There are many more excellent cultural institutions in the city of Chicago. The seven provided with study guides for the City Colleges of Chicago community are not necessarily more educationally relevant or important than others in the city. The cultural institutions linked through this website and tied to the study guides are those identified by a spring 2012 survey of Harold Washington College (HWC) faculty as the seven most frequently used in their courses.
Scroll down for a list of Chicago Cultural Institutions with Free Days or Times as well as a list of Deals for Museums or Performances. Keep these in mind when constructing course syllabi and creating assignments, and share this information with students and friends.
Consider adapting one of the provided study guides to create one that best suits your personal interests or your objectives for the course and student learning outcomes. Many of the questions included on the seven provided study guides are relevant to almost any of the 30 other cultural institutions listed below.
Scroll down for a list of Chicago Cultural Institutions with Free Days or Times as well as a list of Deals for Museums or Performances. Keep these in mind when constructing course syllabi and creating assignments, and share this information with students and friends.
Consider adapting one of the provided study guides to create one that best suits your personal interests or your objectives for the course and student learning outcomes. Many of the questions included on the seven provided study guides are relevant to almost any of the 30 other cultural institutions listed below.
Additional Chicago Cultural Institutions with Free Days or Times
Some questions from the other Study Guides can be adapted for use at one or more of these cultural institutions.
The address and admission information provided here is subject to change at the discretion of the institution. Please follow the link and explore the website of any institution you plan to visit in advance to find the most up-to-date information so you can plan appropriately.
The Arts Club of Chicago: Free admission http://www.artsclubchicago.org 201 East Ontario St. Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago Architecture Foundation: free admission to galleries and exhibitions (not free for tours) http://www.architecture.org/ 224 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604
Chicago Public Art: http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/arts-culture-and-entertainment/chicago-public-art/
DePaul Art Museum: Free admission http://museums.depaul.edu/ 935 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
DuSable Museum of African American History: Free general admission for Illinois residents every Sunday http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
740 E. 56th Pl. Chicago, IL 60637
Glass Curtain Gallery, Columbia College Chicago: Free admission http://www.colum.edu/Student_Life/DEPS/glass-curtain-gallery/index.php 1104 S. Wabash Ave, first floor. Chicago, IL 60605
Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery: Free admission http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/exhibitions.html (in the Thompson Center): 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 2-100 Chicago, IL 60601
International Museum of Surgical Science: Free for visitors on Tuesdays https://www.imss.org/ 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60610
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum: Free admission http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/ 800 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607
John M. Flaxman Library, School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Free admission http://www.saic.edu/academics/librariesandspecialcollections/johnmflaxmanlibrary/ 37 S. Wabash Ave. (5th and 6th floors) Chicago, IL 60603 The Special Collections Reading Room and exhibition space is on the 5th floor. Though free and open to the public, visitors must show a photo ID at the security desk.
Loyola University Museum of Art: Free for all visitors every Tuesday (and always free to active military and their families) http://www.luc.edu/luma/ 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University: Free admission http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/index.html 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Money Museum, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Free admission http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/money_museum/index.cfm 230 S. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60604
Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago: Free admission http://www.mocp.org/ 600 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
National Veterans Art Museum: Free for all visitors on Memorial Day (and always free to active-duty military and dependents) http://www.nvam.org/index.php 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
Newberry Library: Free admission http://www.newberry.org/ 60 W. Walton St. Chicago, IL 60610
Oriental Institute Museum: Free admission http://oi.uchicago.edu/museum/ 1155 E. 58th St. Chicago, IL 60637
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Free general admission for Illinois residents every Thursday http://www.chias.org/ 2430 N. Cannon Dr. Chicago, IL 60614
Poetry Foundation: Free to public garden and exhibition gallery http://www.poetryfoundation.org/ 61 W. Superior St. Chicago, IL 60654
President's Gallery, HWC: Free admission http://www.ccc.edu/colleges/washington/events/pages/now-is-the-time.aspx 30 E. Lake St., #1105 Chicago, IL 60601
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago (contemporary art): Free admission http://www.renaissancesociety.org/site/ 5811 S. Ellis Ave. University of Chicago, Cobb Hall, 4th floor. Chicago, IL 60637
Smart Museum of Art (focus on Asian, European, Modern and Contemporary art and design): Free admission http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/ University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60637
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows: Free admission http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/smith_museum.html 600 E. Grand Ave, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611
Spertus Museum (Institute of Jewish Studies): Free admission http://www.spertus.edu/ 610 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605
Woman Made Gallery: Free admission http://www.womanmade.org/ 685 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642
Various gallery openings and related events throughout the city are regularly posted in http://chicagogallerynews.com/ and
http://www.chicagonow.com/art-talk-chicago/
The address and admission information provided here is subject to change at the discretion of the institution. Please follow the link and explore the website of any institution you plan to visit in advance to find the most up-to-date information so you can plan appropriately.
