The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute has grown substantially over the last century plus—in both our physical building and our exceptional collections—while always maintaining our ambition to share our artworks with as broad an audience as possible.