The Silk Road and Beyond: Travel, Trade, and Transformation: The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes that extended across Asia, linking powerful civilizations such as Rome and China. Although it still evokes fantasies of lush desert oases and distant crossroad settlements teeming with multinational merchants and other travelers, the Silk Road has become in our time a metaphor for the harmonious exchange of culture among people from diverse societies, distant places, and different faiths. more...

Gallery Talks:

Follow a museum education lecturer on a spin through the museum or a focused talk on an artist, a style/movement, or titled topic. Join an introductory tour of the highlights of the Art Institute; a thematic talk about one specific area of the museum collection, such as Impressionism or Old Masters; or make connections between time periods, artists, or between the permanent collection and a special exhibition. Gallery talks are offered daily, at 12:00, 1:00, or 2:00 and run between 45 minutes and 1 hour.

Don't have an hour? Join a 30-minute Express Talk about one object and still have time for lunch. Express Talks, Wednesdays at 12:00 and Fridays at 2:00.

The museum provides signed interpretations for visitors with hearing impairments.

Find out information about student tours or group visits.