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Mini-Tours

Looking for a fun introduction to the Art Institute or a new way to explore the collection?

Download our FREE Art Institute Tours app, available for Apple and Android devices, and enjoy 50 personalized tours of the collection that make use of the museum's free Wi-Fi and indoor positioning system to provide step-by-step directions from one artwork to the next.

Or, find 80 different themed mini-tours, available as PDFs, below.

Please note: Works featured in past mini-tours may be off view due to gallery renovations or regular rotations of the museum's collection. Works in the most recent mini-tour are currently on view. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Mini-Tour PDFs

Femmes Fatales
March, 2009

Seductive yet dangerous, beautiful yet deadly—the femme fatale has captured the artistic imagination from biblical times to the modern-day cinema. Discover the empowering strength behind their mysterious charm as this tour visits a few of these legendary ladies.

Framed
February, 2009

Get the inside scoop on some of the Art Institute’s fabulous frames, beautiful borders, and sumptuous surrounds as this tour highlights the edgy art that is anything but marginal.

What’s New in the New Year
January, 2009

The museum is undergoing a significant transformation—and what better time to celebrate what’s new than at the New Year? Use this guide to discover freshly renovated galleries, never exhibited masterpieces, and recently returned favorites.

All in the Family
December, 2008

Love them or loathe them, families and family get-togethers are simply a part of life, especially during the holiday season. So bring your brood, collect your kin, and follow this family-filled tour through the collection.

Red vs. Blue—Two Popular Hues
November, 2008

Long before red and blue became the emblematic colors of the two major U.S. political parties, the vivid hues had been used by artists throughout the world. Explore the fascinating sources and rich symbolism of these popular shades and cast your vote for the most compelling color.

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