The Campaign for the Future of the Art Institute

Contact Mary Jane Drews, Vice President for Museum Development,
at (312) 499-4101.
buildingofthecentury@artic.edu

This campaign marks the most ambitious building and fund-raising endeavor in the history of the museum. The Art Institute and its renowned collection have expanded due to the civic vision and generosity of its donors. Not since the museum’s founding has there been such a clear need and focused opportunity to make a defining contribution both to the mission and identity of the Art Institute.

The Art Institute’s new building is also an integral part of the renaissance of the heart of the city. Along with Millennium Park, the new building represents the city’s most momentous civic undertaking since the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. On axis with Frank Gehry’s sculptural Pritzker Pavilion, the Art Institute’s new wing, an inspired design by Renzo Piano, will provide another masterpiece for Chicago’s architectural reputation.

The building will dramatically increase the amount of gallery space by unprecedented levels for the institution and give home to modern art, contemporary art, photography, and architecture. Other parts of the collection will become much more visible as curators will now have the opportunity to expand the number of works on display in the existing museum galleries. The new building will increase the size of the Art Institute’s campus by one-third.

From its beginning, the Art Institute has emphasized the importance of its educational mission but has not had the facilities equal to its commitment. While the education program is vibrant, the current space—which has been outgrown—is located farthest from the point most students start their museum experience. The new education center located on the first floor of the new north wing will accommodate approximately 1,500 students on a daily basis, a 30% increase. Additionally, the museum education staff will be able to serve the needs of youth, families, and adult learners with flexible classroom studios that will be available on weekends and evenings.

The project budget is $265 million to build this incredible new home. This total also includes monies required to upgrade important climate-control systems in the existing museum building. Additionally, $85 million in increased endowment funds will be raised to support operations of the new building, thus, the capital campaign goal is $350 million.