Official page for the landmark Chicago Cultural Center (aka "The People's Palace"). Visit t 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.
Operating as usual
More love for Buddy at the Chicago Cultural Center and their “Ornaments 4 All” second annual extravaganza created by dozens of Chicago artists! Be sure to stop by for unique gifts and one-of-a-kind ornaments.
Or watch “A Magical Cirque Christmas” and “Bluey’s Big Play” or attend The Color Is: Renaissance Weekend event.
Calling all Chicagoland performing artists... 👇
Key City marketing staff will go through the resource guide in detail and will be available to answer questions from the community
"...nearly every exhibit I saw at the Cultural Center of Chicago this year belongs on this list. Of special note was a brave and ballsy retrospective of the painter Robert Colescott; “Instrument in the Shape of a Woman,” featuring the wildly inventive work of Leslie Baum, Diane Christiansen and Selina Trepp; the doggedly quiet observations of photographer Jin Lee; and, on view through the new year, Nelly Agassi’s surreal observations about architecture, plants and the female body."
Here are the shows I loved and learned from most this year.
Meet An Artist continues in the Learning Lab this Friday (12/9) and Saturday (12/10) from 12-2pm with Fernando Ramirez, in partnership with Project Onward.
Ramirez is known for his commissioned art portraits and colorful scenes of Chicago. As part of INVEST South/West, he was selected by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as the Back of the Yards Artist in Residence. Learn more about Ramirez and his work here: https://www.projectonward.org/fernando-ramirez
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/learning_lab.html
Join us for the FINAL session of the Resilience Series with Mecca Perry in G.A.R. Hall on December 12, 6-7pm. Elevated Meditation Studio
This sound meditation session is FREE and open to the public: please bring your own mat, bottled water, blankets, and anything you need to be comfortable with laying down or sitting for about 45 minutes.
Walk-ins are welcome. For more information and pre-registration, visit: https://bit.ly/3GYsbeH
Friday (12/2) and Saturday (12/3) at 2pm at the 1st floor Welcome Center!
Supporting the history, culture, vibrancy, and identity of communities of color in greater Chicago, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago.
SRBCC offers weekly and monthly percussion classes, live music events, and community workshops that promote cultural understanding through artistic expression, keeping youth and professional teaching artists safe, with meaningful opportunities to create, present and produce art.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Clq1oaOLWGM/
This is so cool!
Guest host Kumail Nanjiani spoke with owner Steph Krim on The Kelly Clarkson Show about Good Things Vending — the local artist vending machine. Check out the clip and be sure to visit OURS in the 1st floor Welcome Center!
Good Things Vending is creating an easy and affordable way for the city of Chicago to support local artists by taking out the chips and candy from vending ma...
Join us for Pocket Con this Saturday — The FREE comic convention that celebrates characters and creators of color!
The free comic convention that celebrates characters and creators of color
Join us for the final session of the Resilience Series with Mecca Perry in G.A.R. Hall on December 12, 6-7pm. Elevated Meditation Studio
This sound meditation session is FREE and open to the public: please bring your own mat, bottled water, blankets, and anything you need to be comfortable with laying down or sitting for about 45 minutes.
For more information and pre-registration, please visit: https://bit.ly/3GYsbeH
The Soul of Philanthropy, an exhibition coming to the Chicago Cultural Center in early 2023, is accepting nominations for local philanthropists to be featured in the “Rooted in Chicago” component. Nominations are accepted online through Nov. 30.
The Soul of Philanthropy, an exhibition coming to the Chicago Cultural Center in early 2023, is accepting nominations for local philanthropists to be featured in the “Rooted in Chicago” component. Nominations are accepted online through Nov. 30. The Soul of Philanthropy, hosted by Chicago Africa...
Barak will be in the Welcome Center today (11/25) and tomorrow (11/26) as part of CULTURE SNAPS, which features people, places and things nominated and recognized for a cultural contribution to their neighborhood’s vitality.
Louis Barak’s artwork incorporates subject matter from his own experiences and includes a range of positive and negative themes ranging from disenfranchised youth, racism, antisemitism, and addiction to the beauty of life, love, and family.
