable, and the art is quality.
Great gallery friendly staff. Parking was more than the museum admission..LOLBut there are a lot of parking garages in the mag mile area to choose from on SpotHero.
This was...by far...one of the best, no, THE best contemporary arts museum I’ve ever been to. The artists, the pieces, the space itself are all amazing! If anyone has an interest in art this is a MUST STOP!
Nice collection, well presented. Nice restaurant, snack bar. Outside display was good. Too hot, I was drenched, more water coolers please, or turn down the heat. Limited gift store. I really enjoyed the variety and quality of the artwork. Movement through the museum was easy.
Chicago is crazy to get around, especially when we went - the weekend before Black Friday. However, this is a really creative museum and a lot of fun.
I took my brother on vacation to Chicago the summer before he went into the architecture program as school. This museum was beautiful and we very much enjoyed it. We loved the architecture of the city. Ive been there twice and have never left disappointed. When you compare it to other museums, they dont even hold a candle to this one. This museum is just so rich and dense with exhibits and information. We will definitely be back before he graduates!
Beautiful artwork and a very accessible set-up. I especially loved the interactive yarn sculpture -- its in the center of the stairs and allows you to climb in after you take your shoes off. They also had a designated quiet room for meditation and prayer, which I thought was touching. The exhibits on black Americans experiences and history was extremely eye-opening and impactful. Not only was the entire place beautiful, it was deeply moving and resonated with its viewers. Its something Ill remember for a long time. Left me speechless and unable to stop talking.
Amazing place. Being from Canada this is the first major contemporary museum I had ever seen. Super incredible! Wish I lived in chicago so I could visit more often.
Definitely rivals MOMA in new york. Always excellent guest exhibits!
Great place to check out especially if youre staying on Michigan Ave. Tucked just off the Magnificent Mile, there are often thought-provoking works here. For art lovers, its great to pair with the Art Institute for a packed day. Theres a restaurant called Marisol which I didnt get a chance to check out but looked great. If you have a Bank of America credit card, I recommend using their museums on us program the first weekend of each month to get free admission.
This is an incredible place to go! I go to a museum in every city I visit and I was extremely pleased when I left here. The staff was nice, the facility was clean and the exhibits where all very intriguing. Its next to a breakfast placed called Wildberry which I also recommend! They have the best chicken and waffles!
A phenomenal art gallery featuring gorgeous displays. Went here while the Virgil Abloh display was up and was absolutely blown away. The bottom floor features a great coffee shop which is definitely worth checking out. The store located inside the store is very well kept and features items related to the current exhibits. I would recommend this museum to anyone visiting Chicago!
The Museum Of Contemporary Art is a wonderful venue! Here at MDM, our team has had the pleasure of working together. This space is unique and sophisticated with amazing views of the city and city life. Their accommodations are perfect for any wedding or event you have in mind. The venue staff does not hesitate to bring customer service and kindness to the table. Kristi Widgery is wonderful to work with, and we always appreciate her professionalism and dedication to success on events we partner on! Great work, team!
Georgia Coat Check so helpful thanks
I like its show and exhibition so much!!! Even better than the New York museums in my eyes. Especially the Virgil Abhol speech, it is really amazing.
Loved the fact that admission was free this month! Amazing art all around
Nice museum a little small in comparison to other museums in Chicago handful of exhibits but interesting to see.
Great collection thats always changing and with famous works of art (Van Goughs work was present when I went). Can easily spend a whole day walking around to see everything.
It was interesting but there were a lot of exhibits that were closed or being put up. It ended up being a pretty short trip. Their store had lots of cool things and the jewelry looked nice.
Very eclectic and interesting if you are into contemporary art. Must visit if you are in the area or into museums.I believe they have rotating exhibitions, so there always something new to see.Plus, you get in free for first week of every month if you’re a Bank of America customer.
Museum is quite Ok, not too crazy. Only 3 floors and fast to go through.We had a great service, they have a free coat check and this is 100% accessible.
One of the best contemporary art museums in the country. The summer exhibitions are always top notch. The collections are always beautifully curated and well organized. Marisol is also a great spot to eat after visiting inside the museum. 5 stars.
Interesting museum. Unlike the other galleries or museums, this place is all post WWII. Most of the exhibitions were photography with occasional sculptures and film. The whole thing took about an hour to walk through. They did have one of the best art gift shops of all those in town.
I liked the exhibitions. They were original and diversified. Most of them had a message, a meaning behind to inform about an opinion or an injustice in the world. Always worth reading them explanations tags. The museum is rather small compared to the Art Institute of Chicago but they also charge half the price. Which is very reasonable.
