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Museum of Contemporary Art

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220 E Chicago Ave (at N Michigan Avenue)
Chicago, IL 60611

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(312) 397-4010
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Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, IL
Reviews
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( 13 )
( 6 )
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Best

MoCA is a must-see for any art lover visiting Chicago. If you're going to visit and are serious about art, then plan at least a full day visit or even break it into two days! You ...

Worst

All reviews seem positive
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Heavy on photography, for now, but still wonderful 5/30/2007

On our last day in Chicago, we ventured downtown just to see this museum and were somewhat disappointed. We were hoping for some amazing installations and many more paintings and illustrations than were present. We did accidentally skip the sculpture garden, but we saw way too much photography. I'm not saying that that's not an art, it just wasn't what I was expecting. This might have been the current exhibit, I'm wondering if they even have a constant collection? Anyway, the view from the fourth floor was stellar and a few of the works were more thought provoking than much of the stuff in the art institute. more
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Visit often 5/19/2006

The MCA has many unique offerings, the current one being Andy Warhol (until June, I think). But a few years ago they had an amazing exhibit focused on Mies Van der Rohe. For such a small space, the MCA manages to offer stellar works and extremely cohesive exhibits. There is also a theater space at the MCA, as well as a farmer's market during the summer months, typically one day during the week. more
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Andy Warhol Mania!!! 4/10/2006

In Chicago I went to check out the Andy Warhol exhibit "Supernova: deaths, disasters and Movie Stars" at the Chicago Contemporary Museum at art. It was literally amusing, which is what he would want. The images are so disterbing that they erase all thought. In a good way. I much perfered it too the abstract "Make you thing stuff" If you go, remember, Tuesdays are free and there is an 80 minute movie on the main floor on Andy's life. more
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great museum 3/24/2006

I've noticed a lot of artwork done by local artists. So there is the glowing feeling of supporting the Chi-town arts. MCA shows contemporary art, so there's a lot of fun to be had. A lot of quirky stuff and a lot of really deep stuff. They also offer a number of shows and gallery openings. Their First Fridays gallery Opining is a cool place to take a date . more
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Museum of Contemporary Art 3/18/2006

The Museum of Contemporary Art resides in a minimalist building on Chicago Avenue. I attended a Friday night opening for the Andy Warhol exhibit and it was wall-to-wall people. Some came to see art, and some came to be seen. The First Friday events draw a good crowd, and there are free snacks and a cash bar. The free admission policy on Tuesdays is great. more
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Modern Art or Contemporary Art 3/17/2006

Modern art or contemporary art, isn't it the same thing? The museum itself is a work of art. Wasn't it designed by that famous architect, Art Vandalay?? Ha, ha. Anyway, I come here sometimes on a Tueday (their free day). Some of the pieces are really cool and clever and took a lot of hard work and imagination to create. But on the other hand, some of the featured work is kind of shocking and an eye sore. They are currently running an exhibition from one of modern art's icons and heroes, Andy Warhol whose work is not an eye sore in the least, but is actually excellent. more
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A Chicago Landmark 1/16/2006

I love this place. I have not always enjoyed art, but as I have gotten older, I have grown to appreciate it more. There is something here for everyone, from the classics to the suits of armor to the lions at the entrance. Like all Chicago museums, its free on Tuesdays, so there's no reason to stay away. You won't regret it. more
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Great Museum! 11/4/2005

This is my favorite museum in Chicago! The art is so abstract and fun to look at. The displays change every couple of months so there’s always something new to look forward to. They have totally free admission on Tuesday evenings so it’s a great weekday activity! It’s good for the whole family too! more
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Fantastic place 8/28/2005

This is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. Many new artists. Its a great place to go for a date. I love some of their pieces and its a nice break from the busy work week. I recommend it for people looking for something relaxing. more
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Contemporary art 8/21/2005

