Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Lisle

"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."

"Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, just off the Magnificent Mile, explores, exhibits, and collects art created since 1945. The museum is dedicated to allowing the public "to directly experience the work and ideas of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art of our time." It also puts a major emphasis on diverse voices that communicate through art. Continue to 5 of 10 below."

"One of the world’s largest contemporary art museums, the MCA is full of modern and contemporary works. This includes pieces by Arthur Jafa and Kerry James Marshall. Famous artists like Frida Kahlo and Jeff Koons held their earliest exhibitions at the museum, which regularly runs curated exhibitions throughout the year."

"This accredited museum in the Pilsen area is dedicated to preserving and facilitating knowledge about Latino life and history. Exhibits focus on Mexican culture as it's represented in the US and in Mexico, and the permanent collection includes folk art, ephemera, sculpture, textiles and drawings. Performing arts are also featured and the center hosts special events throughout the year to advance the museum's objectives."

"Geared toward children 4 to 12, the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood offers a 10,000-piece permanent collection that showcases the richness of Mexican art and culture. Highlights include bilingual camps, art classes, and family-centric gallery tours. A post shared by National Museum of Mexican Art (@explorenmma) on Oct 18, 2017 at 7:56am PDT"

"The Museum of Contemporary Photography began its collection in the early 1980s and it now includes more than 16,000 objects by over 1,500 artists. Go beyond Ansel Adams and Diane Arbus at the leading photography museum in the Midwest. The museum continuously searches for new photographers so each visit is a revelation - that won't cost you a cent!"

"Admission is free year-round at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. All visitors must reserve a free timed ticket. Dates are subject to change and may not include fees to view special exhibits."

"The Smart Museum of Art has impressive collections of European, American and Asian art|© Andre Jenny / Alamy Stock Photo. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the Smart Museum of Art bills itself as “an intimate museum for bold encounters with art.” The collection – which includes pieces by Edgar Degas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso – is renowned for its extensive array of fine art and objects representing a plethora of eras, continents and genres."

"Nestled on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum houses more than 15,000 artworks, ranging from European paintings and Asian arts to contemporary and modern art. This is also home to The H. C. Westermann Study Collection, which is one of the most significant public collections of artwork and archival material related to the artist’s life and work. Bonus: the Smart Museum is free."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"The Renaissance Society is a kunsthalle-style museum that presents about 4 exhibits a year from international artists. It focuses on contemporary art and is located at the University of Chicago."

"Ongoing weekend programs at the museum include workshops for kids to learn about identifying rocks and minerals or learning how to make jewelry. Collections include gemstones, fossils and an ornate castle. Online activities include virtual jewelry classes and rock identification classes."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago is a non-profit with a mission to share the work of outsiders. The center defines an outsider in the art world as "the work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world, and who instead are motivated by their unique personal vision." Since its inception in 1991, Intuit has become a leader in the field of promoting outsider and intuitive art. The museum's permanent collection, which they began amassing in 2002, has come to include more than 1,1000 works of art."

"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."

"This is a term coined by its founders to describe art created by self-taught artists or those without any formal training. The focus here is on artists who for any number of reasons exist outside of mainstream art. The permanent collection features artists including Minnie Evans, Miles Carpenter, and William Hawkins."

"This 1951 minimalist dwelling by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe sits just down the Fox River from Aurora. Constructed of steel, wood, and travertine…"

"Source: Photo by user Esther Westerveld used under CC BY 2.0. One of the finest building in the United States, the Rookery Building is an absolute architectural treat. The interior light court maximizes the natural light entering the building."

"Exposed brick and warm lighting give Komorebi in Wicker Park an inviting vibe, and an emphasis on excellent sushi for an affordable price makes the restaurant even more enticing."

"Macku Sushi can satisfy your need for a standard spicy salmon roll, but if you want something more adventurous, try the omakase menu. Chef Macku gets very creative not only with his presentations, but also flavor combinations, such as a spoonful of salmon roe with Pop Rocks. Hopefully you won't befall the same fate as Little Mikey from the Life commercials."

"For those who appreciate art as much as their food, Macku Sushi beckons to you. The elaborate embellishments with onion slices, truffle oil, tomato-mushroom puree, and fried garlic look almost too good to eat. However, you can also choose the less extravagant looking dishes that are also very flavorful."

"Bon Appetit called Macku Sushi one of the top 10 sushi spots in the nation, so there's no doubt the Lincoln Park restaurant is a serious contender when it comes to the best sushi i..."

"The six-block shopping district features more than 50 world-class retailers as well as 20 restaurants. Luxury travel goods and accessories brand MCM recently opened its first Chicago location at The Shops at North Bridge in early 2020. The shopping center is anchored by Nordstrom's flagship location."

"This mall on Michigan Avenue is all about fun, fashion, food and family. The Shops at North Bridge is a four-level shopping centre. It is home to over 50 world-class retailers: fashion stores, cosmetics, toy stores, electronics for tech-savvy visitors, and more."

"Looking for brand shops for clothing, sporting goods, home supplies and more, under one roof?. Head to The Maxwell. It is smaller (around 10 stores) but complex."