ART OF INSTITUTE CHICAGO

THE ART OF INSTITUTE    

I didn't know about the Thorne room of miniatures. I spent over an hour there and it turns out you can take pictures of some collections (if not on loan) as long as you refrain from using a flash so I took a ton of pictures of the mind-boggling detail on these drawing rooms, kitchens, living rooms etc.

I also loved the paperweights, a permanent exhibit downstairs by the miniatures.

The staff is REALLY friendly. The Morgan Library staff has to be the MOST unfriendly and thuggish museum I've ever been to in my life. I love the Morgan--truly love it--but the security guards are scary and rude. You can't even take a picture in the CAFE of your FOOD--I trust Yelpers will feel the same outrage about missing a picture of the perfect grass fed burger with Vermont white cheddar cheese or a High Tea sampler!

I spoke to a few people--security as well as tour guides or docents--and everyone was friendly. Even the woman who sold me the ticket was terrific.

It's shocking how empty it was vs the Met or Natural History in NYC. This continues to be one of my predominant observations about Chicago. It's not crowded or hectic like NYC, in no small part because many streets are wider and the sidewalks like lanes in and of themselves.

Even on a Wednesday at 2PM, the Met is busy. Sure, it's more crowded on weekends but you never have a feeling that you're on a private tour at the Met (maybe at the Cloisters).

Note: this museum has bankers hours! They open 10:30 and close at 5 PM except on Thursday when they stay open till 8.

I lingered at the "Artist and the Poet" exhibit which is a must for anyone interested in the intersection of word and image. The Hockney is in the same exhibit as the Motherwell/Rafael Alberti.

I loved some of the photography exhibit as well. I didn't linger upstairs in the Impressionists much but it's such a majestic building that even a few minutes inside calms and centers.

The shop is terrific too and open to the public without paying admission. It's a particularly good shop from the books to the clothes to the jewelry to the cups.

Upon leaving, I felt as though I had had an Ativan and a massage. Art museums--to members--are relatively inexpensive places to relax for an hour or two and anyone who is fortunate enough to live in a real city with museums should take advantage of this in my view.

Honolulu County, HI

5.0 star rating 5/2/2013
Did I think I would absolutely love the Art Institute?  No.  Did I absolutely love the Art Institute?  ABSOLUTELY!!!

We started with the asian art, which was great.  Really awesome hindu artifacts and statues, and some great Japanese, Chinese and Korean art.

The Greek statues were incredible, and I can't believe you can get to within inches of these and see the incredible detail.

The Picasso collection was so beautiful, and represented what I think was all of the different phases of his artistry, in different media.  I learned so much by just seeing these displays and what he was doing.

The American art and the Impressionism displays were beautiful.

This is a world class art museum.  We both downloaded the iPhone app (free WiFi there) and had tour phones included with our Go Chicago passes.  I think the tour phones would have been $8 otherwise.  We used the tour phones a little in the beginning and they were pretty useful.  We didn't use the iPhone tour apps, but I could see using them if we spent more time there.
1. If you and your significant other or friend plan on coming here more than twice you might as well become a museum member - as a member you get to bring a guest!  And you need to come here several times to see everything - there is JUST SO MUCH TO LOOK AT & appreciate!

2. If you are a member you don't have to wait in that long line to get in.  Yes, even 45 minutes after opening there is a line to get in.  But you and your member card can just watlz on through the member entrance - clearly marked in front. :-D

3. Special "Member Lounge" with complimentary coffee & tea.  There is a nice little counter and several chairs and couches in the lounge to rest your tired feet & get a little caffeine pick-me-up.  In the nicer months the Member Lounge has a little outdoor patio area as well.  The lounge is small, however, so during peak times you might have to wait for a seat.  The Member Lounge isn't' the easiest to find so ask a museum employee if you have trouble locating it (it's on the lowest level next to the cafe).

4. 10% discount in their HUGE gift shop!

5. Your membership is tax deductible!

6. Many other member exclusive things...check out their website for more details!

They also have several dining options, too - from the quick bite at a counter to a nicer sit down cafe - open to all visitors to the museum.
I feel so lucky to live in Chicago and have easy access to so many great works of art. Did you know that the Art Institute is the second largest art museum in the U.S. behind the Met? I mean, damn, we're lucky!

Anyway, I've been going to the Art Institute since I was a little girl, and I have so many fond memories of wandering around this place with my mom.

