Phone: (312) 443-3719
Fax: (312) 606-0496
erc@artic.edu

Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:30–5:00
Thursday: 10:30–8:00*
Saturday: 10:00–5:00*

*Please note that evening and weekend hours are often staffed by volunteers and may be subject to change. Please call ahead to make sure the Crown Resource Center is open if you are planning a visit on Saturdays or Thursday evenings.

The Crown Family Educator Resource Center in the Ryan Education Center is a destination for teachers, librarians, parents, and educators of all kinds, supporting arts integration across school curricula and interactive museum learning. Twice the size of the former Teacher Resource Center, the new facilities house both larger workspaces and an expanded library of art and art history books, art curriculum materials, art-making ideas, exhibition catalogues, gallery activities, interdisciplinary lesson plans, periodicals, research files, teacher manuals, and videos; many relate directly to the Art Institute's collection. Patrons may take advantage of newly extended hours to browse the library and conduct research and lesson planning in the Crown Educator Resource Center; a selection of items in the library are also available for loan or purchase. The Crown Resource Center also features four computer stations for patron use to access online teaching resources related to the Art Institute's collection. In addition to research space, the Crown Resource Center hosts regular professional development programming for all educators.

Visit the Teacher Program calendar or sign up for our e-newsletter for more information about upcoming events.


Art Institute Educator Network and Educator Annual Pass
Join the Art Institute Educator Network when you visit the Crown Resource Center. Network members receive an Educator Annual Pass that grants the bearer unlimited free admission to the museum, borrowing privileges in the Crown Resource Center’s library, 10% discount in the Kids Shop, and admission to the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries until September 1, 2010. Please note that patrons interested in joining the network must show an ID or other document proving they are an educator (school ID, paycheck stub, etc.).

Classroom Connect
Fee: $20 per person ($10 per pre-service student)
Minimum 15 participants
3 CPDUs
Classroom Connect is the Art Institute's customized professional development program for teacher groups. This seminar is for groups interested in learning about the museum's resources for educators and practical applications for the classroom. The three-hour program includes an orientation, object-based learning activities, and roundtable discussion on arts integration strategies facilitated by a museum educator. Classroom Connect may be scheduled weekdays and Saturdays, preferably from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please schedule at least two months in advance. Call (312) 443-3719.