The Chicago Cultural Center will be closed on Thursday, November 24th in observance of . Normal hours will resume on Friday, November 25th.
"Exact Dutch Yellow" is one of the newest art exhibits at the Chicago Cultural Center. Its theme is the subjectivity of colors. It is just one of many programs, exhibits and events that are available free during the 125th anniversary of the center. Tim McGill toured the exhibit for Good Day Chicago.
, the FREE comic convention that celebrates characters and creators of color returns to the People's Palace Saturday, December 3rd!
The free comic convention that celebrates characters and creators of color
"𝗜𝗻𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲: 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗟𝘂𝗶"
A conversation between architects Armel Sagbohan and Ann Lui about the new exhibition, "Pullman: Conscious Revitalization of the Overlooked."
This Saturday, November 12th at 1:30p. Chicago Architecture Biennial
A conversation between architects Armel Sagbohan and Ann Lui about the new exhibition, Pullman: Conscious Revitalization of the Overlooked.
This Saturday, November 12 at 2pm, join us for a panel discussion featuring the artists of new exhibition, "Luftwerk: Exact Dutch Yellow" Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero in addition to Kleijn and Kohl. Moderated by Marin R. Sullivan
Luftwerk
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/dutch_yellow.html
Join us next Monday, November 14, in G.A.R. Hall for Resilience Series 2022 with Red Clay Dance Company! BODYTALK is a movement and dialogue based workshop rooted in building resilience through African Diaspora embodiment practices. Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/resilience_series.html
Register here for this free event: https://bit.ly/3EbA3Yx
It's not too late to join us for DOC Chicago TOMORROW at the Chicago Cultural Center! This annual gathering for and by Midwest documentary filmmakers provides a space to connect, learn, and share ideas.
More information about this FREE event here: http://www.docchicago.com/2022-schedule.html
The 9th annual Intl. Film Festival is almost here, packed with greatness and talented filmmakers from in and outside of Chicago! Join us on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater, presented by Nebula Creatives.
Get yourself a FREE seat today: https://filmfreeway.com/Shortcut100/tickets
Join us this Saturday at 3pm as John McCowen performs new solo works for contrabass clarinet in conjunction with our new exhibition, "Nelly Agassi: No Limestone, No Marble."
John McCowen performs new solo works for contrabass clarinet from his "Models of Duration."
Opens TODAY!
"Luftwerk: Exact Dutch Yellow"
Exhibition Hall, 4th Floor North
An offering from Petra Bachmaier & Sean Gallero of Luftwerk Studio.
Exact Dutch Yellow is a new immersive exhibition by the Chicago-based collaborative Petra Bachmaier & Sean Gallero of Luftwerk Studio. Drawing upon the scientific history of color and color theory, the exhibition explores how we perceive the natural world today. A series of sculptural light installations using botanical pigments and dynamic, changing light conditions will transform Exhibit Hall into abstracted, atmospheric chromatic experiences.
A play on words and the act of naming, Exact Dutch Yellow references the inherent difficulties that have always accompanied the classification of color. When the noted English biologist Charles Darwin embarked on his now famous journey aboard the HMS Beagle in the early nineteenth century, he brought along one of the earliest and most influential books to attempt a taxonomic guide to the colors of the natural world: Patrick Syme’s Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours (1814). Based on the groundbreaking work of German geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner, Darwin used the book extensively to help describe flora and fauna he observed, but occasionally improvised the naming of colors, changing for example Werner’s “Dutch Orange,” to “Exact Dutch Yellow.” The title of the exhibition speaks to the subjectivity of description and offers space to contemplate and consider the interconnected ecology of light, color, and nature.
Exhibit Hall will feature a series of immersive color and light installations using botanical colors in combination with color changing light conditions that transform into abstracted, atmospheric experiences. Whether using natural pigments, exploring the phenomenon of light and color in the sky, informed by a holistic perception of the natural world and an interconnected ecology.
TOMORROW! Come enjoy and cheer on some of the best unsigned music talents our City has to offer! FREE!
Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Next Showcase.
Join us at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday 10/22 as local artists and bands showcase their work in front of A&R executives from major & independent labels, talent buyers and producers!
FREE admission! https://bit.ly/3Crs8V6
Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Next Showcase.
FYI the "S**g Show" is currently underway at Buddy at the Chicago Cultural Center!
Buddy is proud to present its next installment of Art 4 Sale The S**g Show, featuring s**g carpets and other products from the artists of Envision Unlimited. This collection of hand-knotted s**g carpets and pillows made of repurposed materials is the result of a twenty-year collaboration between a c...
Today and tomorrow in the Welcome Center. FREE!
"Traverse: An Animatronic Puppet Show and Workshop."
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/welcome_center.html
Join us in the newly-renovated Claudia Cassidy Theater on October 22nd to cheer on these local up-and-comers!
Join us at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday 10/22 as local artists and bands showcase their work in front of A&R executives from major & independent labels, talent buyers and producers!
FREE admission! https://bit.ly/3Crs8V6
Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Next Showcase.
Join us this Saturday for "The Relationship Between Art Making and Mental Health," — the first of a 3-part symposium held in tandem with our current exhibition "Artists First: Twenty-five Years of Studio Art at Thresholds."
"The Relationship Between Art Making and Mental Health" is the first panel in the AFC symposium series.
A new art exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center showcases works created by artists with mental health and substance use conditions as part of their therapy.
Reminder: Please be advised that our exhibition Luftwerk: Exact Dutch Yellow, originally scheduled to open this weekend, will now open on October 22. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you to Exhibit Hall on October 22—January 29, 2023. www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org
This Sunday! 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 & 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: 𝗔 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗱.
3p-4p.
Performance in conjunction with the exhibition "Nelly Agassi: No Limestone, No Marble" at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Join us this Sunday, 10/9 at 3pm for a performance by Nelly Agassi and Ryan Packard!
Part of Agassi's current exhibition "Nelly Agassi: No Limestone, No Marble."
G.A.R. Rotunda and Chicago Rooms, 2nd Floor North, 3-4pm. FREE!
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/agassi.html
This Monday, join us in G.A.R. Hall with Red Clay Dance Company for the Resilience Series 2022! Participants will explore healing and resilience building tools found in the practices of urban agricultural work.
Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/resilience_series.html
Please be advised that our exhibition Luftwerk: Exact Dutch Yellow, originally scheduled to open this weekend, will now open on October 22. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you to Exhibit Hall on October 22—January 29, 2023. www.ChicagoCulturalCenter.org
At the next Thursday and Sunday!
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/elevate.html
What's now, what's next. A cross-town festival of dance made in Chicago.
Now open!
"Nelly Agassi: No Limestone, No Marble."
Chicago Rooms, 2nd Floor North. Funded in part by Artis.
Click below for more info, upcoming performances and gallery talks.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/agassi.html
Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music – Celebrating 10 Years
The largest all-night long presentation of live Indian classical music in the United States. Enjoy the rare opportunity to hear the ragas (traditional scales...
6pm tonight - 8am Saturday morning. Stop by!
The all-night show starts Friday night and ends Saturday morning. It will feature pieces from the northern and southern regions of India.
Very excited for this unique opportunity. Be sure to stop by the 1st floor and participate while also attending tomorrow's Ragamala: A Celebration of Indian Classical Music – Celebrating 10 Years.
Celluloid Now. FREE screenings this weekend!
Saturday, September 17, 2022, 12noon-5pm
Sunday, September 18, 2022, 11am-9pm
Presented in partnership with the Chicago Film Society.
A weekend of screenings, workshops, and other events showcasing the work of analog filmmakers and artists, alongside archival rediscoveries and restorations.
For more information, visit
The Chicago Film Society is proud to welcome you to Celluloid Now: four days of screenings, workshops, and other events showcasing the work of analog filmmakers and artists, alongside archival rediscoveries and restorations.
This Monday, 6-7pm. FREE!
