The Chicago Cultural Center, opened in 1897, is a Chicago Landmark building operated by Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events that houses the city's official reception venue where the Mayor of Chicago has welcomed Presidents and royalty, diplomats and community leaders. It is located in the Loop, across Michigan Avenue from Millennium Park. Originally the central library building, it was converted in 1977 to an arts and culture center at the instigation of Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg. The city's central library is now housed across the Loop in the spacious, postmodern Harold Washington Library Center opened in 1991.
As the nation's first free municipal cultural center, the Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city's most popular attractions and is considered one of the most comprehensive arts showcases in the United States. Each year, the Chicago Cultural Center features more than 1,000 programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts. It also serves as headquarters for the Chicago Children's Choir. MB Real Estate provides events management for the center.
Monday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Friday | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Pet Detective | Feb 21, 2018
This is an absolutely beautiful building with detail architecture beyond imagination. This is an amazing place to take pictures or have special event pictures taken like an engagement announcement or baby announcements. The Mosaic work is spectacular. When we visited there was a wedding reception and pictures going on so some of the building was closed off. But the grand staircases at are spectacular. A great place to visit to see Chicago's Finest.
Ebonie Poythress | Feb 18, 2018
The Chicago Cultural Center, formerly the Chicago Public Library, is truly a beautiful building! The two main points of interest are the two huge glass mosaic domes in the GAR Memorial Hall and the Preston Bradley Hall. There is an art exhibit on the top floor and there are several other artworks featured throughout the building. They offer free guided tours at various hours throughout the day. It's definitely a great place to take beautiful photos and they even have an event center!
Zulhaj Choudhury | Jan 20, 2018
I love this place. Our firm has held its holiday party here the past few years and it's always been a blast. The venue is very elegant, and the rooms are large. I've been here for an art gallery and it's always been a good time. It's right near Millennium Park, so if you're in the area and there's an event going on, definitely check it out.
Sumy Guzman | Jan 24, 2018
Been here on several occasions! Everything I've done here has been absolutely FREE- including the bus tour to Wisconsin to walk through Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks. Anywhere else, I would have been charged entrance fees, transportation fees, etc. The Chicago Cultural Center only asks that one arrive on time & give a courtesy call/e-mail if one can't make an event to allow another guest the opportunity to visit. CCC, I love you!
Miranda Kissling | Mar 3, 2018
I loved walking though this expansive place and admiring the architectural details. We ended up at a nice indoor courtyard with tables where we could enjoy our packed lunch. Fyi: There wasn't much art on display and one of the exhibits was NOT kid-friendly.
Charlotte Leah | Mar 8, 2018
This is an excellent diamond in the rough across from Millennium Park. Oh, and It's Free! So if you have friends and/or family coming in from out of town, this is an excellent out of the way tourist spot. The Tile work and Tiffany dome (the largest in North America I believe) is eye catching and stunning. Being the old Chicago Library (1897) it still has the names of the old poets from history on the walls and makes a fantastic backdrop for pictures. It is also a great spot to get free booklets of what is happening in the city and surrounding areas. I usually drop by when they have been exhibiting art on the upper floors, it is usually international or eccentric work you won't see anywhere else. So I highly recommend checking it out when downtown Chicago.
Kendra Broadwater | Mar 18, 2018
This is one of my favorite places in Chicago. It's self guided and showcases crazy beautiful mosaic work. if you want to explore a little before getting to the gorgeous part, go in the north entrance. If you want to start at the literary-inspired tile art, go in the south entrance. For the best experience, time your visit to match with one of the guided tours.
John Wunderlich | Mar 15, 2018
Every Wednesday they have a free concert at the noon hour. It's called the Dame Myra Hess series. If you're in the Chicagoland area make sure in hit one of them. They are tremendous. Located in the Old Chicago downtown public library at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. The building is well worth the visit alone. Many of the decorations we're done by LC Tiffany. They will give tours of the building also.
Patryk Slomczynski | Apr 1, 2018
It's free to come here and that is awesome. Rare for anything to be free anymore now days. We came here after getting married downtown to take pictures with the whole family. They turned out great. What an excellent day. After that we continued east towards millennium park.