The Arts Club of Chicago: Free admission http://www.artsclubchicago.org 201 East Ontario St. Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago Architecture Foundation: free admission to galleries and exhibitions (not free for tours) http://www.architecture.org/ 224 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604
Chicago Public Art: http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/arts-culture-and-entertainment/chicago-public-art/
DePaul Art Museum: Free admission http://museums.depaul.edu/ 935 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60614
DuSable Museum of African American History: Free general admission for Illinois residents every Sunday http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
740 E. 56th Pl. Chicago, IL 60637
Glass Curtain Gallery, Columbia College Chicago: Free admission http://www.colum.edu/Student_Life/DEPS/glass-curtain-gallery/index.php 1104 S. Wabash Ave, first floor. Chicago, IL 60605
Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery: Free admission http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/chicago/exhibitions.html (in the Thompson Center): 100 W. Randolph St., Suite 2-100 Chicago, IL 60601
International Museum of Surgical Science: Free for visitors on Tuesdays https://www.imss.org/ 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60610
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum: Free admission http://www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/ 800 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607
John M. Flaxman Library, School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Free admission http://www.saic.edu/academics/librariesandspecialcollections/johnmflaxmanlibrary/ 37 S. Wabash Ave. (5th and 6th floors) Chicago, IL 60603 The Special Collections Reading Room and exhibition space is on the 5th floor. Though free and open to the public, visitors must show a photo ID at the security desk.
Loyola University Museum of Art: Free for all visitors every Tuesday (and always free to active military and their families) http://www.luc.edu/luma/ 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University: Free admission http://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/index.html 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Money Museum, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: Free admission http://www.chicagofed.org/webpages/education/money_museum/index.cfm 230 S. LaSalle St. Chicago, IL 60604
Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago: Free admission http://www.mocp.org/ 600 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
National Veterans Art Museum: Free for all visitors on Memorial Day (and always free to active-duty military and dependents) http://www.nvam.org/index.php 1801 S. Indiana Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
Newberry Library: Free admission http://www.newberry.org/ 60 W. Walton St. Chicago, IL 60610
Oriental Institute Museum: Free admission http://oi.uchicago.edu/museum/ 1155 E. 58th St. Chicago, IL 60637
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Free general admission for Illinois residents every Thursday http://www.chias.org/ 2430 N. Cannon Dr. Chicago, IL 60614
Poetry Foundation: Free to public garden and exhibition gallery http://www.poetryfoundation.org/ 61 W. Superior St. Chicago, IL 60654
President's Gallery, HWC: Free admission http://www.ccc.edu/colleges/washington/events/pages/now-is-the-time.aspx 30 E. Lake St., #1105 Chicago, IL 60601
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago (contemporary art): Free admission http://www.renaissancesociety.org/site/ 5811 S. Ellis Ave. University of Chicago, Cobb Hall, 4th floor. Chicago, IL 60637
Smart Museum of Art (focus on Asian, European, Modern and Contemporary art and design): Free admission http://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/ University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60637
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows: Free admission http://www.navypier.com/things2do/rides_attract/smith_museum.html 600 E. Grand Ave, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611
Spertus Museum (Institute of Jewish Studies): Free admission http://www.spertus.edu/ 610 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605
Woman Made Gallery: Free admission http://www.womanmade.org/ 685 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642
Various gallery openings and related events throughout the city are regularly posted in http://chicagogallerynews.com/ and
http://www.chicagonow.com/art-talk-chicago/
There is also a variety of other wonderful cultural resources in Chicago that charge admission, which can range from a few to twenty or more dollars. They are equally valuable resources, although they may be more difficult to use for class field trips and assignments.