Always such a joy to come here. Exhibits are well thought out, beautifully displayed, and in constant rotation.The ability to view the whole museum in one day is a huge benefit. It is one if my favorite Chicago museums.
Delicious Small plates or full meals. Excellemt specialty & creative plates to share or enjoy individually. Excellent wine selections and outstanding, professional, pleasant, knowledgeable servers.
Thank you for giving me a great mood and harmony. Its a great museum!
I was there installing this shelving unit during off hours, but every employee that walked by from office personnel to maintenance personnel, would stop by to ask if there was anything we needed. Absolutely awesome staff!
My husband and I visited the museum while in Chicago for the weekend. It was one of our favorite parts of our trip! We really enjoyed the set up, the exhibits, as well as the store. Definitely a great experience. The museum staff was helpful and I really appreciated the free coat check!
Great learning experience for kids. Nice art gallery. Overall, time will spent.
This is one of the great art musems of the world. If you are a fan of Marc Chagall, the museum features stunning stain glass windows he created for the museum. Well worth seeing in the afternoon when the sun is shining through. On your way to see the windows, make sure you look at the Greek and Etruscan art. Amazing! The modern wing has some interesting things in it too. I love this museum and could easily spend a day here. The food here is also quite good. I love the museum store too.
Big place with a variety of good contemporary works, definitely worth it if you like modern art.
The museum is easy to get to though we were a bit surprised that you had to pay $15 to get in, most museums in Europe are free to enter. Some of the displays are very good though some are absolutely rubbish, but thats just my point of view. Either way, the displays do get you thinking and the staff are really helpful. Worth a visit on a wet day.
The variety of different styles of Art at theMCA show the museum commitment.Great place for lunch and seeing cutting edge artists!
Some exhibits are more interesting than others. Definitely worth a visit. Multiple events each month. Drinks and light snacks available. Free for Illinois residents on Tuesday. Easy accessible via CTA.
It’s a great museum for those who enjoy contemporary art, located at the heart of downtown Chicago. The admission fee is pricey thought ($25 for adults and $19 for students).If you’re a tourist, it’s worth the visit if you’re spending a least 3-4 days in the city.
Seasonal shows- all worth coming to see. Their suggested pricing is really nice but you must insist on the price you can pay.
Must see if like artThe Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a contemporary art museum near Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The museum, which was established in 1967, is one of the worlds largest contemporary art venues. Wikipedia
As a previous member, I frequented the collections and this trip I was very disappointed in that the main Virgil Abloh exhibit ran out of tickets at 4 pm on a Saturday evening. Save for the outdoor/indoor garden this would have been a 2 star trip.
Its Contemporary Art... and I love it. I prefer visiting when theres a special exhibit like Murakami, or for this instance, Virgil Abloh. Tuesdays are the best days for an Illinois residents to visit as its free!
Visited on a Tuesday afternoon, the museum is bustling with visitors. I saw artists that I was not previously acquainted with on my visit and it was interesting to eavesdrop on a featured young artist explaining his installation to a group. Its very affordable ($15) and you get an $8 ticket if you are a teacher! Its not large and you can see all the exhibits in about 2 hours.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues and best for children to learn. If you love contemporary art you must visit this place especially during school hours. The permanent exhibition is challenging yet accessible and worth it. There’s a great cafe to chill and the front steps are a great place to rest if you need a great. It’s located downtown near Water Tower Place for shopping.
Smaller than I expected but really well put together collection. Awesome spaces to appreciate the pieces
It is a nice modern art meseum, I like it. I have been staying Chicago area for the last 25 years but the first time visitor to this museum. Since it is not in central downtown I took subwaw purple line and red line to here. I like some arts there I can understand. The carpet art ts one of them.
Rarely I see an art museum open late. The facility is welcoming, clean, well secured. Its contemporary art for sure, and theres a restaurant downstairs
Went here to see the Virgil exhibit. Beautiful museum
Not a huge dan of these particular exhibits or the way they were on display, but the venue is excellent. Liked a few of the pieces and the video displays, but the artists were a very strange mix.
Great facilities and really spacious design.A lot of unique exhibitions and even talks with the artists.The museum is well designed and with a good flow, but I had an issue with the way different pieces by different artists were all clustered together, example shown in the picture of 2golden prayer statues, in front of a red backdrop, which isnt a backdrop but an entirely different piece.Its confusing and I feel that it hurts the individual pieces and concepts.
One of the best museums in Chicago, art is updated constantly and free nights are available to Illinois residents.