EMOTIONAL ALCHEMY: A Breath & Movement Workshop with Kiam Marcelo. 🙏
Part of the 2022 Resilience Series. Click below for full details.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/resilience_series.html
78 E Washington Street
Chicago, IL
60602
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| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 5pm |
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'An Instrument in the Shape of a Woman' closes after this Sunday, September 4. Be sure to experience this acclaimed exhibit while you still can! Michigan Avenue Galleries, 1st Floor North https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/instrument.html
This Sunday! Special writers workshop with exhibition organizer Annie Morse. Sunday, May 15, 11am-2pm. Michigan Avenue Galleries, 1st Floor East Take a few minutes while visiting the #AmericanWritersFestival to do some creative writing yourself. Paper and pencils will be available in the Michigan Avenue Galleries on the first floor of the Chicago Cultural Center for visitors to write a poem or a short prose piece, using the artwork in 'An Instrument In the Shape of a Woman' for inspiration with exhibition organizer Annie Morse. American Writers Museum https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/instrument.html
Be sure to look out for a new TV documentary (“Restoration”) on Cable25 beginning May 16 about the the newly restored Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Hall and Rotunda! Mondays through Saturdays at 10:30am, Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 6pm.
Find a gift that NO ONE else will find at Buddy at the Chicago Cultural Center! 📿📙👾🎧🎲👜💄 ▶ Handmade, handsewn, hand-painted wares from Chicago artists ranging from toys and jewelry to prints and much more! Visit https://hi-buddy.org/ or stop by the Chicago Cultural Center while your perfect gift is still in stock and can be shipped in time for the holidays. Brought to you by #PublicMediaInstitute, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and 200+ local artists and small manufacturers.
Meet an Artist with Pocket Con artists today! Today’s comics workshop is with Cartoonist #GeorgeGant in the Learning Lab at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Throughout the month of October, three banners on the Michigan Avenue facade of the Chicago Cultural Center will honor the memory of #BreonnaTaylor #SayHerName. They feature a series of images, REST IN PARADISE (BREONNA TAYLOR), created by contemporary artist Carlos Rolón, whose work was the focus of our 2016 exhibition, "I Tell You This Sincerely…" - Free downloads of all three images to print for posters, stickers, banners, etc. - Go to www.carlosrolon.com splash page and click on appropriate link for a high res tiff image or jpeg.
Chicago's cultural historian Tim Samuelson talks about the Center's Washington Street entrance from the materials & design to the names carved into the interior arch. Thanks to City of Chicago BACP Local Origination Cable25.
While we greatly miss having you all here in person, there's still opportunities to learn about The People's Palace in the mean time! Chicago's cultural historian Tim Samuelson talks about the Center's 4th floor Yates Gallery. Thanks to City of Chicago BACP Local Origination Cable25.
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. Even though we're not giving tours at the moment in response to COVID-19, we can still learn more about The People's Palace! Chicago's cultural historian Tim Samuelson discusses the 2nd floor GAR Hall and Rotunda. Thanks to City of Chicago BACP Local Origination Cable25.
This Wednesday! Must have high school I.D. to attend. SocialWorks #2020isYOCM #ChiMusic
The Chicago Jazz Festival has entered the People's Palace! Stop by today for some FREE #ChiJazz before it moves over to Millennium Park! Thursday, 8/29 Claudia Cassidy Theater 11am–Noon - The Red Rose Jazz Band Septet 12:15–1:15pm - Anton Hatwich Trio 1:45–2:45pm - Mai Sugimoto Quartet 3:15–4:15pm - John Wociechowski Preston Bradley Hall 11am–Noon - "What Is This Thing Called Jazz?" Conversation and “Play & Tell” about the Jazz trumpet with Corey Wilkes, Pharez Whitted, Miguel de la Cerna, Micah Collier and Jeremiah Collier 12:30–1:30pm - Alexis Lombre Quintet 2–3pm - Tribute to Joseph Jarman, Alvin Fielder and Saalik–Ziyad 3:30–4:30pm - Curtis Robinson
Our very own Zhen H., Visitor Experience Program Director, is reminding you to stop by our Welcome Center EVERY Fri 2p-4p to record a quick testimonial on why you ❤ #ChiTheatre during this 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre! =>http://bit.ly/2YsNPhL League of Chicago Theatres
The first weekend of performances with hancock & kelly live was an amazing success! Join us Friday–Saturday, April 12–13, 7pm, and Sunday, April 14, 2pm with Augusto Corrieri premiering "Play to delete" responding to "We Got A Date" (1989) 👉 Goat Island Archive World Premiere Performances
So glad the Chicago Jazz Festival is back at the People's Palace! Enjoy plenty of FREE #ChiJazz here and at Millennium Park now through Sunday! www.chicagojazzfestival.us
Just two more weeks to experience "10,000 Kisses" in our 1st floor dance studio! Take a quick break and come see what it's all about! FREE. =>https://bit.ly/2s9HQ2M
Oh my goodness the 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival is in full effect at the People's Palace! Come see/listen for yourself through 4pm and then join us as we move the festivities over to Millennium Park! FREE!
