Exhibitions and Events
Stay in tune with the art that moves us — local shows, creative gatherings, and jazzy happenings near you.
Major Art Fairs & Gallery Exhibitions
APR 8-11, 2027
EXPO CHICAGO
Venue: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.
Description: This is the big one for Chicago’s contemporary-art scene. EXPO CHICAGO brings together major international, national and Chicago galleries, with paintings, sculpture, photography, video, installations and other contemporary and modern work.
The 2027 edition will be the fair’s 14th edition. Its main sections include Galleries, Focus (for emerging galleries and practices), and Profile (which concentrates on solo presentations and focused projects). There are also talks, installations and public-art programming around the fair.
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.
Sept 17, 2026–Sept 17, 2027
Human-Nature
Venue: The Franklin
Description: This exhibition explores the relationship between humans and the natural environment through contemporary art and related creative practices.
MAR 6-7, 2027
Staple + Stitch Art Book & Print Fair
Venue: Chicago Athletic Association
Description: Staple + Stitch focuses on the intersection of art, books, printmaking and paper. The fair brings together artists, printmakers, independent publishers, zine makers, book artists and small presses.
The 2027 fair is scheduled to have more than 75 vendors and is free and open to the public, where you’ll find artist books, limited-edition prints, handmade books, zines, posters, printmaking, publications and paper-based artwork.
This is much more intimate and artist-to-artist than a giant commercial art fair.
Apr 30 - MAY 2, 2027
One of a Kind Spring Show
Venue: THE MART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
Description: This is one of Chicago’s largest gatherings of independent artists, makers and designers. The 2027 Spring Show is scheduled to feature 350+ artists.
Rather than functioning like a traditional gallery art fair, One of a Kind emphasizes original, handmade and artist-designed work, including fine art, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, home décor, fashion, illustration and other crafts.
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.
Sept 22, 2026 –Feb 21, 2027
teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity
Venue: Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave.
Description: This is one of the most visually spectacular art exhibitions currently in Chicago.
Japanese collective teamLab creates enormous immersive digital environments using light, animation, sound and computer technology. The works respond to the surrounding environment and explore ideas involving perception, consciousness, nature and interconnectedness.