About
Located one block east of the historic Water Tower, the MCA champions the provocative side of contemporary art and culture. Our innovative exhibitions, performances, and programs will inspire you.

Founded in 1967 as a Kunsthalle, or noncollecting art gallery, the MCA is now one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to art since 1945. Since our inception, it has been our mission to exhibit new and experimental work artists in all media, paired with ambitious education programs. In 1974, the MCA expanded our mission to include collecting and preserving contemporary art for future generations with the inauguration of a permanent collection that has grown to include more than 2,000 works. After 29 years in a storefront on Ontario Street, the museum moved to our current location in 1996, giving our collection, exhibitions, and programming room to evolve to meet the needs of 21st-century art and audiences.

Vision and Mission
The MCA's mission is to bring artists and audiences together, presenting contemporary art and culture in ways that illuminate what it means to be a citizen of both Chicago and the world.

History
A street view photograph with people on the sidewalk looking at a building wrapped in fabric; cars are parked along the street in the foreground

In 1964, a group of collectors, art dealers, artists, art critics, and architects united with a shared belief that the city of Chicago deserved a contemporary art museum dedicated to exploring the new. The institution’s founders originally conceived of the museum as a Kunsthalle, or a noncollecting “art hall” that organized and hosted temporary exhibitions of new and experimental artists.

Building

Exhibitions

Faith Ringgold: American People
Through Feb 25, 2024
(more information)

Events

Exhibition Information page 2