Smart Museum of Art in Chicago

The Smart Museum of Art is a small venue promoting the exploration of social issues by way of cultural arts. The museum was opened in 1974 by Alfred and David Smart, who were the initial publishers of Esquire magazine.

Even if you’ve been to the museum before, it’s worth another visit since the traveling collections are constantly changing. Exhibits include more than 15,000 objects from as far back as 5,000 years. Admission is free, and people of all ages will enjoy the museum with its modern and powerful art, cultural exhibits, and hands-on activities.

Smart Museum of Art in Chicago - one of the highlights of 10 Best Museums & Galleries in Chicago (Read all about Chicago here)

Highlights of the Smart Museum of Art

Works in the Smart Museum of Art feature diversity, varying ideas, and powerful imagery. You’ll find sculptures, furniture, paintings, and other media forms from all over the world. Well-known artists on display include Henri Matisse, Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Diego Rivera, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

If you’re visiting when the weather is nice, you can view additional sculptures by Jene Highstein, Arnaldo Pomodoro, and Scott Burton in the garden. Temporary exhibits are changed often and have included displays such as “The Chicago Sound Show,” which features 9 Chicago artists’ works on campus, as well as “The Allure of Matter: Material Art From China.”

Good to know about the Smart Museum of Art

You can find the Smart Museum of Art located at the University of Chicago on South Greenwood Avenue, just off of East 56th Avenue. Be sure to check the event schedule, as there is a wide selection of art talks and hands-on family art activities available.

On the campus, you can also visit The Oriental Institute, featuring Middle Eastern art and antiques, or the Frederick C. Robie House, where you can tour a Frank Lloyd Wright prairie house. Nearby, you can also find Washington Park, where you can enjoy 366 acres of green space with a lagoon and pool as well as a children’s playground.

Location: 5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA

Phone: +1 773-702-0200

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