Museum of Contemporary Art
This modern art museum is contradictory, erratic, controversial, provocative, contentious and wonderful.
Message from Museum of Contemporary Art
Come to the Museum of Contemporary Art to see the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the work of living artists, the MCA is the best place in Chicago to experience the works and creative processes of the most stimulating artists of our time. View art today that everyone will be talking about tomorrow.
Editorial by Citysearch
OverviewSolid and severe-looking, with an imposing exterior flight of steps, the building's design is, by most accounts, a missed opportunity. Inside, though, the space allows the MCA to dedicate one floor to its growing permanent collection while also having several larger and smaller gallery areas for its intriguing temporary exhibitions. The fourth floor offers spectacular views of the lake and downtown.
Features
The permanent collection of more than 6,000 works includes pieces by Rene Magritte, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, with a focus on Chicago-based artists, surrealism of the 1940s and 1950s, and 1960s minimalism. Recent exhibits have included Mies in America, Andreas Gurskey, "At the End of the Century: 100 Years of Architecture" and "Roy Lichtenstein: Interiors."
Key Points
- Modern Artist's Work
- Art from 1945-2006
- Theater and Events
The Inside Scoop
- Price Tag - Lobby, atrium, Puck's at the MCA, and sculpture garden will set you back $3,500-$5,500 for four hours ($1,000 for each additional hour). Tent extra. A 25 percent deposit is required.
- Food Bill - The catering rates are not cheap: $125-$200 per person (furniture included in cost), and you don't have a choice. The museum has an exclusive arrangement with Wolfgang Puck Catering.
- The Extras - The first Friday of every month is a sort of arty singles night, with Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres and live music.
- Save Money - Admission is actually free all day on Tuesday, every week.
Insider Pages Reviews for Museum of Contemporary Art
The MCA has a great selection of rotating exhibitions, most featuring the work of living artists or retrospectives of contemporary greats. Increasingly visitor-friendly, spending some time at the MCA will give you a lot to think on, in the best sense possible. Social events like their Tuesday jazz program and First Fridays are also a fun way to see the art & meet new people.
PROS: Great, new art. Little buttons free with admission
CONS: Rarely displays permanent collection
Posted 07/26/06 | Report Abuse
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This is a really intresting museum, with just a cool array of exhibits. I don't particularly like modern art, but I find all of the exhibts here really cool! Right now they have an excellent exhibit called "Dan Flavin: A Retrospective" which is simply really cool! They also have free jazz Tuesday nights untill October 30th! Check it out!
Posted 09/28/05 | Report Abuse
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My mother and I recently went to the Museum of Contemporary Art and really enjoyed the exhibits, especially the special photography one about Asia, in which we learned alot during the guided tour. The museum is just the right size because you can get through it in 2-3 hours and see everything. There's also a Wolfgang Puck's overlooking an outdoor sculpture garden that is really good. There is an attached parking lot and admission is reasonable. Definitely not as good as the Art Institute, but worth a visit if you enjoy contemporary art.
Posted 09/05/05 | Report Abuse
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The museum of contemporary art has a collection that is quite different from that at the Art Institute. They display more modern art that invoke lots of thought. I found the exhibit about animal furs to be quite interesting. they hung fur pelts from the ceiling and showed images on the tv screen on how inhumane people were to get these pelts.
Posted 09/01/05 | Report Abuse
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GREAT selection of art. Great for any first-timers in Chicago. I really enjoyed going to this museum with my boyfriend. We both found points of interests throughout the museum.
Posted 07/19/05 | Report Abuse
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I really like the space and layout of the MCA but I'm not very intersted in the art there. It is too unusual for my interests. The events that are held there like First Friday's are great though. There's lots of space and a large crowd attends. Admission is not expensive, so it's worth a visit.
PROS: Great events
CONS:
Posted 06/16/05 | Report Abuse
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This museum is great for art lovers. I went there but was completely bored because I was not familiar with the art. It was nice to look at but got boring for me after awhile. They did not have any guided tours either.
Posted 05/17/05 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Not to shabby
by PacinoFan
I'm gonna be incredibly unpopular here and give this museum a 3 star review. I realize it's a culturally significant building and the works of art that they store are rare and controversial and exciting and incredibly valuable....but...this place is sooooo big and it's in a city filled with broke unemployed artists who have shelves of art they want to show and no where to put it in. How can a city with sooooo many artists have a contemporary art gallery with sooooo few exhibits.
If they would just use the space the architect gave them, this place would have a lot more to look at.
Pros: Famous art gallery
Cons: Kind of ...empty
Posted 07/15/09
Jeff Koons
by bethylou10
My favorite museum in Chicago, hands down. The constantly rotating exhibits are always thought provoking, easy to navigate, and not at all daunting. The current exhibit highlights Chicago favorite, Jeff Koons. The MCA does a great job of highlighting his works and influences throughout his career.
First Fridays are always fun events, too, and great for networking.
Posted 09/01/08
Museum by day, Party by night
by jen1971
Where else could you check out art and mingle at the same time? Every first Friday of the month, this museum offers a chance to look at the art while socializing, eating and drinking. It's a great concept. They are conveniently located on the Magnificent Mile. I highly recommend this museum especially for First Fridays!
Posted 09/01/08
Jeff Koons Exhibit is Spectacular
by HeyNowLDT
I recently went to the Jeff Koons exhibit & I was thoroughly impressed. It's a vast collection from throughout his career. The museum is beautiful, in and of itself, but I love the art within. I was also fascinated by the wonderful collection of Alexander Calder mobiles on the top floor. Tuesdays are free, and I can't think of a better value for your buck than great art for free!
Pros: Free Tuesdays, Contemporary Art
Posted 07/12/08
Beautiful space, great pieces
by jkf118
Although admission is a bit pricey, viewing the objects on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art is a great way to spend an afternoon. Since it is set back, off Michigan, it is supremely less crowded than the Art Institute, which allows visitors to spend more time looking at objects up close. In addition, the permanent collection is outstanding, a veritible who's-who in contemporary art. Lastly, the building itself is a work of art and farmer's markets outside in the summer are an added treat.
Posted 08/14/02
Underrated!
by jpanderson_citysearch
This is a great space for museum-lovers for several reasons. For one, it's a great place to see challenging, contemporary works by innovative artists. Also, it's a beautiful space, and it's never packed! Very conveniently located next to the Mag Mile.
Posted 05/16/02