MCA - About | Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

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</form> </nav> </header> <main aria-label="content" id="content">   <article id="about" class="handbook about page"> <nav data-size="10" class="context"> <ul aria-label="Important Links"> <li> <a href="/about/contact" title="Learn about ways to contact us">Contact</a> </li> </ul> <ol aria-label="Sections on this page"> <li class="article"> <a href="#vision-and-mission">Vision and Mission</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#who-we-are">Who We Are</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#press-room">Press Room</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#employment">Employment</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#internships">Internships</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#partners">Partners</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#building">Building</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#history">History</a> </li> <li class="article"> <a href="#commitments">Commitments</a> </li> <li class="section abstract"> <a href="#funding">Funding</a> </li> </ol> </nav> <header> <h1>About</h1> <blockquote> <p>A museum of contemporary art is different from the general art museum where the values of the past are enshrined. Instead it is a place where new ideas are shown and tested.</p> <p> <small>—Essay by MCA founders, “From Dream to Reality,” 1966</small> </p> </blockquote> </header> <hr/> <p>The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to contemporary art. Here, the public can experience the work and ideas of living artists and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art of our time.</p> <p>Since our inception in 1967, it has been our mission to exhibit new and experimental work in all media, paired with ambitious learning programs. In 1974, the MCA expanded its mission to include collecting and preserving contemporary art for future generations with the inauguration of a collection that has grown to include more than 2,000 works.</p> <p>The MCA engages audiences of today and tomorrow, working closely with our community to create space for dialogue, learning, and growth. Learn more about who we are, the museum’s commitments, and our Community Partnerships and Engagement program.</p> <article id="vision-and-mission" aria-describedby="AAH2" data-size="18" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AAH2"> <a href="/about/mission" title="Read more about Vision and Mission">Vision and Mission</a> </h2> <figure data-id="JR2DCA3Z" style="--aspect-ratio:2.14" class="landscape"> <div data-alt="Museum of Contemporary art facade looking east"> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/JR2DCA3Z/original.jpg" alt="Museum of Contemporary art facade looking east" width="100" height="214" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> </figure> <p>The MCA is an innovative and compelling <dfn>center of contemporary art</dfn> where the public can experience the work and ideas of living artists, and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of the art of our time.</p> </article> <article id="who-we-are" aria-describedby="AA2H2" data-size="10" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA2H2"> <a href="/about/who-we-are" title="Read more about Who We Are">Who We Are</a> </h2> <figure data-id="KMY22AHW" style="--aspect-ratio:1.5" class="landscape"> <div data-alt=""> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/full.webp 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/full.jpg 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY22AHW/original.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="150" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Direct Message Opening Preview Events, 2020</p> <small>Photo Credit: Jeremy Lawson Photography</small> </figcaption> </figure> </article> <article id="press-room" aria-describedby="AA3H2" data-size="10" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA3H2"> <a href="/press" title="Read more about Press Room">Press Room</a> </h2> <figure data-id="IGU7LL8S" style="--aspect-ratio:1.5" class="landscape"> <div data-alt="Rows of black folders with a white logo that reads "MCA-CHIC-AGO" are lined up to repeat "MCA.""> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IGU7LL8S/original.jpg" alt="Rows of black folders with a white logo that reads "MCA-CHIC-AGO" are lined up to repeat "MCA."" width="100" height="150" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Press kits featuring the new identity for the Vision Campaign Press Preview</p> <small>Photo: Braxton Black for Jeremy Lawson Photography © MCA Chicago</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The <dfn>press team</dfn> is always happy to accommodate the needs of the media.</p> </article> <article id="employment" aria-describedby="AA4H2" data-size="10" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA4H2"> <a href="/about/employment" title="Read more about Employment">Employment</a> </h2> <figure data-id="KMY1VBTY" style="--aspect-ratio:0.75" class="portrait"> <div data-alt=""> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY1VBTY/original.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="75" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Reopening Preview Weekend – February 28, 2021</p> <small>Photo Credit: Jeremy Lawson Photography</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p>Explore our <a href="https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=1bc415bb-9ab8-44bd-be21-aa1ba99436eb&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US">job openings</a> or find out more about other ways to get involved through <a href="/about/internships">internships</a> and <a href="/about/volunteering">volunteering</a>.</p> </article> <article id="internships" aria-describedby="AA5H2" data-size="11" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA5H2"> <a href="/about/internships" title="Read more about Internships">Internships</a> </h2> <figure data-id="IVBEEX0D" style="--aspect-ratio:1.5" class="landscape"> <div data-alt="Two young people sit at a table with a PRESS sign. They smile at someone cut off by the frame."> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/full.webp 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/full.jpg 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IVBEEX0D/original.jpg" alt="Two young people sit at a table with a PRESS sign. They smile at someone cut off by the frame." width="100" height="150" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Interns welcome the press for a preview of <cite>Diana Thater: The Sympathetic Imagination</cite></p> <small>Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p>MCA internships provide valuable opportunities to learn how nonprofits operate in the company of like-minded young professionals. Many of our former interns go on to careers in museums and other cultural organizations. On occasion, they even join the MCA staff.</p> </article> <article id="partners" aria-describedby="AA6H2" data-size="8" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA6H2"> <a href="/about/partnerships-and-engagement" title="Read more about Partnerships">Partners</a> </h2>  <figure data-id="KW8ODPOJ" style="--aspect-ratio:1.5" class="landscape"> <div> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KW8ODPOJ/original.jpg" alt="Members of A Long Walk Home and Teen Creative Agency sit and stand on a lawn" width="100" height="150" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>TCA and Girlfriends Leadership Institute at event in the MCA Garden on May 22nd, 2021.