- Chicago Museums, Galleries, and Exhibitions: http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/arts-culture-and-entertainment/museums-galleries-and-exhibitions/
Deals for Museums or Performances
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: 800 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
$20 for tickets to anyone under 35 http://www.chicagoshakes.com/cst20
Information about college student group performances: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/group_sales
Chicago Shakespeare Theater also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/education/teach_shakespeare
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604
$10 for student tickets to select performances http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/Students.aspx
Goodman Theatre: 170 N. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60601
$10 for student tickets to select performances http://www.goodmantheatre.org/tickets/Special-Discounts/
Harris Theater: 205 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601
Promos and deals: http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/promos-deals
$5 for "Eat to the Beat" tickets to select performances (dance and/or music) http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/events/2013-2014-season/etb--lunchpass
INTUIT: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art: 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642
$5/person (or $3/person for groups of 8 or more) http://www.art.org/
Field trip reservation form: http://www.art.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Field-Trip-Reservation-Form.pdf
INTUIT also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.art.org/education/resources-for-teachers/
Joffrey Ballet: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Chicago, IL 60605
Student Rush $15 tickets http://joffrey.org/tickets/student
Lyric Opera of Chicago: Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606
$20 NExT tickets to select performances for full-time college students https://www.lyricopera.org/next/index.aspx
Colleges can participate in the College Opera Circle program for $575 annually: http://www.lyricopera.org/education/college-students.aspx
Lyric Opera also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.lyricopera.org/education/teachers.aspx
Steppenwolf Theatre Company: 1650 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614
$15 student tickets http://www.steppenwolf.org/Plays-Events/Gifts-Discounts/Students.aspx
Steppenwolf Theatre also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.steppenwolf.org/Teach-Learn/For-Teachers.aspx
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: 800 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611
$20 for tickets to anyone under 35 http://www.chicagoshakes.com/cst20
Information about college student group performances: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/group_sales
Chicago Shakespeare Theater also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/education/teach_shakespeare
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60604
$10 for student tickets to select performances http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/Students.aspx
Goodman Theatre: 170 N. Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60601
$10 for student tickets to select performances http://www.goodmantheatre.org/tickets/Special-Discounts/
Harris Theater: 205 E. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601
Promos and deals: http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/promos-deals
$5 for "Eat to the Beat" tickets to select performances (dance and/or music) http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/events/2013-2014-season/etb--lunchpass
INTUIT: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art: 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642
$5/person (or $3/person for groups of 8 or more) http://www.art.org/
Field trip reservation form: http://www.art.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Field-Trip-Reservation-Form.pdf
INTUIT also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.art.org/education/resources-for-teachers/
Joffrey Ballet: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. Chicago, IL 60605
Student Rush $15 tickets http://joffrey.org/tickets/student
Lyric Opera of Chicago: Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606
$20 NExT tickets to select performances for full-time college students https://www.lyricopera.org/next/index.aspx
Colleges can participate in the College Opera Circle program for $575 annually: http://www.lyricopera.org/education/college-students.aspx
Lyric Opera also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.lyricopera.org/education/teachers.aspx
Steppenwolf Theatre Company: 1650 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614
$15 student tickets http://www.steppenwolf.org/Plays-Events/Gifts-Discounts/Students.aspx
Steppenwolf Theatre also offers these resources for teachers: http://www.steppenwolf.org/Teach-Learn/For-Teachers.aspx
This website can be expanded in the future to provide more study guides and connect CCC faculty, staff, and students to additional cultural institutions in Chicago, such as those listed above. Suggest your favorite sites or amazing temporary exhibits and corresponding assignments in the Forum Discussions.