The Art Institute

The Art Institute is a nonprofit museum and school in Chicago, Illinois, operating through the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its campus and museum are centered at 111 South Michigan Avenue, and its mission joins art education with public access to a major collection spanning many centuries and cultures. The institution serves multiple audiences at once: museum visitors, degree-seeking students, artists, scholars, educators, and families. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago enrolls undergraduate and graduate students across art and design disciplines, while the museum presents exhibitions, conservation, research, and educational programming. The museum’s collection includes works ranging from ancient art to contemporary practice, and the organization identifies itself as one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Its educational role extends beyond higher education through programs for teachers, students, and community audiences. The Art Institute’s structure reflects its long history. It was founded in 1879 and has developed into a major cultural institution with both academic and museum functions under a single umbrella. In addition to gallery exhibitions, it maintains study, library, and research resources that support scholarship and teaching. The organization’s work centers on advancing the understanding and enjoyment of art, training artists and designers, and sustaining a large civic presence in Chicago through exhibitions, collections care, and education.