Gary Keck | Apr 29, 2018
While it is not really a museum nor a theatre, it does offer some small (and every interesting) exhibitions and movies/lectures regularly. All the events are totally free. Even you are just passing by and not coming here for any exhibitions or lectures, you can still just walk in and admire it beautiful dome.
Lindsey Mentzer | Apr 23, 2018
Beautiful building and windows. I wish I could have seen it as a library. While it's a nice visit, the artist galleries were limited, and we didn't spend a ton of time there. The staff watching over the art was really friendly, and I think I talked to them more than anyone at the Art Institute.
Jeffrey LeFors | Jun 14, 2018
I absolutely loved stopping into this building, which is the old Chicago Public Library. The marble entryway and staircase off of Washington Street is impressive. Both of the glass domes, made of Tiffany glass I believe, were a highlight as well as the detailed mosaic work. Additional we saw 5 distinctly different art exhibits...which was a nice surprise. Each exhibit was unique. I wish the Story Corp section had been open while we were there.
Crystal Ruiz | Jun 4, 2018
Beautiful architecture. Art displays were varied. Great time. Multiple events happen here. Check their schedule. We were present for a horns chamber ensemble. Educational and extremely enjoyable!
CK Palani | Jun 5, 2018
This place is a gem. There's always something interesting. Different exhibits to see during the day. Dane Myra Hess concerts at lunch time on Wednesdays. Performances and foreign movies at night. One has to visit here if you're a Chicagoan.
Jennifer HernandeztI | Jun 10, 2018
Unrivalled views of the city's top attractions and fire pits to make an already amazing view spectacular. The coffee bar on the first floor have donuts the size of your head and specialty coffee with unique flavors. The coffee shop its self is worth the visit.
Jacob Sklarsky | Jun 30, 2018
The exhibit we saw was excellent. It was the "Great Lakes" exhibit. The pieces were profound and visually stunning. The Cultural Center was very well maintained, well staffed and clean. The visit was a true pleasure. I hope to return soon and recommend a visit to anyone considering one.
Ellen Mardula | Jul 15, 2018
Beautiful architecture inside this building. Plus they have exhibits that change so you can stop by more than once a year and see different things. We got to see a lot of art exhibits when we went. It was great, even my 3 year old loved it.
Odalyz Sanchez | Jul 10, 2018
Beautiful building! I stumbled upon it 5 years ago and I love going every once in a while because the exhibits change periodically, and they also have very interactive exhibits. If you ever come between art shows the building itself is enough to marvel at. Great location too
Leona Fernandes | Jul 2, 2018
This is one of my favorite place in Chicago. The architecture is beautiful. The Tiffany glass ceiling mind blowing. The cultural center has these walking tours which are very informative, we'll organized and a must go for anyone wanting a local raw experience of Chicago.
catherinanguyen | Aug 8, 2018
Beautiful building full of history. I love that they offer different tours. We did the one that took you through the cultural center and around the city. It was informative and exciting to get history behind all the buildings on the way. I would recommend doing the tour and going back on your own and checking the building out at your own pace. There's so much to see you can easily spend a day there.
Chinh Chinh | Aug 4, 2018
One of the most beautiful places I visited was actually the Chicago Cultural Center. It's a free building to enter and explore and the architecture and everything inside it is just beautiful. It's definitely something to look at. There was even an art exhibit going on at the time, featuring Keith Haring, whose work I recognize all over NYC. They had an art table set up for you to draw your own art and stick it on the wall.
Gabrielle Nance | Jul 30, 2018
Cool place! It's always free and a perfect place to do work or get out of the summer heat for a bit. Facilities are clean and well stocked. Not a lot of exhibits. The entire museum can be seen in 1-2 hrs. Nice for a quick trip, but don't plan your day around going to this museum. You'll have a short day.
Alexander Scott | Aug 8, 2018
Completely free of charge, this place has some stunning exhibits. I originally came in just to find shelter from the rain but I am so glad that I chose to come here instead of a Starbucks. Apart from the exhibits, the architecture of the building and its various wings are phenomenal. If you haven't been already then be sure to go. I would be a regular if I lived in Chicago.
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