Experience the Art Institute anew.
Luminary offers a host of programs that provide you with unparalleled access to the Art Institute’s collection, exhibitions, and more—from special events with curators to behind-the-scenes visits and Luminary-exclusive tours.
View all upcoming Luminary programs.
For travel opportunities, please visit our Luminary Travel page.
Luminary Special Events
Photo by Jaclyn Simpson
Members of Luminary enjoy access to a robust calendar of exclusive events designed to deepen your understanding of the art in our collection and special exhibitions. Hear from curators, conservators, and artists at these events, organized just for Luminary, which include talks, panel discussions, celebrations, and more.
Explore Upcoming Special Events
Garden Party—Willem de Kooning Drawing
Friday, June 12, 6:00-8:30
Curator’s Choice—Self, Made: Fourteen Modern Artists from the Richard and Ellen Sandor Family Collection
Tuesday, September 15, 6:00-7:30
What to Expect
While each Luminary program is unique, all are designed to encourage thoughtful engagement, dialogue, and discovery. Members are invited to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage directly with museum experts.
Luminary events take many forms and include Close Looks—where guests can hear directly from curators in the galleries while enjoying light bites and a glass of wine—as well as Curator’s Choice events and Exhibition Celebrations, both of which feature passed hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and curator insights in a lively, social atmosphere. Programs take place at the Art Institute in galleries, lecture spaces, and other areas of the museum and may occur during or outside of public hours.
L. Connect
Paradise Lost artist Raqib Shaw joins Madhuvanti Ghose, Alsdorf Associate Curator of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art, for an L. Connect event in June 2025.
Open to Luminary Silver members and above, L. Connect experiences offer rare, behind-the-scenes access to parts of the Art Institute rarely seen by the public, fostering a deeper, more personal connection to the museum. These tailored, intimate programs are designed for small groups and include visits to conservation studios and collection storage. Participants enjoy up-close viewings of artworks and gain insight into the ways we collaboratively learn about and care for them from curators, conservators, art handlers, and other museum experts.
Check back soon for upcoming L. Connect events.
Recent events include:
- A visit to the Paintings Conservation studio, where Luminary examined Dutch and Flemish works with curators and conservators, who shared insights into recent discoveries and ongoing treatments
- A champagne toast with Paradise Lost artist Raqib Shaw for and an intimate discussion alongside his 100-foot masterpiece
What to Expect
L. Connect events offer intimate, small-group visits—with typically 20 or fewer participants—to conservation studios, collection storage, and other spaces visitors do not often encounter. These experiences foster meaningful exchange, hands-on engagement, open dialogue, and shared discovery.
LUMINARY TOURS
Members of Luminary receive regular invitations to exclusive, curator-led explorations of selected exhibitions—opportunities to engage intimately and deeply with groundbreaking works of art and leading art experts.
View all upcoming Luminary tours.
What to Expect
Luminary tours offer an unparalleled opportunity to view our exhibitions alongside museum experts. Over the course of approximately 60 minutes, members will gain behind-the-scenes insights into the works on view, the stories they tell, and the research that informs their placement and interpretation.
These tours are designed to be interactive, and every tour will be unique, highlighting different objects and stories. Participants are encouraged to share their observations, ask questions, and engage in discussion along the way.
All tours take place when the museum is closed to the public. Guests may witness a range of behind-the-scenes activities during their visit, including art handlers moving works between galleries and new installations taking shape.
Where to Meet
Detailed meeting instructions will be shared with you via email ahead of the tour date. These will include instructions for after-hours entry. Please plan to arrive promptly, as your tour will begin at the scheduled time.
Contact Us
Luminary programs and tours are open exclusively to Luminary members, and advance registration is required. Questions? We’re delighted to help you sign up for a tour, learn about a program or find out more about travel, please reach out to us at (312) 443-3735 or [email protected].
Questions? Please reach out to us at [email protected].
Accessibility
Elevators and seating are available throughout the galleries, and wheelchairs are available upon request. Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any accessibility needs. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
We look forward to seeing you on an upcoming Luminary tour and sharing the special moments of insight and discovery they offer.