This museum has a lot more to offer than the art. Come to the museum on Tuesday for Tuesdays on the Terrace, a place to socialize, meet new people and be surrounded by art! Also-free tours, check out the webpage. And, in the summer they have an outdoor Farmer's Market. In the middle of the city!! Probably the most enjoyable aspect of the museum for me is when they do something outside the museum, in the front area, just recently they had a truck and camper look like it was breaking up and out of the concrete!! more
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A show of extraordinary lights! 8/19/2005

The trick to museums in Chicago is the pass from the Chicago Public Libraries -- The Kid's Museum Card or waiting for the museum's free day (ususally once a week). I went on Tuesday from 5-8, which was the museum's free time, and also the Terrace on the Park - with live music facing the park and almost seeing the lake. The tour guide was fabulous, took the tour through the whole of the upper level light exhibit which was wonderful, and the main floor had other interesting pieces of differing contemporary art as well. A beautiful exhibit for a free few hours is a fantastic trip. more
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Favorite Museum! 8/19/2005

I love this museum because the art is so cool! Its free on Tuesdays from 5-8 for anyone who wants to go walk around and on the first Friday of every month they turn it into a bar and have catered appetizers.. its one of the hottest parties in Chicago every first friday! Check the website because they change the theme and the exhbits regularly! more
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Size isn't everything 8/19/2005

The Museum of Contemporary Art is considerable smaller than the Art Institute and other major art museums in large cities. However, what it lacks in size and variety, it makes up in quality. The exhibits are very intriguing, and the smallness of the museum actually makes it more manageable to browse thoroughly in a single afternoon. Tuesday's, I believe, are free. more
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World Class Art in a Beautiful Setting 8/18/2005

Unlike many modern art museums, the new building of the Museum of Contemporary Art does not overwhelm the art. This prime location features world class modern art, including many thought-provoking art works along with well known standards. Their gift shops are outstanding and worth a visit. Wolfgang Puck runs the restaurant to the museum, and it's a great place to lunch, even if you only notice the art running in to meet your friends for a delicious salad. Downstairs performance areas highlight great live theatre and music. more
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Interesting Art Museum 8/8/2005

The Museum of Contemporary Art is quite differernt from the pieces of art found in the collections at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this museum, there lies many pieces of abstract and modern art that involves the visitors to experience more than the visual sense. For instance there is one room in which there are lots of comfy pillows on the floor for you to sit on surrounding a large glowing yellow sphere and in the head phones there is a heart beat sound. And for the shock and awe, there was a piece with animal skins hanging from the ceiling with video monitors showing the harvesting of animal pellets. I found this museum quite interesting as i went here for a undergraduate trip for my art class. more
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Museum of Contemporary Art 8/5/2005

Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art delivers exactly what you'd expect. It's a little on the small side, but the exhibits are typically excellent - interesting work that is nicely laid out. No surprises with the museum's atmosphere, though I do find it a bit more welcoming than other museums. If you're planning a visit, be sure to consider Tuesday nights, not only for the free admission to the museum, but also the live jazz and drinks out back. In the summer (when not too hot) this provides a nice, relaxing, casual evening out. more
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Chicago's finest--Fear No Art! 8/4/2005

Fear No Art is the unofficial motto of this great museum just one block off Michigan Avenue. The high ceilings, huge windows and open spaces are a great contrast to typically stuffy traditional museums. But nothing prepares you for truly the most original, ground-breaking, and yes, sometimes disturbing artwork in the country. The museum hosts a special reception the first Friday of each month from 6-10pm. For $14 ($7 for members), there's a great buffett by Puck's, cash bar and access to all the exhibits, including the great gift shop. The Sunday brunch at Puck's overlooks Lake Michigan and Northwestern's tennis courts. Lovely! more
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The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance.

Owner Message

  • One of the nation’s largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.

Editorial

  • The Space
    Your reception can be as contemporary as the artwork hanging on the walls, and as classy as the interior design suggests. Stark white walls, gray floors, silver accents, tall...

  • 3/29/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue 10am-8pm Wed-Sun 10am-5pm
  • Payments: Discover, Master Card, Visa, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central
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