Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

The MCA is an innovative and compelling center of contemporary art where the public can directly experience the work and ideas of living artists.

8 / 10
1193
ratings
  • Phone

    (312) 280-2660

  • Website

    mcachicago.org

  • Instagram

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    mcachicago

  • Facebook

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  • Type

    Art Museum

Address

220 E Chicago Ave (at Mies van der Rohe Way) Chicago , IL 60611 United States

Reservations Yes
Credit Cards Yes (incl. Discover & MasterCard)
Wi-Fi Free
Outdoor Seating Yes

Comments / 145


Keywords:

jazz music outdoor seating exhibits arts museums dancing sculpture gardens artsy architecture free admission tours scenic views First Fridays cute massage contemporary performances events bar city
Claire Watkiss

Was a very cool museum . The exhibits change frequently so there is always something cool to experience. We had a hard time finding this place. Admission prices are very reasonable. Staff friendly .

Chirag Patel

Surprisingly good place to let a 2 year old look at visuals. Audio dial # is great, short synopsis by the curater. Recommend getting a meal or snack on their outdoor patio . Great feel from the arch.

Lucille Fisher

I enjoy coming here on Tuesdays when it's lively with the market & free entrance to IL residents. Don't miss the shop, they have an interesting, constantly changing selection.

Monique Matheny

If you're attending a free lecture, COME EARLY. Went to the lecture series about Kanye West on Wednesday, December 15th and it was overflowing with people, and I was 45 minutes early lol!

AFAR Media

Curator-led tours , musicians on the patio , stroller tours and performance nail art are among their recent unique events . Check out their schedule and see what unexpected events you can be a part of. Read more

Jonathan Ferrera

This place has a great collection of exhibits . Given its location, it feels like it's hidden away. Looking for cheap parking nearby can be quite a challenge, though.

Daniel Phelps

A tad out of the way, but has cool exhibits if you like contemporary art . Some of the current exhibits are meant to be interactive, so just ask a museum worker if you're unsure what you can touch.

My Nguyen

Small, informative, and fun; has a lot of interesting works by litchenstein, Warhol, and local Chicagoans. Definitely worth a visit !

edisonv ????

Beautiful museum with contemporary abstract art . Nice bar/resto Marisol on the 1st floor.

Shawn Calhoun

Absolutely brilliant spaces and wonderful curation. Make time to go when you're in Chicago!!

Time Out Chicago

With musicians and dancers performing in the galleries , artists getting bigger shows, and young curators infusing fresh programming ideas, the MCA is doing the most to attract a new audience: you. -LW Read more

Maya Jimenez ????

The tickets are suggested donations so make sure you mention how much you want to pay when you're buying tickets!

Time Out Chicago

With musicians and dancers performing in the galleries , artists getting bigger shows, and young curators infusing fresh programming ideas, the MCA is doing the most to attract a new audience: you.

Melinda W

Their cafe is closed because of renovations now but local restaurants come in on Tuesdays. wonderful exhibits . Especially enjoyed Chris Bradley's exhibit this visit.

Amy Lebowsky

David Bowie Is exhibit was fantastic. My first visit here and I look forward to a return. Very well run.

HISTORY

One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time the Museum offers exhibitions of art created since 1945. It boasts a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.

Pete Ippel

A must see in downtown. The rotating exhibitions are fantastic. Every show I've seen at MCA has helped me better understand contemporary art .

Anamaria Hernandez

On Tuesdays it's open until 8pm and free for Illinois residents. So you should definitely include it in your Tuesday night plans.

UrbanLux

Every Tuesday's free!. On First Fridays , relax after a long work week. Specialty drinks , Wolfgang puck appetizers , live performances , the only iMac G5 digital dating bar , creation stations, and more.

Horace Wormely

They had a pretty cool exhibit on gender, influenced heavily by Frida Kahlo! I was too early for the David Bowie exhibition . All in all a cool museum .

Chicagoist

Some exhibits , like the current "Home Field Play" piece by Alberto Aguilar, are interactive and fun. Read more

Rebecca Anne

Top 2 floors had really eye opening exhibits that made you appreciate our place in the universe

Jackie Mann

Tuesday evenings are free for Illinois residents, and while it can get a little busy it's still totally worth it!

Noemí Peña

Love the building and the artist in residence floor.I would like other museum bet for more emerging artists .

