Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Chicago

"Much like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art is an architectural masterpiece containing some of the world’s most important creative gems."

"A group of art patrons who felt the great Art Institute was unresponsive to modern work founded the MCA in 1967, and it has remained…"

"The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago is home to more than 5,000 pieces by Mexican, Latino, and Chicano artists. It is considered the largest Latino cultural institution in the United States and the only Latino museum to have received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. The National Museum of Mexican Art is perhaps best known for its annual Día de los Muertos exhibit."

"National Museum of Mexican Art is a museum that is ideal for your toddlers and preteens. Located in the Pilsen neighborhood, the museum has a permanent collection of 10,000 pieces. These pieces are a vibrant curation of Mexican history and culture."

"The art was so beautiful and I would say the artist extremely talented. It’s a beautiful museum that discusses and shows the beauty and story of Mexican culture. Came here on a field trip and had a tour guide walk us through the art."

"When you want a touch of culture during your visit to Chicago, stop by the Museum of Contemporary Photography. This art museum features six photography shows each year, and you can easily get through everything in a couple of hours. You may see noteworthy work from emerging artists or breathtaking archives from the museum’s own collection."

"Part of Columbia College Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Photography contains images by some of America’s greatest photographers. This includes Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. A particular highlight is the Farm Security Administration collection of images, which portray life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl."

"Established in 1984 by Columbia College in Chicago, the MoCP has become the leading photographic museum in the Midwest. It houses a collection of over 10,000 images dating back to 1936. The MoCP also founded the Midwest Photographers Project, that has the goal to encourage and support emerging artists."

"Arranged on the University of Chicago grounds in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum of Art was considered as an establishment where researchers could examine expressions of the human experience and foster displays. Today, it’s available to general society (affirmation is in every case free) and is home to the school’s assortment of compelling artwork and artifacts, including parchments and ceramics from China just as contemporary works by any semblance of Kerry James Marshall and Andy Warhol. Investigate shows committed to rambling establishments and neighborhood craftsmanship developments prior to sitting down in the gallery’s yard mold garden."

"Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!. Tags:adler planetariumart institute of chicagoBrookfield ZooChicago Botanic GardenChicago Children’s Museumchicago history museumClarke House MuseumDePaul Art MuseumDuSable Museum of African American Historylincoln park zooLoyola University Museum of Artmuseum of contemporary artMuseum of Science and IndustryNational Museum of Mexican ArtNational Veterans Art Museumshedd aquariumSmart Museum of ArtThe Field MuseumThe Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum"

"Photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Photo by Chris Strong. No, it's not the University of Chicago waving its intellect at the rest of us (although it is on the campus), but rather this Hyde Park museum is named for brothers David and Alfred Smart, the original publishers of Esquire magazine."

"The Arts Club of Chicago is an art museum with public exhibitions and private tours. The club's first floors are open to the public at no admission cost; private tours of the permanent collection can be arranged. The Arts Club, which opened in 1916, was home to the first United States showing of Pablo Picasso's work."

"The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before."

"Founded originally as Young Hoffman Gallery in 1976, Rhona Hoffman Gallery in the West Town of Chicago has launched many of emerging artists’ careers, being one of the first galleries to offer exhibitions to women artists including Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, and Sylvia Plimack Mangold. They specialize in international contemporary art in all medias, and art that is conceptually, formally, or socio-politically based. Among the artists the gallery has exhibited and/or continues to exhibit are Vito Acconci, Leon Golub, Robert Heinecken, Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, Sol LeWitt, Robert Ryman, Lorna Simpson, Nancy Spero, Richard Tuttle, Carrie Mae Weems, and Kehinde Wiley."

"Founded as the Young Hoffman Gallery in the 1970s, Rhona Hoffman took full ownership of the space in the ’80s, showcasing a mix of emerging and established artists. Though the gallery continues to enrich Chicago’s arts community, its most notable contribution to the creative world is its advocacy of female artists. This West Town institution was one of the first to prioritize the exposure of new female artists, helping to launch the careers of Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Cindy Sherman and Barbara Kruger."

"Rhona Hoffman Gallery, initially known as the Young Hoffman Gallery was founded in 1976. Back then, it was one of the first galleries to exhibit women artists such as Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, Sylvia Plimack Mangold and Cindy Sherman. Currently, the gallery Specializes in international contemporary art in all media, particularly of the socio-political variety."

"Next on my list of top art galleries in Chicago, this is one of the oldest galleries in Chicago. The Zolla / Lieberman Gallery has stood by the river for years, it’s timeless collection showcases art from all periods and from all across the world. With no main theme instead choosing to embrace the whole of the art world, its varied and truly inspiring works are a must see, as one of the Top 5 art galleries in Chicago."

"The trendsetting Zolla/Lieberman Gallery was the first occupant of the River North Gallery District before the area became one of Chicago’s most saturated arts and culture destinations. The art space doesn’t restrict itself to a single period or style; instead, it searches for new artists and embraces multiple genres to curate collections based on impeccable taste."

"First opening its doors in 1976, Zolla/Lieberman Gallery founded the area that is now known as the River North Gallery District, a lively neighborhood in the Near North Side. Now located at 325 W. Huron Street, the gallery embraces a wide range of genres and artists, offering a variety of work."

"The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S., 5 Rabbit infuses Hispanic culture into American beer styles. The brews, named for days on the Aztec calendar, include an avocado stout, Mexican lager, and fruit-forward styles inspired by Mexican paletas. Try them all in their cozy taproom — they’re the perfect complement to the tacos (served on Thursday evenings) and tamales (every Saturday afternoon)."

"Fountainhead is a bar that revolves around beer and also boasts a seasonal rooftop garden. The cozy second-story terrace is rife with Chicagoans clutching steins of German ambers and Czech Pilsners. Along with beer, the menu is replete with bourbon, scotch, whiskey, wine and cocktails, which can be paired with snacks from the kitchen downstairs."

"Simple and straightforward, Fountainhead is a North Center bar that opens up seasonally. There’s little in the way of signature cocktails, as beer and whiskey are the focus here, with lots of drafts on tap for the most refined hop-head, and a simple bar food menu that can hit the spot and soak up all those heady brews."