Join us for a special Juicebox children's performance this Friday/Saturday with Gingarte Capoeira, a dance group reflecting the national sport of Brazil! 11am on Friday here at the People's Palace and 11am on Saturday at the Garfield Park Conservatory. FREE admission presented by Lifeway Kefir. Info =>https://bit.ly/2fJnhXL
The Keith Haring Mural installation is happening right now! See you in March! Learn more and make plans here =>http://bit.ly/2Cfx9mV
Sugar Plum Fairies and Mouse Kings of all ages are dancing along to The Nutcracker with Ballet Chicago and the Lakeside Pride at the Chicago Cultural Center
Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only Nellie "Tiger" Travis!!! #ChicagoBluesFestival
Celebration dances of West Africa by Soli Performing Arts Company!
Dir. Patrick Clancy, 1979, looped film: Right now through Saturday! Viewers have a rare opportunity to interact with a 16mm film scroll as well as view a projected image on this newly restored print of 'peliculas.' Patrick Clancy is a multi-media artist that created interactive environments using early computer technology beginning in 1967, and continued working with a variety of media that ultimately informed peliculas, his only project on film. Presented with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in conjunction with the Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS) annual conference.
You will be told this when you attend Court/Garden... "Some of you are more important than others. Some of you have more money. Some are smarter, more beautiful. Some of you depend on this difference. Some of you resist this hierarchy. We invite you to enter." This performance is free and amazing. Tomorrow and Saturday at 730pm. First come, first served so arrive early. More about the show here http://bit.ly/2n79c8J
Today we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at #Juicebox with the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. Now that's how you do a jig!
Happy Chinese New Year!
#Juicebox is back for 2017 and we're starting strong with Four Star Brass Band! This Friday 11am, experience the excitement and share in the joyous traditions of Louisiana as this professional New Orleans-style brass band presents a sizzling show that will inform and delight all ages! Performance is FREE and EASY! We'll see you there. http://bit.ly/2fJnhXL
It is the FINAL WEEK to come witness the three incredible exhibitions on our first floor! Krista Franklin: "Quest for The Marvelous," Tom Denlinger: "Ekstatic Edgewater," and Laura Davis: "Jewelry for My Mother(s) and Other Microaggressions" are up and running for your viewing pleasure free and NOW through this Sunday, January 8th. Here's a "warp drive" version of the experience. Free up 10 minutes and come see!
We're back and open for normal hours all this week! Come check out all the great exhibitions free and accessible such as Parsons & Charlesworth's "Spectacular Vernacular" which has been extended due to popular demand! The exhibition reveals how Parsons & Charlesworth mix their craft and industrial design backgrounds with influences from fiction, science and the arts.
Stephen the intern over at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events was given a task: Absorb as much culture as you possibly can before your gum loses its flavor. With our easy & free access it's not surprising that he chose the Chicago Cultural Center. Watch how he did and then come over to see if you can beat his score!
Friends of Spanish Heritage Speakers
E Lake StreetSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
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Oriental Institute - University of Chicago
E 58th Street
National Public Housing Museum
N Kingsbury Street
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
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Museum of Broadcast Communications
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