David Weathersby

Absolutely amazing collection of art at this museum .

Maureen

Pay what you can afford admission, or check out a pass to visit this museum from Chicago Public Libraries . There's always something worth seeing here.

zfels

The museum shop might be the best place in Chicago to shop for gifts .

Harley Acres

Cool Magritte, Ernst, Sherman and Darger pieces but rather small and simple in terms of staging.

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

One of the most highly anticipated exhibitions of the fall season in the US, "David Bowie Is" opens Sep 23! Tickets and more information: http://bit.ly/BowieIs

CallingAllTypes

Party of the Cure, a Friends for the Cure event Tickets are $250 in advance and $275 at the door Saturday, September 15, 2012 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM 220 East Chicago Ave Chicago, IL 60611 United States

Serhii Lutsko

It's really worth to see but not sure you won't want to kill yourself after watching their movies

Cole Kennedy

There was one solid exhibit (Merce Cunningham's "Common Time") when I visited, but the collection is too small and the Art Institute is too good to warrant anything more than a "meh" for MCA.

Betony Kelly

Small but perfectly formed with some interesting collections. Good gift shop too.

Shannon Jeropke

Their exhibits are always changing.

Jasmine Davila

If you're a fan of the Busy Beaver Button Company, there's a dispenser of artist-designed buttons near coat check on the 2nd floor. Buttons cost $1 - get quarters from front desk.

Bruce

Be sure to see "Altered Refrigerators" in the skyscraper exhibit . A cityscape made of mirror-tiled fridges is not to be missed.

ToryBurch

If modern art is your thing, make some time for a walk through Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art .

Cusp25

Great museum that doesn’t overwhelm

Steven Parker

Very nice museum . Pop Art exhibition was excellent.

The Capital Grille

Reserve your table for the live jazz concerts every Tuesday, June 4–September 24 from 5:30 pm–8 pm.

Kristopher Weiss

Contemporary art is just silly. The Bowie exhibit was fantastic, though.

Connor Kasey

The outdoor Sculpture Gardens were perfect and relaxing on a temperate Autumn afternoon.

Julia Styles

Attend First Fridays-a cocktail party surrounded by new art . Buy your tickets online and save $5. http://mcachicago.org/programs/now/events/2011/e62

Karl Nennig

Nice selection of contemporary art .

Nauman Noor

Love the changing exhibits and always serves for a refreshing break in the hustle and bustle of chicago (by midwest standards) Read more

Bryce Jensen

Diverse array of shows. Free days are nice to soak in some culture.

T Callahan

Never had a bad time. Great spot to share with a friend from out of town .

Fabrice Lawson

Very nice and creative! Take time to contemplate the art

Dana Parker

They do a good job sorting out the stuff I could make in my garage from good art

Richard BERNHARD-HUGHES

Here at the Museum of Contemporary Art they have and exhibit of the insides of art , a look into the heart of art - the artist 's studio. On exhibit until May 30th. Read more

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7.5
Gift Store
MCA Museum Store

The MCA Store is no ordinary museum gift shop with its impressive collection of contemporary home furnishings, as well as unique gifts & artwork that appeals to shoppers of discerning taste & style. - Explore Chicago

7.9
Market
MCA Farmers Market

The produce is excellent and the flowers are amazing! - Mona ✨

8.7
Restaurant
Marisol

Everything was deli! But special mention to the pork belly and the quail! You won’t be disappointed - Cristina Dordas

9.5
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It's really nice here! Enough art to keep you busy for days! Very clean museum. Very nice and helpful staff too! - Adrianna Falaris

7.4
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Small and very unique, interesting exhibits. And its free!! - Roosevelt Collection

8.2
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Great food from all the local restaurants! Snail, medici, foodism, etc. Not many tables, so it can get crowded. Best grilled cheese sandwich ever - Daria

8.4
Mall
Water Tower Place

I've been going to Water Tower ever since I was young. I'm still mesmerized by the glass elevator. The Foodlife is a food court that accommodates all taste buds. The Water Tower is great fun for all. - Raveese Gladney

8.7
Piers
Navy Pier

Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Fun shops to check out. A bit touristy, but worth a trip if you're visiting Chicago. - Greg Wilcox

9.1
Gourmet
Eataly

Everything here is great! Slightly pricey. Get the Nutella crepe, calamari, prosciutto and mozzarella! - Allison Kaminski