Chicago Cultural Center

Chicago Cultural Center Official page for the landmark Chicago Cultural Center (aka "The People's Palace"). Come for the beauty, stay for the events.

Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events. Completed in 1897 as Ch

icago’s first central public library, the building was designed to impress and to prove that Chicago had grown into a sophisticated metropolis. The country’s top architects and craftsmen used the most sumptuous materials, such as rare imported marbles, polished brass, fine hardwoods, and mosaics of Favrile glass, mother-of-pearl and colored stone, to create an architectural showplace. Located on the south side of the building, the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome ― 38 feet in diameter with some 30,000 pieces of glass ― was restored to its original splendor in 2008. On the north side of the building is a 40-foot-diameter dome with some 50,000 pieces of glass in an intricate Renaissance pattern, designed by Healy & Millet. In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center presents hundreds of free international, national, regional and local artists, musicians and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts.

Meet an Artist, 12-2pm this Friday and Saturday in the Learning Lab! Summer Artist In Residence, Aquil "AQ" Charlton, is...
08/24/2023

Meet an Artist, 12-2pm this Friday and Saturday in the Learning Lab!
Summer Artist In Residence, Aquil "AQ" Charlton, is a musician, teaching artist, and leader of public studio and instrument making workshops. Aquil is an active member of Mobile Music Box and the Mobilize Creative Collaborative.
During this residency AQ will be making additions to his Mobile Music Box workshop vehicle on site. Join us for some great DIY instrument making workshops and jam sessions with other collaborating artists. AQ will also have a mobile studio set-up to generate a library of sounds that will be woven into music and played through the sound dome in the Learning Lab.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/learning_lab.html

08/16/2023
Tomorrow!“Disabled people can do whatever they want to and make beautiful art.”
07/21/2023

Tomorrow!
“Disabled people can do whatever they want to and make beautiful art.”

The one-day festival celebrates creativity from disabled performers and artists across many disciplines.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, July 27!
07/21/2023

Deadline to apply is Thursday, July 27!

The inaugural DisFest, a free celebration of accomplished artists and performers with disabilities, comes to the   this ...
07/20/2023

The inaugural DisFest, a free celebration of accomplished artists and performers with disabilities, comes to the this Saturday, July 22!

Chicago’s first-ever DisFest, a celebration of disabled artists organized, is being held at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday, July 22.

This Saturday, oft-overlooked artists take over the   in the inaugural DisFest, a daylong festival featuring multidiscip...
07/20/2023

This Saturday, oft-overlooked artists take over the in the inaugural DisFest, a daylong festival featuring multidisciplinary work by artists with disabilities.

This Saturday, oft-overlooked artists take over the Chicago Cultural Center in the first DisFest, a daylong festival featuring multidisciplinary work by artists with disabilities. Thirty artists will be featured in pop-up performances, short film screenings, exhibitions, and lead open workshops in i...

The inaugural, free DisFest this Saturday is fully accessible including wheelchair  access, ASL, captioning, audio descr...
07/18/2023

The inaugural, free DisFest this Saturday is fully accessible including wheelchair access, ASL, captioning, audio description, a quiet space and “What To Expect” preview.

Ladonna Freidheim Robby Lee Williams Lucas Greeff, Ashaand Simone, Jorge Niedas Event: ReinventAbility presents DisFest 2023 Saturday, July 22 1:30 – 5 p.m. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washingto…

07/17/2023

Exquisite Canvas: Mural Takeover by Cecilia Beaven, Miguel A. Del Real, and Anna Murphy is open through August 6 on the 1st floor Michigan Avenue Galleries!
Watch three talented Chicago artists develop original murals throughout the period of exhibition. See the full video at YouTube.com/ChicagoDCASE and learn more at ChicagoCulturalCenter.org.

The   will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th in observation of our Independence Day. Normal hours will resume on Wednesday,...
07/02/2023

The will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th in observation of our Independence Day. Normal hours will resume on Wednesday, July 5th.

06/29/2023
Join us this Monday!
06/23/2023

Join us this Monday!

Monday, June 26, 3:30-5:00pm
Exhibit Hall, 4th Floor North
Join Chicago Police Torture Archive managing editor Maira Khwaja + "Surviving the Long Wars" co-curators Ronak Kapadia and Aaron Hughes for an activation of Mariam Ghani and Chitra Ganesh’s collaborative project, the "Index of the Disappeared," a physical archive of post-9/11 disappearances and a mobile platform for public dialogue.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/long_wars.html

A full evening of music business knowledge will be passed on this Friday evening at the FREE annual Chicago House Music ...
06/21/2023

A full evening of music business knowledge will be passed on this Friday evening at the FREE annual Chicago House Music Conference! See below for a list of panels.

