1000 Museums

For nearly 150 years, The Art Institute of Chicago and the School of The Art Institute of Chicago have worked together to bring creative expression to the public and students of all ages with a world-renowned art collection and exceptional arts education.

The Art Institute of Chicago is located in the center of downtown Chicago and was founded in 1879 as both a museum and school. Built on rubble from the 1871 Chicago fire, the museum housed a collection of plaster casts and had a visionary purpose: to acquire and exhibit art of all kinds and to conduct programs of education. With numerous expansions including The Modern Wing expansion in 2009, the collection now encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from cultures around the world. With access to over 45,000 works of art, The Art Institute has established itself as one of the largest museums in the country.