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Chicago Artists’ Group Portrait, 2015. Photo: Jason Lazarus, assistants: Aron Gent and Patrick Putze.

Committed to Diversity

Martin H. Nesbitt
Diversity is part of the MCA's DNA.
Accessibility Board Community Visitors

Jeff Koons Speaks to MCA Staff

Nancy DeDakis
Nancy DeDakis recalls Jeff Koons giving a talk to  staff during his first solo exhibition.
Artists Community Directors Exhibitions Talks
Installation view, Art at the Armory: Occupied Territory, MCA Chicago, Sep 13, 1992–Jan 23, 1993. Photo © MCA Chicago.

Art at the Armory

Helen Dunbeck
The run-down Armory building in which the MCA presented Art at the Armory: Occupied Territory charmed visitors.
1990s Building Exhibitions

A 24-Hour Free-for-All

Marjorie Susman
Instead of throwing a flashy party, the MCA opened the museum to all for 24 hours.
1990s Board Building Events Parties

Few Resources, Lots of Creativity

Lynne Warren
Starting out with few resources, the MCA found ways to connect audiences with artists in programs such as gallery talks with Vito Acconci and Jeff Koons.
1980s Events Exhibitions Staff Talks
Lee Bontecou, Untitled, 1966. Welded steel, canvas, epoxy, leather, wire, and light; 78 ½ x 119 x 31 in. (199.4 x 302.3 x 78.7 cm). Collection Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, gift of the Robert B. Mayer Family Collection, 1991.85. Photo © MCA Chicago.

The Lee Bontecou Exhibition

Helen Zell
Elizabeth Smith, a chief curator for 10 years, put on an incredible Lee Bontecou show that later travelled to MoMA and the Hammer.
2000s Artists Curatorial Exhibitions

Joseph Randall Shapiro’s Generosity

Malcolm Kamin
Joseph Randall Shapiro donated 1,000 lithographs to University of Chicago students so they would have art in their dorms.
Collectors Founders Joe Shapiro
Students from our Multiple Visit Program discuss artworks in Basim Magdy: The Stars Were Aligned for a Century of New Beginnings, MCA Chicago, Dec 10, 2016–Mar 19, 2017. Photo: Joshua Longbrake, © MCA Chicago.

Not A Typical Field Trip

Marissa Reyes
Students at Chicago Public Schools experience the MCA through the lens of artist-led tours, introducing new perspectives and conversations.
Artists Education Staff Visitors Youth

Seeing the World through Art

Heidi Reitmaier
An installation by artist Gaylen Gerber sparks big-picture questions among young people visiting the MCA for the first time.
2010s Education Exhibitions Staff Youth
Martin Creed, Work No. 1357, MOTHERS, 2012. White neon and steel; 22 2/5 x 47 3/5 ft. (6.8 x 14.5 m). Installation view, Martin Creed Plays Chicago, MCA Chicago, 2012. Courtesy of the artist and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

Artist-Activated Ambition

Michael Darling
The MCA’s devotion to being artist-activated means that we end up doing ambitious projects.
Artists Curatorial Exhibitions Staff
Chicago Artists’ Group Portrait, 2015. Photo: Jason Lazarus, assistants: Aron Gent and Patrick Putze.

Amplifying the Chicago Flavor

Michael Darling
Michael Darling discusses the importance of exhibiting and collecting work by Chicago artists.  
Artists Chicago Exhibitions Staff Visitors

More than Just a Museum

Madeleine Grynsztejn
Now more than ever, museums are shared spaces for people to come together, interact, and connect.
Community Directors Visitors
Installation view, Kerry James Marshall: Mastry, MCA Chicago, Apr 23–Sep 25, 2016. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

“This person is going to influence the world”

Madeleine Grynsztejn
Madeleine Grynsztejn recalls an early visit to the studio of Kerry James Marshall.
2010s Artists Directors Exhibitions Global

Not Always Your Cup of Tea

Judy Freeman
The MCA continues to challenge visitors with a range of contemporary art.
2010s Chicago Chicago Avenue Exhibitions
ArtEdge 50. Photo: Braxton Black for Jeremy Lawson Photography, © MCA Chicago.

ArtEdge on Brand

Anne Kaplan
Anne Kaplan describes ArtEdge as a way to develop an identity for the MCA.
Events Exhibitions Parties

A Merry Band of Pioneers

Helyn Goldenberg
When the museum opened, it was just a group of people doing something. It was very adventuresome.
1960s Community Founders
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