Phone: (312) 443-3719
Fax: (312) 443-3066
erc@artic.edu

Hours (September 5, 2011–June 1, 2012)
Tuesday, Wednesday: 1:00–5:00
Thursday: 1:00–7:00
Saturday: 10:30–4:30

The Crown Educator Resource Center is available by appointment only during closed hours (except Sundays). Please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment.

The Crown Family Educator Resource Center, located 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, the Crown Resource Center is a reference library with art history and art-making resources, exhibition catalogues, gallery activities, interdisciplinary lesson plans, research files, teacher manuals, and videos/DVDs; many relate directly to the Art Institute's collection and a selection of items in the library is available for loan. Patrons may use the library and computer stations to conduct research or consult with museum staff to plan lessons.

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

Illinois Educator Admission
Free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is available to Illinois educators, including: pre-K–12 teachers, teaching artists working in schools, pre-service teachers, and home school parents. To receive free admission, eligible educators must visit the Crown Educator Resource Center and sign up for the Educator Network. Members of the Network are eligible to receive an Educator Annual Pass upon presenting valid school ID, pay stub, or a letter (on letterhead) verifying employment in an Illinois school. Only one pass is given to an educator per year; replacement passes are not available. Educator passes must be presented at the admissions desk upon each visit to the museum to obtain a ticket for entry into the galleries.

The Crown Resource Center is located in the Ryan Education Center, accessible from the museum's Modern Wing entrance. Educators who plan to come to the museum outside of the normal Crown Resource Center hours can call or e-mail ahead of time to schedule an appointment to sign up for the Educator Network (except Sundays).

Classroom Connect Seminar
Fee: $25 per person ($12 per preservice student)
Minimum 15 participants
3 CPDUs

Classroom Connect is the Art Institute's customized, three-hour professional development program for teacher groups. Starting with works of art, teachers increase their familiarity with inquiry-based teaching methods, including looking strategies, open-ended questioning, and object-based learning activities that can be conducted in both the museum and classroom. Teachers also learn about programs and resources available at the museum.

To schedule a Classroom Connect program, call (312) 857-7199.