If you can’t find the answers to your questions here, read our FAQs for Members, Families, Teens, Educators, and the Library and Archives.
What are the Art Institute’s hours?
The museum is open to the public Monday 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., and Friday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.
We are closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
This summer (June 23–September 1, 2022), we are open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
Is the Museum Shop open?
The Museum Shop and Modern Shop are open during all member and public hours: Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., and Friday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Is the museum open on holidays?
The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It is open on all other holidays.
When are your free hours?
Admission was free for Illinois residents on weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays) November 29–December 17, 2021, and January 3–March 17, 2022. Check back for the announcement of future dates.
Learn more about reserving your free tickets online and other ongoing free access to the museum, including for the following groups:
- Kids under 14
- Chicago teens under 18
- Students who attend one of our University Partner schools
- LINK and WIC cardholders
- Illinois educators
- Active-duty military and their families (Armed Services Day–Labor Day)
How much does it cost to go to the Art Institute?
The cost of your general admission ticket depends on if you live in Chicago, someplace else in Illinois, or elsewhere, and if you’re a student or a senior. Please refer to our ticketing chart. And remember, admission is always free for members and children under 14.
Does a general admission ticket include access to special exhibitions?
A general admission ticket allows you to see all of the museum’s nonticketed special exhibitions. Occasionally exhibitions require an additional charge.
Does a general admission ticket allow reentry?
Yes, a general admission ticket is good for the full day for which it is issued. That means you can visit for a while, leave to grab a bite or take a stroll in Millennium Park, and then come back in for more art.
Do members need tickets?
No, members never need tickets and never have to wait in admission lines. Simply show your member card and photo ID to the ticket collectors.
Do I need to purchase tickets in advance of my visit?
Yes. For touchless entry, please purchase tickets in advance at sales.artic.edu.
What about free tickets? Can I get those online in advance?
To redeem some free ticket types—for Illinois educators, WIC/LINK cardholders, University Partners, Corporate Partners, members of the military and their families—visitors should visit the admission counter upon arrival.
Do I have to pay for tickets for my kids?
Admission for children under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 is always free. Please reserve free tickets in advance online.
When does the Art Institute offer free admission?
Admission was free for Illinois residents on weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays) November 29–December 17, 2021, and January 3–March 17, 2022. Check back for the announcement of future dates.
Learn more about reserving your free tickets online and other ongoing free access to the museum, including for the following groups:
- Kids under 14
- Chicago teens under 18
- Students who attend one of our University Partner schools
- LINK and WIC cardholders
- Illinois educators
- Active-duty military and their families (Armed Services Day–Labor Day)
What is happening with the lions? Why are they gone?
The museum’s beloved lions are being conserved. Just like other artworks in our collection, these bronze sculptures made in 1893 by Edward Kemeys require expert care to preserve them for generations to come. Both lions are undergoing conservation treatment off site. The treatment includes a thorough steam cleaning and the application of protective wax coating, which will return the lions to a darker, deeper green close, rather than the bright light green we have come to know. Both lions are scheduled to return home by the end of July.
Can I get to the museum on public transportation?
Yes, CTA buses, EL trains, and the Metra commuter rail are all great options to get you to the museum.
What’s the best route when driving?
Get driving directions from various city locations.
Where can I park?
There are many underground lots only a block away, including parking found via SpotHero. Members at the Member Plus and above levels receive a discount on parking.
Is there a bike-sharing program I could use?
Divvy is Chicago’s bike-sharing program, and several stations are located near the Art Institute. Learn more.
Does the museum have a gift shop?
Yes, the museum has two on-site stores, the Museum Shop, just inside the Michigan Avenue entrance, and the Modern Shop, just inside the Modern Wing entrance. Both shops are open during all member and public hours: Monday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., and Friday–Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. There is also an online store.
Is the café or restaurant open?
No, our dining offerings are currently closed, but there are many places to eat in the area, from inexpensive takeout spots to fine dining restaurants.
Do I need to be vaccinated to visit the museum?
No, in accordance with City of Chicago guidelines, proof of vaccination is no longer required to visit the museum.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
No, visitors are no longer required to wear masks during their visit. However, anyone who would like to continue to wear a mask is welcome to do so.
How many people will be at the museum when I’m there?
The museum is currently operating at 100% capacity in accordance with state and local guidelines.
Are there other restrictions to visiting?
Any visitors who are disrespectful or discourteous to other guests, staff, or volunteers—or engage in behaviors that are disruptive of others’ enjoyment of the museum, such as playing music or video, staging unauthorized performances, using sound amplification devices (excluding assistive-listening devices), blocking pathways, soliciting, leafleting, signature gathering, or picketing—may be asked to leave.
Please reference our member FAQs.
Is accessible parking available?
Accessible parking is located in several garages near the Art Institute. Please note that they no longer accept oversized vans.
Millennium Park Garage
Entrance at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street, with 6’ 8’ clearance in some sections and an elevator at the exit
East Monroe Street Garage
Entrance at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street, with 6’ 8” clearance and exit ramps at Monroe Street
Grant Park North Garage
Entrance at Michigan Avenue between Madison and Randolph, with 6’ 6” clearance for vans and an elevator at the exit
Do you have wheelchairs?
