Exhibitions and Events
Stay in tune with the art that moves us — local shows, creative gatherings, and jazzy happenings near you.
Museum & Gallery Exhibitions
Oct 18, 2025 –
Feb 22, 2026
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago
Description: This exhibition presents over 200 works across a variety of media including performance footage, music and sound recordings, scores, film, photography, installation, and archival materials. Participatory artworks—a key aspect of Ono’s practice—also feature in the exhibition, and visitors are invited to partake in several interactive, instruction-based artworks throughout Music of the Mind.
Sep 12, 2026 – Mar 21, 2027
Slow Dance
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago
Description: A multi-artist thematic exhibition exploring temporality, rhythm, movement, and the concept of “slow” in art.
Jun 27, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027
Kenzi Shiokava: Ascendant Artist
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago
Description: Solo exhibition by artist Kenzi Shiokava, part of MCA’s program for emerging and mid-career artists.
Dec 21, 2025 –
Mar 29, 2026
Bruce Goff: Material Worlds
Venue: Art Institute of Chicago
Description: An exhibition highlighting the innovative architectural designs of Bruce Goff, emphasizing his use of unconventional materials and forms. It offers insights into his creative process and his impact on 20th-century architecture.
Oct 4, 2025 –
Jan 5, 2026
Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination
Venue: Art Institute of Chicago
Description: This exhibition explores the Symbolist movement through paintings, drawings, and sculptures that delve into dreams, spirituality, and the unconscious. It features works by artists like Odilon Redon and Gustave Moreau.
Sep 19, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change (Chicago Architecture Biennial)
Venue: Multiple venues — Chicago Cultural Center (primary), plus Graham Foundation, Stony Island Arts Bank, Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, 840 N. Michigan Ave
Description: The 6th Chicago Architecture Biennial. Over 100 projects by architects, designers, and artists from ~30 countries, focusing on how architecture responds to cultural, social, and environmental change.
Sep 6, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism
Venue: Art Institute of Chicago
Description: A major career survey of Mary Cassatt, featuring over 75 works on paper and canvas, highlighting her evolution beyond early Impressionism.
Jan 7 – Apr 6, 2026
Japanese Prints from the Collection of Bruce Goff
Venue: Art Institute of Chicago
Description: Selection of Japanese woodblock prints (20th century) drawn from the collection of architect Bruce Goff, exploring his interest in Japanese aesthetics.
Major Art Fairs & Cultural Events
Apr 2026
(Exact dates to be announced)
EXPO CHICAGO
Venue: Navy Pier
Description: A premier international contemporary and modern art fair, featuring over 170 galleries from around the world, along with curator-led exhibitions and special programs. It serves as a significant platform for contemporary art in the Midwest.