The museum is best known for its collections of impressionist, post-impressionist and American paintings, and I always hit up these sections when I'm there. I've also been to the new modern wing twice now, and it is a truly beautiful space. Definitely a must-see. I was recently at the Art Institute for the Picasso and Chicago exhibit, which was really nicely done.

One criticism though is that the informational placards next to some of the paintings were really tiny. I mean, I understand that you don't want to take away from the paintings with these huge signs of text, but think about your audience. While the museum is popular among younger people with 20/20 vision, it is also popular among old people who - let's face it - can't see that well. I think it would help if the placards with a lot of text were a tad bit bigger. My mom, for one, had to get within inches of each sign to read it with her glasses. It was kind of ridiculous.

On another note, I would highly recommend renting the audio guide headset for the day. It's only $7 for the general public; it's $5 for members and Art Institute students. We got it for the Picasso exhibit but were able to use it all over the museum. A headphone symbol on placards next to works indicates there is accompanying audio, and you just type in the number in the symbol to listen. Super-easy, and the information for each piece was interesting and informative. Definitely worth the extra fee!

I would also recommend buying your tickets to get into the museum online instead of buying them at the door. It's an extra $2.50 per ticket to buy online but totally worth it. When I went recently, my mom purchased our tickets in advance online, and I'm so glad she did.

It was a Saturday, and when we got to the museum right at 10:30 when it opened, there was a huge line coming out the door, down the steps and extending down the block almost to the stoplight at Monroe. It was crazy!

Since we already had tickets printed off, we were able to walk right in the other door without a problem. We went straight to the Picasso exhibit and were able to walk right in. We spent over three hours in there, and when we came out, there was a huge line of people waiting to get into that too! Crazy!

Long story short: BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!

Wooh! OK, I'm done now. The Art Institute is such a great museum, and I highly recommend going if you're from out of town or a Chicagoan like me. There's so much to see, there's no way you can see it all in one day, but you can certainly try. I try to make it out about twice a year depending on what exhibits are showing, and it's always a great time.
We are so lucky to have this wonderful museum and art school right here in our city!

With the announcement of the World's Colombian Exposition to be held in 1892-93, the Art Institute pressed for a building on the lakefront to be constructed for the fair, but to be used by the Institute afterwards. The city agreed, and the Art Institute has graced our fair city since then.

Now I am a member so there are a few perks that I get with that membership that the general public may not- but even if you are not a member- be you a Chicago native or a tourist- this has to be on your list of places to see!

The new Modern wing showcases the museum's collection of 20th and 21st century art and is just beautiful.  The current Picasso exhibit is also quite amazing.  I went to the member's only lecture a few Sunday's ago and was pleased to see so many people in attendance to learn more about this wonderful exhibit.

My favorite way to see the work is to take an afternoon and just wander . . .from gallery to gallery.  It's a great place to think, to ponder and to marvel that all of these beautiful works of art are right here in our very own city!
I went to Chicago in the Summer of 2012 to visit family, and absolutely had the time of my life there. One of the highlights of the trip was my experience in the Millenium Park area, where I spent a lot of time. At the behest of several family members, I spent an extremely enjoyable day touring this gem by myself, and really was sad when the day ended.

This is truly an extraordinary museum - as with many of the world's great art museums, make sure that you have scheduled yourself at least one WHOLE day for your visit, since you will barely be able to get through the museum in this short time... I greatly enjoyed the Lichtenstein traveling exhibit during my tour, but it appears as if they have a "Picasso and Chicago" exhibit now - how sad. (That's extremely tongue in cheek... How fantastic!)

Millennium Park is right across the street, so you can enjoy the relaxing Lurie Garden and the neat outdoor sculptures there as well. There are plenty of great places to have lunch nearby, although the rooftop restaurant is quite good, so you may not even want to venture out.

There are many famous, iconic pieces here - Grant Wood's American Gothic, Chagall's American Windows, Magritte's Time Transfixed, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Dali's Venus de Milo with Drawers, Picasso's The Old Guitarist, and many more to enjoy! I must say that Nighthawks was my favorite - this painting just "speaks" to me, and I love it every time I see it or a reproduction.

The museum's staff were very courteous, and were quick to help give directions or comment on their favorite pieces when asked. I appreciated their ability to "chaperone" the collection without being intrusive or belligerent - for those who frequent fine art museums often, you certainly know what I mean. I really hate it when the docents act as if patrons wish to deface the art - most of us aren't psycho!

Do yourself a favor - don't miss this one when you are in Chicago!

Will definitely be back...