Monday, June 26, 3:30-5:00pmExhibit Hall, 4th Floor NorthJoin Chicago Police Torture Archive managing editor Maira Khwaj...
06/20/2023

Monday, June 26, 3:30-5:00pm
Exhibit Hall, 4th Floor North
Join Chicago Police Torture Archive managing editor Maira Khwaja + "Surviving the Long Wars" co-curators Ronak Kapadia and Aaron Hughes for an activation of Mariam Ghani and Chitra Ganesh’s collaborative project, the "Index of the Disappeared," a physical archive of post-9/11 disappearances and a mobile platform for public dialogue.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/long_wars.html

Join us for the final performances of the Dance Residency Open Studio Series! We'll be in the studio from June 24-26 wit...
06/19/2023

Join us for the final performances of the Dance Residency Open Studio Series!
We'll be in the studio from June 24-26 with Tango 21 Dance Theater, Christopher Knowlton and Silvita Diaz Brown. See demos of physically integrated tango techniques, 3D multisensory tools, and a complete draft of the project "Ellas Y Yo: Juana Ines".

Event times and more information at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/dance_residency.html

WELCOME! Stop by today, June 15th, 4p-8p as we stay open after hours for an Open House spectacular full of free art acti...
06/15/2023

WELCOME! Stop by today, June 15th, 4p-8p as we stay open after hours for an Open House spectacular full of free art activations, visual art residencies, performance art residencies and a chance to interact with artists in residence at the Dance Studio and Learning Lab.
The Open House also features DJs, hang out spaces, along with building tours. This will be an opportunity for guests to engage with featured artists and explore the building as it comes alive in art!

Join us for a free pre-show event, “Panel Discussion: Ramsey Lewis: Gentleman of Jazz,” from 4:30pm – 5:30pm at the Chic...
06/14/2023

Join us for a free pre-show event, “Panel Discussion: Ramsey Lewis: Gentleman of Jazz,” from 4:30pm – 5:30pm at the Chicago Cultural Center before the Millennium Park Music Series concert on Thursday, June 22nd!

Ramsey Lewis: A Gentleman of Jazz Panel Discussion - free pre-show event before the Millennium Park Music Series show

06/13/2023
06/12/2023

🙈We never have sales.. except for this Thursday 4-7pm! We’re having 20% off in-store only, while we stay open late for the Chicago Cultural Center’s first Open House of the year. (There’s a ton of other things happening!) RSVP at the link in bio!

🥴It feels crazy to be straddling the line between store and gallery, and to try out a very capitalist tactic of having a sale, but here we are!! Come through for our very first and maybe the last sale at Buddy 🫨

The historic   is staying open AFTER HOURS on Thursday, June 15th for a FREE open house event full of special performanc...
06/09/2023

The historic is staying open AFTER HOURS on Thursday, June 15th for a FREE open house event full of special performances + unique chances to interact with the art and artists 4-8pm!
🎨 20% off sale at the “Buddy” local artist shop
🍬 Cafecito & sweets with the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance
📇 The “Traveling Typewriter Lounge”
🎶 Dance residency with Christopher “Mad Dawg” Thomas
+ more — all to the beats of DJs Sparklmami, Blesstonio & Kevin Cosgrove!
Visit www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org for a full rundown and/or to sign up for event updates.

The Dance Residency Open Studio Series is almost coming to a close: if you haven't stopped in yet, here's your chance!Je...
06/07/2023

The Dance Residency Open Studio Series is almost coming to a close: if you haven't stopped in yet, here's your chance!

Jean Wildest will be here on June 12th at 6pm in their final residency showing! "Just a Touch" dancers will be joined by several q***r performance groups to celebrate Chicago Dance Month with an evening of q***r revelry and experimentation.

The following night, Christopher Maddog Thomas - founder of the youth-focused Juke 4 Liberation Project - will be in the studio sharing works-in-progress of two new J4L ensemble dance works, Boogie Wonderland and Homecoming.

More info here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/dance_residency.html

Mark your calendars for a fun, 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥-𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 experience at the People's Palace 4-8p on June 15th!The open house will featu...
06/07/2023

Mark your calendars for a fun, 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥-𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 experience at the People's Palace 4-8p on June 15th!
The open house will feature DJs, artist meet and greets, performances and more!

Open House @ Chicago Cultural Center - artists in residence, music, galleries, shopping, socializing & more

This week's resident artists in the Dance Studio are Tango 21 Dance Theater and Robyn Mineko Williams!Join Tango 21 on S...
05/30/2023

This week's resident artists in the Dance Studio are Tango 21 Dance Theater and Robyn Mineko Williams!

Join Tango 21 on Saturday, June 3 at 11am for a dance demo and brief discussion, where they'll share their work in developing physically integrated social tango techniques.

On Monday, June 5 at 6pm, Robyn Mineko Williams will be joined by Japanese American Service Committee Legacy Center Director, Emma Saito Lincoln, and community volunteer, Toshiko (Tonko) Doi, for an open studio conversation surrounding the historical themes informing her new work, Hisako's House.

More info here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/dance_residency.html

Big news! The People's Palace will be holding a FREE Open House on June 15th offering a later hours experience of artist...
05/26/2023

Big news!
The People's Palace will be holding a FREE Open House on June 15th offering a later hours experience of artists-in-residence, music programming, gallery exhibitions, shopping, socializing & more!

