ADJUSTMENTS IN HOURS OF OPERATION, FREE DAYS, AND ADMISSION AT THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

Newly Extended Museum Hours and Free Hours Throughout the Year
Eliminated Admission Fee for Children under 12

April 19, 2006

MEDIA CONTACT:                 
Erin Hogan
(312) 443-3664

The Art Institute of Chicago has announced plans to overhaul its hours of operation, free days, and suggested admission fee. The adjustments will go into effect June 3, 2006, and were approved by the Chicago Park District Board on April 19, 2006. All revisions are designed to make the museum more accessible to families and Chicagoans, particularly given all the activities during the summer in the Loop, on the lakefront, and in Millennium Park.

Summary of changes
Extend hours throughout the year on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Extend hours during the summer (June 3 through Labor Day) to 9:00 p.m. on
Thursday and Friday nights
After Labor Day, close galleries Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. and Fridays at 5:00
p.m.
Close New Year's Day

Extending the closing hours on weekdays by half an hour offers visitors two hours more per week in the galleries. The extended summer hours make the Art Institute more accessible to Chicagoans who find it difficult, because of work and school schedules, to visit the museum during the week. The extended summer hours also allow visitors to combine a trip to the Art Institute with any of the activities offered along the lakefront, in the Loop, and in Millennium Park. With these summer hours and the extended hours during the year, the Art Institute of Chicago will be able to participate more fully in the life of the Loop and will be more accessible to the audience it is our mission to serve: Chicagoans.

NEW ART INSTITUTE "FREE HOURS"

Currently:
Every Tuesday is a Ford Free Tuesday.

As of June 3, 2006:
Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will be Ford Free Evenings.
From June 3 through Labor Day, Thursday and Friday evenings after 5:00 p.m. will be Ford Free Evenings.
Every day from February 1 to February 21 admission will be free.

Summary of changes
Ford Free Tuesdays will be replaced by Ford Free Evenings Thursday AND
Friday evenings after 5:00 p.m. from June 3 to Labor Day
Ford Free Tuesdays will be replaced by Ford Free Evenings Thursdays
throughout the year (excepting summer hours) from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Admission will be free February 1 to February 21.

THE COMBINATION OF FREE LATE-NIGHT HOURS DURING THE SUMMER AND BEYOND, AND THE FREE DAYS OFFERED IN FEBRUARY, EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF FREE HOURS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF FREE HOURS CURRENTLY OFFERED.

Free evenings during the summer on Thursdays and Fridays until 9 p.m., and free evenings during the year on Thursdays until 8 p.m., allow the Art Institute to better fulfill its educational mission by offering, with no admission charge, exhibitions, programs, lectures, and gallery walks during hours accessible to a greater number of people, particularly Chicagoans. The extended evenings offer more "hours of opportunity" for families and working visitors, and, by making these evening hours (rather than "working" hours) free, the Art Institute hopes to provide more incentive for a wider constituency to visit the museum.

NEW MUSEUM ADMISSIONS POLICY

Currently:
Regular suggested admission: Adults, $12.00; children, students, and seniors, $7.00; children 5 and under free; members always free.

As of June 3, 2006:
Regular required admission: Adults, $12.00; children, students, and seniors, $7.00;
children under 12 free; members always free.

Summary of changes
Admission fee is now required and not suggested (NOT a fee increase)
Raise free threshold for children so children under 12 enter free

The Art Institute is one of the few remaining museums in the city of Chicago to not require an admission fee. This change brings the museum in line with its sister institutions such as the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. The $12 and $7 figures are NOT a fee increase. The research conducted by the Art Institute of Chicago demonstrates that this change from a suggested to a required admission fee will affect approximately 10% of total visitors. The vast majority of paying visitors to the Art Institute already pay the full admission.

Raising the free threshold for children represents the Art Institute's continued commitment to encouraging families to visit the museum. Recently ranked the #1 art museum in the country for kids by Child magazine, the Art Institute hopes the generous increase in the threshold age for children will provide even further incentive for families to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities the museum offers.