MCA
Photograph: Callie Lipkin Photography, Inc.

Review

Museum of Contemporary Art

5 out of 5 stars
  • Museums | Art and design
  • Streeterville
  • price 1 of 4
  • Recommended
Shannon Shreibak
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Time Out says

As one of the nation’s largest repositories of contemporary works, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) frequently hosts major touring exhibits featuring visionaries like Doris Salcedo, Simon Starling, and Daniel Clowes. Beyond the galleries, the MCA acts as a vibrant community hub, fostering dialogue and growth through its dedicated Community Partnerships and Engagement program. Visitors can engage with the museum through diverse public programming—from summer jazz on the terrace and a seasonal farmer’s market to curated film screenings.

The MCA has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for landmark exhibitions, most notably with its expansive Yoko Ono retrospective and a career-spanning showcase of internationally renowned Chicagoan Nick Cave. By constantly reorienting itself to the current cultural landscape, the museum highlights both international and local artists as they engage with an ever-evolving world.

The museum has also established itself as a premier culinary destination with its in-house restaurant, Marisol. Helmed by James Beard Award–winning chef Jason Hammel (of Lula Cafe) and surrounded by an immersive art installation by Chris Ofili, Marisol offers a full-service dining experience that is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate.

Details

Address
220 E Chicago Ave
Chicago
Cross street:
at Mies van der Rohe Way
Transport:
El stop: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 10, 26, 66.
Price:
$19 suggested donation for adults, seniors and students $10, visitors under 18 free. Tuesdays free for Illinois residents from 5pm–9pm.
Opening hours:
Tue 10am–9pm; Wed–Sun 10am–5pm
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What’s on

Dancing the Revolution

This first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago explores the visual, political and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art. Once grassroots scenes, both genres have become globally influential movements tied closely to sexual and political liberation. The show features works by more than 35 artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edra Soto, supakid and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
  • Exhibitions

Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers

“Rashid Johnson: A Poem for Deep Thinkers” is a major survey spanning the Chicago artist’s nearly three-decade career. Through photography, video, immersive painting and large-scale installation, the exhibition explores the fragility of the human psyche against the weight of historic forces. Centering freedom as his primary muse, Johnson draws inspiration from radical movements of the late 20th century, showcasing how individuals and communities resist established orders to carve out new paths through history.
  • Exhibitions
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