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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) is one of the largest contemporary art venues in the world. Established in 1967, it is located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The museum features a wide range of contemporary visual art, including painting, sculpture, photography, video and performance art. Notable exhibitions have included works by artists such as Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman and Takashi Murakami. The MCA also hosts educational programs, public events, and performances aimed at fostering an appreciation for contemporary art.

A colorful architectural mural with many stylized windows

Artist Edie Fake Imagines a Gender Affirming Future at Chicago’s MCA

The vibrant facade of his 'The Free Clinic for Gender Affirming Care' blurs fantasy and architecture to envision a different kind of sanctuary.
By Noah Berlatsky
The front steps of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago are covered in bright yellow with bold black text reading “MUSEUMS ARE NOW,” transforming the staircase into a striking graphic statement. The museum’s glass façade and surrounding high-rise reflections are visible in the background.

Putting Community First: Lessons On Institutional Sustainability From MCA Chicago

With its commitment to inclusivity and artist-first ethos, the MCA has become a cornerstone of Chicago’s fast-growing cultural ecosystem.
By Elisa Carollo
An Amiga computer system from the 1980s is displayed with its monitor showing a colorful, pixelated digital artwork of a person’s face, accompanied by a keyboard, mouse, and cables, showcasing early personal computing and digital art capabilities.

One Fine Show: ‘The Living End, Painting and Other Technologies, 1970-2020’ at MCA Chicago

This show implies that painting is not only a thriving medium but also our culture's greatest illusion.
By Dan Duray
A photo of three women standing close together in an art gallery. The woman on the left is wearing a bright pink coat over a graphic top, has long blonde hair in a high ponytail, and looks directly at the camera with a slight smile. The woman in the middle has long, wavy brown hair, wears a black jacket over a yellow plaid crop top, and smiles warmly. The woman on the right wears a sparkling green blouse with a long necklace, has blonde shoulder-length hair, and smiles brightly. The gallery background is clean and minimal, with white walls and a figure slightly visible behind them.

The Whirlwind Rise of Abby Pucker, Chicago’s Next-Gen Pritzker Art Apostle

By Andy Vasoyan
A photo of a woman in a surreal costume, wearing a jug-like headpiece and holding a spray bottle, standing next to a TV screen in front of a vibrant pink and green background.

‘The Living End’ at Chicago’s MCA Celebrates the Relevance and Irrelevance of Painting

By Noah Berlatsky
a cozy dining area with a rustic and intimate ambiance. The centerpiece is a wine press framed by lattice-style windows and rich drapery. Shelves filled with wine bottles and potted plants enhance the atmosphere, while a table is set with glassware and a red fondue pot, evoking a warm and inviting scene.

10 Cozy Spots in Chicago to Experience the Best of the Winter Season

By Kristine Hansen
Image of a crane in a park.

Nicole Eisenman Unveils ‘Fixed Crane’ in Madison Square Park

By Elisa Carollo
Image of two girls dressed up.

Activating Chicago: How One Cultural Agency Is Transforming the City’s Art Scene

By Elisa Carollo
Image of a totemic statue similar to pre columbian archeology standing in a room with yellow lights

Teiger Foundation Announces $4 Million for Curatorial Projects and Climate Initiatives

By Elisa Carollo
A painting depicting marble statues cannibalizing themselves

How Artist Andrea Carlson Heals Landscapes By Dismantling and Reassembling Them

By Noah Berlatsky

Observer’s Guide to the Must-Visit Museums and Art Experiences in Chicago

By Nick Hilden

New Nicole Eisenman Work Debuts in Paris Parallel to Her MCA Show

By Sarah Moroz

The Most Influential People in the Art World Today

By Dan Duray, Farah Abdessamad, Christa Terry and The Editors
Black and white photographs of man in corduroy suit and glasses

Collectors Marilyn and Larry Fields Make a Major Gift of 79 Works to MCA Chicago

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly

Before He Died, Off-White Founder Virgil Abloh Changed Contemporary Art

By Helen Holmes

Artist Christina Quarles Questions What It’s Like to Live In a Body

By Sara Radin

MCA Chicago Finds a Surprise Blockbuster With Virgil Abloh Fashion Exhibition

By Helen Holmes

How Laurie Simmons’ Photographs Opened Our Eyes

By Sara Radin
Jim Shaw, Martian Portraits, 1978

From Warhol’s Pop Masterpieces to Manny Farber’s ‘Termite Art,’ the 15 Must-See Exhibitions of Fall 2018

By Paddy Johnson
Egon Schiele, Selbstbildnis mit Lampionfrüchten (Self-Portrait with Chinese Lantern Plant), 1912. Oil, opaque color on wood.

12 Must-See Art Museum Exhibitions in 2018

By Margaret Carrigan
Frank Ocean performs at the Oya music festival in Oslo, on August 9, 2012.

Was Frank Ocean’s ‘Lens’ Cover Art Inspired by Kerry James Marshall?

By Alanna Martinez
Marc Ecko, MCA Chief Curator Michael Darling, Takashi Murakami, and MCA Director Madeleine Grynsztejn.

The Self-Deprecatory Octopus: Murakami in New York

By Scott Indrisek
Rashid Johnson photographed at Hauser & Wirth Gallery, 511 West 18th St., New York, New York, August 25th, 2016.

Anxious Man: Rashid Johnson on Navigating Worry, Violence and Parenthood

By Alanna Martinez
Martin Creed, Work No. 2630 UNDERSTANDING, (2016).

British Art Star Martin Creed to Light Up Brooklyn Waterfront With Giant Neon Sign

By Alanna Martinez
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