Probably one of the best museums I have been to on the travels. It’s easy to navigate and had a wide range of work to explore. Also it’s right downtown to you can take a walk after a day there at the museum.
I love making pilgrimages here. Enjoy the art and the wonderful architecture.
As is common with the institutions of Chicagos galleria it rarely disappoints, both in cost and in quality. I would usually praise it to its sister in new york, and thats not just local pride. The collections are often exquisite and the building itself carries a heavy weight of dignity and majesty. If you appreciate the arts and you have any nearness to it, its worth the detour to see every time.
I have a mixed experience of contemporary art, but I decided to try it. We had guest passes from a friend, so the entrance was free. Perhaps the most interesting part of the museum is the staircase.
We visit the MCA regularly. I love the different exhibits and programs. We specially love attending during Family Days as it exposes children to not only the art exhibits, but also allows them to create art. With contemporary art, it is important to understand the artist and what the artist was trying to portray, as well as the period. I hear so many people say they don’t like contemporary art, and I say that exposure and understanding go a long way. Give it a chance. You will not be disappointed and your mind may open up in unimaginable ways.
A great afternoon at the museum.
I visit the museum on a regular basis in the summer for the Farmers Market. Its small, but has good food stalls and pastry booths. Good place for lunch sitting on the museum steps.
This was a good museum with 4 floors of art. Its definitely a must see if in neighborhood.
Arrived at 3pm (closes at 5pm)... a little worried we would run out of time, but for our contemporary art itch 2 hours was just fine!Lots of cool stuff for sure, and lots of stuff a true contemporary art fan might enjoy. Personally, I am not a big contemporary buff so found some of the exhibits to be a tad odd - lots and lots of reading to go through.Well worth a visit, and 5 stars for being an awesome museum.
The museum is nice, with a couple of floors to see. If youre bringing a big bag you need to register it (I think its free).
An enjoyable museum experience with rotating contemporary art exhibits. The museum itself is perfectly sized, allowing one to get through the galleries and shows within a couple of hours. The spiralling staircase is an architectural feature. The lower level hosts a cafe space for a meal or to grab a cup of coffee and pastry. Perfect Sunday afternoon.
This place is beautiful although i went during a new season when they were setting up new exhibits i still recommend it, its amazing and so beautiful!!
It is for sure one of the better contemporary art museums I’ve been to. Had a mixture of both thought provoking artwork and then straight garbage. But you can’t beat the price.
People watching from the steps is an art on its own.
You can walk through the whole thing in an hour. Really loved the copier on a pallet. *insert eye roll* Limited art and not worth the money. Im an art school grad... so no... its not that I just didnt get it.
Great museum! Sound curatorship and temporary exhibits. The architecture is also beautiful, notice the stairway connecting the floors with the Brazilian artpiece from Ernesto Neto integrating it.
The shop has more art than the museum itself.Seriously, dont waste your time and money and head straight to the museum shop.The shop is free and has a lot of contemporary art items.The exhibitions at the time of this review are boring and you need to read the description for them to make any sense.Exhibit vs shop pictures.
The best museum and gift shop.
Even if contemporary art is not your thing, this museum is still worth visiting to get some exposure to different ideas and perspectives through artists with social agendas. I was a little surprised by how few exhibits there were considering the massive size of the facility. I found some of the messages and imagery depressing, but thought provoking.
Really awesome place, they had a lot of interesting displays. The Virgil Abloh exhibit Figures Of Speech was incredible. I highly recommend
One of the best art museums in the country. Great location on the east side of the loop, with easy access, and next to the park. You can easily spend all day here. Food is available downstairs.
We really enjoyed this! Thought provoking exhibits were well displayed. I always like a good gift shop and this one qualifies— just make sure you find both floors. It’s not clearly marked. I would have been disappointed if I’d missed the lower floor!
Nice museum in DT!
Excellent museum!! Such personality! Beautiful and informative... and the decor of The Commons room is breathtaking! Affordable and accessible for any family!
Interesting museum and its completely free.
Its a smaller museum but definitely has a nice amount of art and variety. Beautiful exhibits! A must see when you visit Chicago.
I loved this museum, so much to look at! We visited during our recent visit to Chicago and werent disappointed. Will definitely be back!
Love the art AND the gift shop. A don’t miss for downtown Chicago visit! So many incredible pieces by amazing artists -
I’m not huge on contemporary art but my wife wanted to go so we went. I really like the fact that they have a free coat check, a few of the other museums charged for it. As far as the exhibits go, nothing quite blew me away but I think that most who are fans of contemporary art will be happy. They have a few Star Wars items as well which was a nice surprise! Overall good time.