</p> <small>Photo: Vivian Zamora</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p>The MCA is deeply committed to supporting the community that we live in and serve, and we are constantly working to encourage voices that can lead to social change. Partnerships and Engagement is a program intentionally designed to partner with diverse, Chicago-based organizations to foster creative collective experiences. Our partners below include grassroots organizations and historically underrepresented communities and groups. These partners host conversations, workshops, talks, and gatherings that provide space for Chicagoans to collaborate on projects. Centering community voices throughout the development of exhibitions and programs, MCA Partners provide meaningful feedback on the museum’s ongoing work and mission.</p> </article> <article id="building" aria-describedby="AA7H2" data-size="8" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA7H2"> <a href="/about/building" title="Read more about the MCA's Building">Building</a> </h2> <figure data-id="ICF36T6Q" style="--aspect-ratio:1.34" class="landscape"> <div data-alt="An aerial photograph captures views of the MCA, Lake Michigan, and surrounding buildings."> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/full.webp 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/full.jpg 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/ICF36T6Q/original.jpg" alt="An aerial photograph captures views of the MCA, Lake Michigan, and surrounding buildings." width="100" height="134" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Designed by architect Josef Paul Kleihues and completed in June 1996, the MCA's cast aluminum and limestone facade stands out against the surrounding glass towers</p> <small>Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p><b>Josef Paul Kleihues</b> <span class="bio">(1933–2004)</span> was born in Westphalia, Germany, and studied architecture in Germany and France. He taught in his native country as well as at New York's Cooper Union. After Germany's reunification in 1989, he participated in Berlin's “critical reconstruction,” which advocated following the preexisting scale but with contemporary construction methods and materials. Kleihues established a reputation for bringing functionalism to classical proportions in his elegant buildings—as the MCA so graciously exemplifies.</p> </article> <article id="history" aria-describedby="AA8H2" data-size="7" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA8H2"> <a href="/about/history" title="Read more about our History">History</a> </h2> <figure data-id="IQNV1S0A" style="--aspect-ratio:1.3" class="landscape"> <div data-alt="Black and white photo of a man jumping inside a gallery-like space. His movement is simultaneously projected on a small television."> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/full.webp 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/full.jpg 2400w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/IQNV1S0A/original.jpg" alt="Black and white photo of a man jumping inside a gallery-like space. His movement is simultaneously projected on a small television." width="100" height="130" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> <figcaption> <p>Bruce Nauman, <cite>Jump</cite>. Museum staff member carrying out Nauman's telephoned instructions to perform a movement in front of a video recorder. The videotape was played back during the exhibition in the spot where it was filmed</p> <small>Photo © MCA Chicago</small> </figcaption> </figure> <p>In 1964, a group of collectors, art dealers, artists, art critics, and architects united with a shared belief that the city of Chicago deserved a contemporary art museum dedicated to exploring the new. The institution's founders originally conceived of the museum as a <em>Kunsthalle</em>, or a noncollecting “art hall” that organized and hosted temporary exhibitions of new and experimental artists.</p> </article> <article id="commitments" aria-describedby="AA9H2" data-size="11" data-cwc="1" class="excerpt ref"> <h2 id="AA9H2"> <a href="/about/commitments" title="Read more about Commitments">Commitments</a> </h2> <figure data-id="KMY2MFEW" style="--aspect-ratio:1.28" class="landscape"> <div data-alt=""> <picture> <source type="image/webp" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/display.webp 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/preview.webp 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/thumbnail.webp 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/low.webp 100w"/> <source type="image/jpeg" sizes="75vw" srcset="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/display.jpg 1200w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/preview.jpg 600w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/thumbnail.jpg 256w, https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/low.jpg 100w"/> <img src="https://media.mcachicago.org/image/KMY2MFEW/original.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="128" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div> </figure> <p>The MCA deeply believes in the values of <dfn>inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility</dfn> (<abbr title="inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility">IDEA</abbr>), and we are committed to enacting structural change by turning our beliefs into actions across key areas of the museum including our staff, collection acquisitions and programming, Board of Trustees, and institution-wide work. This page will be updated to reflect both our past commitments and their results, as well as our commitments to future work.</p> </article> <section id="funding" aria-describedby="ASH2" data-size="765" data-cwc="2" class="abstract"> <h2 id="ASH2">Funding</h2> <p>The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum is generously supported by its Board of Trustees; individual and corporate members; private and corporate foundations, including Good Chaos and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and government agencies. Museum capital improvements are supported by a Public Museum Capital Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The MCA acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.</p> <p>Free admission for anyone 18 and under is generously provided by Liz and Eric Lefkofsky and Northern Trust.</p> <p>The MCA is a proud member of Museums in the Park and receives major support from the Chicago Park District.</p> </section> </article> </main> <footer aria-label="museum information"> <section class="titleblock"> <h3> <a href="/" class="logo">MCA Contact Information</a> </h3> <address> <span>Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago</span> <span>220 E Chicago Ave <br/> Chicago <abbr title="Illinois">IL</abbr> 60611</span> </address> </section> <section id="hours" aria-label="Hours" data-size="201" data-cwc="1"> <h3>Hours</h3> <section id="museum-hours" aria-describedby="AS1S1SH4" data-size="60" data-cwc="1"> <h4 id="AS1S1SH4">Museum Hours</h4> <ul> <li>Tue 10 am–9 pm</li> <li>Wed–Sun 10 am–5 pm</li> <li>Mon Closed</li> </ul> </section> <section id="store-hours" aria-describedby="AS1S1S2H4" data-size="62" 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