Prime Time At Museum Of Contemporary Art
Party with the cool kids at the Museum of Contemporary Arts Prime Time events. The after-hours series taps into the creative pulse of Chicago with an eclectic mix of live music, performance art, fashion shows, film screenings, and interactive programs that bring an electric energy to the museum. Check the museums event calendar for the next event.
Bonus: In the summer, the MCA Chicago hosts its free Tuesdays on the Terrace from 5:30 8 p.m. The evening performance series highlights artists from Chicagos internationally renowned jazz community. Plus, theres a full bar and food menu available. 220 E. Chicago Ave., Streeterville
Museum Of Contemporaryart Insider Tips
Wondering if you qualify for adiscounted admission price? Consider these options:
- Illinois residents should as before purchasing tickets as they may receive discounted or free admission on certain days of the week.
- Ask about discounts and free admission related to those serving with schools, military, police and fire department as well as veterans.
- Those with LINK cards may receive a significantly reduced admission price.
- Visitors ages 18 and under should inquire about reduced or free admission
- If you are planning on visiting more than 1 tourist attraction during your visit to Chicago, check out the Go Chicago Card and Explorer Pass, both include the MCA.
Getting To The Museumof Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue , ChicagoIL 60611
Driving
Head into the museum by Lake ShortDrive , Eisenhower Expressway ,or Kennedy Expressway . The museum operates a parking garage next tothe museum on Chicago Avenue, just west of Fairbanks Court. Parking discountsmay apply on weekdays with validation.
Public Transportation
MCA is just four blocks east ofthe Chicago Avenue stop on the CTA Red Line. Also, the #3 King Drive, #10 MSI,#66 Chicago Ave, and several Michigan Ave buses will get you there easily.
Biking
If you feel up to some exerciseand the weather is good, access bike racks inside the MCA garage on ChicagoAvenue. Or grab a Divvy bike share and dock it on the southwest side of theMCA.
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Popular Types Of Attractions In Chicago
Msi After Hours And Science Snoozeums At Museum Of Science And Industry

There is so much to see and do at Chicagos Museum of Science and Industry, you could spend all night exploring. And you can do just that at MSI After Hours, adults-only evenings that give you open access to all the museums interactive exhibits. Grab a cocktail and step onto a submarine, into a tornado, or deep inside a coal mine.
If youre looking for something to do with a crew of science-loving kids, the Museum of Science and Industry also hosts Science Snoozeums on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year. Kids age 6 to 12 will have a jam-packed night of activities, like watching a movie in the Giant Dome Theater, making their own science toys, completing a scavenger hunt, and sleeping nose to nose with a 727. 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Hyde Park
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Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago Highlights
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Take a tour of the magnificent Museum of Contemporary Art to be amazed by the fascinating world of modern art
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Enjoy the numerous exhibitions the museum has to offer, including She Mad Season One, Intricate, Chicago Works, and Nick Cave
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Admire Alexander Calder’s incredible creations at Intricate, whose poetic nature of art has inspired people to amazement
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Experience Gregory Bae’s paused art at Chicago Works to stave off the forces of ageing, decay, and isolation
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Behold the gorgeous selection of simple curves, forms, and grids used to create an art at the Interiors
Adler After Dark At Adler Planetarium
What better time to explore the countrys oldest planetarium than when the stars are out? The Adler Planetariums adults-only Adler After Dark series offers open access to exhibits, unlimited sky shows, and live entertainment every third Thursday of the month. When the weather is nice, you can peer into space at the Doane Observatory and enjoy cocktails and bites on the museums gorgeous terrace. The Adler is perched right on the lake, meaning youll get a stunning view of the skyline along with those night stars. 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., South Loop
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Join The Mca For Two Days Of Groundbreaking Performances By Chicago Artists
From an underground utopian dance party, to a cyberpunk rock opera, to a seven-hour Electric Slide marathon, join the MCA on September 15 and 16, 2022, for the debut of Chicago Performs: an annual celebration of performance highlighting the wealth of innovative work being made by Chicagoans today.
This two-day festival invites attendees to gather for three new performances by local artists live at the museum. Your ticket includes museum admission and access to related programs. Between performances, festival-goers can attend an engaging public conversation with the artists, stroll through the galleries , grab a drink and other refreshments at the MCAs , and then celebrate with the artists in a happy hour and concluding dance party.