Yes, wheelchairs are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Are audio guides available?
Audio guide rental is temporarily unavailable. Our free downloadable app offers the same audio guide content direct to your phone. Download it via the App Store or Google Play, and just remember to bring your headphones.
Do you have a map of the museum?
View and download a floor plan here.
Do you welcome service animals?
Yes, service animals are welcome at the museum. For inquiries regarding emotional support animals, please contact access@artic.edu.
Can I check my coat and bag?
Yes, our checkrooms are currently open and free for all visitors. Bags and backpacks larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked, but we cannot accept food, beverages, flowers, or balloons.
What items are not allowed in the galleries?
- Bags, camera bags, and purses larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches
- Backpacks and backpack baby carriers
- Art materials other than pencils (including ink pens)
- Shopping bags
- Flowers and balloons
- Food and drinks other than water bottles
- Toys
- Tripods, flash attachments, video cameras, and “selfie sticks”
- Umbrellas (small umbrellas can be stowed in bags)
- Wrapped packages (gifts)
Can I bring a water bottle into the galleries?
Water bottles are allowed in the museum and can be filled at the water bottle–filling stations that have replaced all water fountains. Bottles must be stowed safely in a bag when visitors are in any space that houses art. If you do not have a bag, the museum will provide one.
Can I go on a tour?
Yes, highlights tours of the collection are offered every day the museum is open, 12:00–12:30. See our calendar for more details and all on-site and virtual events.
The museum’s free downloadable app also offers a variety of self-guided tours, and our online highlights provide another way of enjoying the collection.
Which exhibitions will be on view during my visit?
See a list of current and future exhibitions.
How will I know what artworks I can see during my visit?
The Art Institute is an active lending institution. For the most up-to-date information about gallery closures and significant works of art that may not be on view, please check our Collection Updates page.
Can I take pictures in the galleries?
We encourage you to take pictures of the collection and special exhibitions for personal use. Non-flash photography is permitted in all permanent galleries. Signs indicate the few works that are not allowed to be photographed due to a lender requirement.
Are there restrictions on the type of equipment that is permitted?
- Equipment must not exceed the size of a SLR camera designed for personal use.
- Flash, tripods, monopods, handheld microphones, selfie sticks, and other extraneous equipment are not allowed anywhere in the museum, its gardens, or public spaces.
- All imaging documentation must be for personal, nondistributional, noncommercial use only.
Are selfie sticks permitted in the galleries?
No, for the safety of the artwork and other patrons, selfie sticks are not allowed.
How do I arrange a photo shoot or filming at the museum?
Members of the media should contact our Department of Public Affairs at (312) 443-3363 or aic.publicaffairs@artic.edu to arrange shoots for still photography and film.
Is sketching allowed in the museum?
Sketching with pencils only is allowed in all galleries, including special exhibitions, provided there are no restrictions by lenders. Please check with a security officer in your gallery to confirm that sketching in that space is permitted; officers have the discretion to disallow sketching if the galleries are crowded or if sketching is creating a disturbance. If a work of art is not framed or protected by a vitrine or case, sketchers are asked to remain at least five feet away from the art. Paper and pads must be no larger than 13 x 17 inches. Easels, stools, or anything that interferes with movement in the gallery are not permitted.
Can I take my wedding or engagement photos at the museum?
Unobtrusive wedding and engagement photography in the museum’s galleries, gardens, and public spaces does not require a special permit or fee. To ensure the safety of our visitors and our works of art, the maximum number of participants, including the photographer and any assistants, may not exceed six visitors. The museum’s photography restrictions and general visitation guidelines (listed above) also apply.
How can I get a job at the Art Institute?
See a list of job opportunities available at the museum and the School of the Art Institute.
Do I have to have an art degree to get a job at the museum?
There are many different types of jobs at the museum—curatorial, teaching, marketing, accounting, security, human resources, facilities management, library sciences, and retail, just to name a few. Different positions require different skills and abilities, and for many positions, a major in art history or fine art is not required. To explore the variety of positions currently available at the Art Institute, please visit our employment page.
Can you tell me the value of my artwork?
The Art Institute is not permitted to conduct appraisals or authentications of artwork. Here is a list of a few organizations that do.
Can you give me information about an artist or a work of art?
The Ryerson and Burnham Libraries have numerous resources for conducting your art research.
I have a work of art that I want to sell/give to the Art Institute.
The Art Institute welcomes bequests and promised gifts of works of art. We ask that you notify the museum of your intentions beforehand so that the appropriate curatorial department can review and advise you as to whether your work is a good fit for the collection.
To have your donation considered, please provide the following information:
- Your name and address
- The title of the artwork and the artist’s name
- Provenance (history of ownership)
- Description of the size and condition
- Photographs of the artwork
This information may be emailed to artdonations@artic.edu.
Can I buy a print of a certain work of art?
The Museum Shop offers many posters and prints.
Can I hold a party at the Art Institute?
Currently we are not accepting external bookings for our various facilities.
Can we exchange links?
The Art Institute welcomes you to provide a link to its site, providing you adhere to the link-exchange policy.
I have a question that isn’t answered here. How can I contact the museum?
We’re happy to answer your questions by phone or email.