Open House @ Chicago Cultural Center - artists in residence, music, galleries, shopping, socializing & more

The   will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of  . Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30th.
05/26/2023

The will be closed on Monday, May 29th in observance of .
Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30th.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Presents: Underground Music ShowcaseLimited seating - RSVP for...
05/22/2023

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Presents: Underground Music Showcase

Limited seating - RSVP for this FREE concert here: https://bit.ly/3McTCCz

Get to know our performing bands: Lightfoils, Seashine, Panda Riot, and Pink Frost!

Join us in the Dance Studio on May 27 from 3-4pm!Silvita Diaz Brown's May program is a work-in-progress of Ellas Y Yo: J...
05/19/2023

Join us in the Dance Studio on May 27 from 3-4pm!

Silvita Diaz Brown's May program is a work-in-progress of Ellas Y Yo: Juana Ines, the first part of her triptych of Mexican women artists. This event offers a glimpse into Silvita’s process to express Ines through movement and how Ines’ music and Silvita’s dance collaborators are helping to build the work.

More info here: https://bit.ly/41MoZd2

New FREE event! Limited seating!The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Presents: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢...
05/17/2023

New FREE event! Limited seating!
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Presents: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 featuring:
Pink Frost
Seashine
Lightfoils
and Panda Riot
RSVP at the link below!

DCASE Presents: Underground Music Showcase

Join Suspended Culture at the 4th floor Sidney R. Yates Gallery this + upcoming Fridays/Saturdays 1p-3p for Open Work da...
05/17/2023

Join Suspended Culture at the 4th floor Sidney R. Yates Gallery this + upcoming Fridays/Saturdays 1p-3p for Open Work dates as part of their Performance Art Residency!

Stop by Sidney R. Yates Gallery where Suspended Culture is at work as our Chicago Cultural Center Performance Art Resident.

Just in time for the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park, join us for a screening + creator Q&A of "Born in C...
05/15/2023

Just in time for the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park, join us for a screening + creator Q&A of "Born in Chicago," a full-length documentary on the Chicago Blues! Friday June 9p at 1pm.
FREE with advance registration.

Full-length documentary on the Chicago Blues, co‐directed by Emmy award-winner John Anderson with Bob Sarles.

05/09/2023
"Like any truly great and ambitious exhibition of contemporary art — which this most assuredly is — Surviving the Long W...
05/08/2023

"Like any truly great and ambitious exhibition of contemporary art — which this most assuredly is — Surviving the Long Wars: 2023 Veteran Art Triennial & Summit is chock-full of fantastic sculptures, videos, paintings, photographs, and installations, sensitively displayed in evocative configurations and storied locations."
Via Hyperallergic

The 2023 Veteran Art Triennial & Summit proves that the tools of the colonizer, the occupier, and the oppressor can be used to resist and persist.

Join us TOMORROW in the dance studio from 3-6pm! Christopher Maddog Thomas will be hosting a community event celebrating...
05/05/2023

Join us TOMORROW in the dance studio from 3-6pm! Christopher Maddog Thomas will be hosting a community event celebrating Juke 4 Liberation youth.

The program will include a panel discussion with four creators from J4L and a preview of Boogie Wonderland and Homecoming.

More info here: https://bit.ly/3yNoCDb

Address

78 E Washington Street
Chicago, IL
60602

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13127446630

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BACK TO THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SPACE!!!
Rhizoma Lab invites you to share your insights and reflections on how the pandemic has affected the use and perception of public space. If you want to contribute, please see all the info at https://backtothefutureofpublicspace.tumblr.com/
and send us your "postcard"!!!

EXTENDED DEADLINE!!! 15th February 2021

best wishes,
Rhizoma - Design Research Lab
Learn how Muuvment can provide critical data for organizations to support their people and make timely decisions. https://www.muuvment.com/check-in?utm_source=thanksforsharing&utm_medium=content
Kites and Strings, the podcast about creativity, was thrilled to interview Luis Sahagun. If you were lucky you caught Luis' exhibit entitled "Both Eagle and Serpent" at the Chicago Cultural Center in early 2020 before COVID closed it. NewCity says his artwork, with titles like Pain is our North Star and An Old God Renewed are "primal amalgamations that hold deep magic." Listen on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0AMUNXLMBWjtqaiKSaGRFZ or wherever you podcast.
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It's always a pleasure to see the different exhibitions on this page! I've visited the Chicago Cultural Center before and it was an experience of a lifetime. Art's role in society is so important and I love supporting artists in any way that I can. I recently came across a film called 'Queen of Hearts' about Audrey Flack, the pioneer of the photorealism movement. The film was very informative and I was able to find it on Film Festival Flix, a streaming platform filled with independent films from previous and upcoming film festivals. The movie was great and I loved hearing about Audrey's journey through the industry. Film Festival Flix is a great site for supporting artists and filmmakers and if anyone has any suggestions on how to support artists, let me know please! :)
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