With performances that span across genres and mediums, Chicago Performs supports artists who are entering a new phase of their practicewhether stepping onto a larger stage for the first time, exploring new directions, or expanding the scale of their projectsand offers the public an unprecedented chance to witness the citys groundbreaking performance artists in action
Chicago Performs is organized by Tara Aisha Willis, Curator, with Laura Paige Kyber, Curatorial Assistant.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
mcachicago.org |
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a contemporary artmuseum near Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The museum, which was established in 1967, is one of the world’s largest contemporary art venues. The museum’s collection is composed of thousands of objects of Post-World War IIvisual art. The museum is run gallery-style, with individually curated exhibitions throughout the year. Each exhibition may be composed of temporary loans, pieces from their permanent collection, or a combination of the two.
The museum has hosted several notable debut exhibitions including Frida Kahlo‘s first U.S. exhibition and Jeff Koons‘ first solo museum exhibition. Koons later presented an exhibit at the Museum that broke the museum’s attendance record. The current record for the most attended exhibition is the 2017 exhibition of Takashi Murakami work. The museums collection, which includes Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, and Alexander Calder, contains historical samples of 1940s1970s late surrealism, pop art, minimalism, and conceptual art notable holdings 1980s postmodernism as well as contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and related media. It also presents dance, theater, music, and multidisciplinary arts.
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Museum Of Contemporaryart Amenities
Some of the unique conveniencesand offerings the MCA has to offer include:
The museum restaurant, Marisol, isnamed after Venezuelan-American Artist who was a friend of Andy Warhol and starof the New York art scene in the 1960s and 70s. Menu offerings are inspired byher favorite dishes.
Featuring innovative flavors fromJason Hammel, a reputable Chicago chef, Marisol is surrounded by an immersiveart environment by British Artist, Christ Ofili. Guests and enjoy table servicewith a full bar and private dining space, or may enjoy a cup of coffee or lightsnacks at the counter or to take away.
Reservations are accepted forseating in the dining room.
Gift Shop
Unique and interesting pieces ofwearable art, books, dining ware, toys and pieces for the home are allavailable in the museum shop, inspired by artwork. On days when the museum isopen until 5pm, the museum store typically stays open until 6pm for additionalshopping.
Accommodations
The Museum of Contemporary Artbelieves that art should be accessible to every person. While they useadmission fees to support their exhibits and programs, they wont turn anyoneaway at the door. The MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy for those who cannotafford the full fees.
Accommodations for those withdisabilities may include:
When To Go To The Museum Ofcontemporary Art
Hours Jan-April:
Tues & Fri 10am-9pm Wed,Thurs, Sat, Sun 10am-5pm Closed Mondays except for certain holidays includingMartin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, and Memorial Day.
Hours May-Dec:
Tues & Fri 10am-9pm Mon, Wed,Thurs, Sat, Sun 10am-6pm. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
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Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago Overview
Activity Location: Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago , 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Operational Hours: 09:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Activity Duration: 2 Hours
About the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Chicago:
Enjoy seeing the countless beautiful modern works of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum offers a venue for the showcasing and testing of cutting-edge creations. The general audience can encounter the works and concepts of contemporary artists here while also learning about the historical, social, and cultural context of contemporary art. So gather your artistic friends and spend some fantastic time exploring the museum and appreciating the exhibits.
About the Activity:
How to Reach?
- Hire a cab and come via W Jackson Blvd and S DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to reach your destination within 8 minutes.
Visit the amazing Museum of Contemporary Art and admire the wonderful modern art exhibits.
Note:
- Children aged 19 and below can enter for free, Individuals aged 20 and above will be charged at an adult price.
How Long Does Mca Chicago Take

The Museum Of Contemporary Art ticket gets you full-day access to the museums exhibits, so you can be inside for as long as you want.
Most users spend two to three hours exploring the Museum Of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
Guests in a hurry can browse the museums highlights in an hour or so.
It is crucial to point out that visits to MCA can vary in length based on various factors, including which exhibitions are currently on display, what interests you, and how much time you spend with the artworks.
If you save the receipt and admission tab, you can exit and re-enter the museum anytime you want.
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Chicago Museums Open Late For After
Chicagos museums are packed with fascinating, immersive exhibits on every topic you can imagine and the fun doesnt have to stop when the sun goes down.
Many Chicago museums are open late for after-hour events. There are kid-friendly sleepovers, swanky cocktail parties, and outdoor concerts that keep these museums buzzing until late into the night. Weve rounded up some of our favorite after-dark museum events for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Bunking With Butterflies At Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
During Bunking with the Butterflies, youll get the chance to spend a night surrounded by nature at this multi-sensory museum. Families can take part in hands-on science activities, explore the mesmerizing butterfly haven, enjoy a snack and crafts, and more. Kids of all ages will love the nature-focused exhibits, like indoor treehouses and the animal house, which are even cooler with a flashlight in hand. For more information email . 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Lincoln Park
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Not To Miss At The Museumof Contemporary Art
Because the museum began as a non-collectingentity , works from thepermanent collection are not always on display. Instead, permanent collectionpieces are displayed in rotating exhibitions, which means you wont see thesame thing every time you go.
As a benefit to visitors who wantto do their homework ahead of time, every piece of art in the permanentcollection is logged in an online database. This means that guests can find outahead of time which works are currently on view and which ones might have towait until later.
Museum Of Contemporary Art Nearbyattractions
If you find yourself with extratime, check out these other places of interest within a five minute walk:
- 360 Chicagothis observatory on the 94thfloor of the John Hancock Building has a 1000 ft. high lookout deck
- Chicago Sports Museum
- Historic Water Tower with Chicago-focused artgallery inside
- Ditkas Restaurantupscale fare with iconicfootball memorabilia
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Jazzin At The Shedd And Asleep With The Fishes At Shedd Aquarium
Listen to live jazz while taking in the Chicago skyline at Jazzin at the Shedd. In the summer, Shedd Aquariums terrace offers some stunning views of the water and city, particularly once the Navy Pier fireworks start up. In the fall, the aquarium also hosts Shedd After Hours. This adults-only event includes live music, skyline views, and meet-and-greets with beluga whales and bluegills, stingrays, and sturgeons.
The whole family is welcome during the Shedds Asleep with the Fishes overnight stays. Kids and their parents will take part in animal and science activities, animal encounters, aquatic crafts, a scavenger hunt, and a Caribbean Reef feeding dive. Youre also free to explore any of the open exhibit spaces throughout the evening, before going to sleep surrounded by aquatic creatures. 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., South Loop
Chicago Museum Of Contemporary Art: General Admission Ticket
- Instant confirmation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Admission to the museum’s exhibitions
- Entry/Admission – Museum of Contemporary Art
- Special ticketed exhibits and ticketed or private events
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Admission to the museum’s exhibitions
- Entry/Admission – Museum of Contemporary Art
- Special ticketed exhibits and ticketed or private events
- Returns to original departure point
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Gear/equipment sanitised between use
- Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
- Gear/equipment sanitised between use
- Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Face masks provided for travellers
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Popular Restaurants In Chicago
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How To Reach Museum Of Contemporary Art

Museum Of Contemporary Art is located at 220 East Chicago Avenue, 60611, Chicago. Get Directions
Public transport is the best way to get to MCA.
It is located four blocks east of the Chicago Avenue stop on the CTA Red Line.
You can also take the #3 King Drive, #10 Museum of Science and Industry, and #66 Chicago Avenue buses, as well as several Michigan Avenue bus routes.
If you plan to drive to the museum, you must know that the parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue, just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum.
Parking rates
- Less than 30 minutes: $10
- 30 minutes to 1 hour: $22
- 1 to 2 hours: $32
- 2 to 3 hours: $37
- 3 to 12 hours: $41
- 12 to 24 hours: $47
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Dozin With Dinos At Field Museum Of Natural History
Science is even more fun in your pajamas. Field Museum is a fascinating place to be at any time of day, but kids will get an extra special experience when they come to Dozin with the Dinos. Theyll stay up late with museum scientists, do hands-on activities, and explore some of the museums most famous exhibits with flashlights. The series of slumber parties takes place on select weekends throughout the year. 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, South Loop