Illinois Art Museums Links

If you live in Illinois or are ever visiting here, you may want to visit one or more of the following art museums. It is no surprise that most of these museums are located in or around Chicago.

The Art Institute of Chicago

Not only is the Art Institute of Chicago the premier art museum in Illinois, it is one of the premier art museums in the United States. Located on Chicago's lake front, the museum is just south of Millennium Park.

Block Museum of Art

The Block Museum of Art is located on the grounds of Northwestern University in Evanston and just a good stone throw from Lake Michigan. Best of all, there is free parking on weekends.

Elmhurst Art Museum

Located in the west suburbs of Chicago, the Elmhurst Art Museum was established in its current location in 1990. Current and past art exhibitions are listed on their web site.

Illinois State Museum

The Illinois State Museum is a general purpose museum located in Springfield, the state capitol. It does maintain the ISM Chicago Gallery and Artisans Shop in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Located in downtown Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art is Illinois' museum to visit for contemporary art. But if you've only got one day for art, I recommend the Art Institute of Chicago

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Another museum located in downtown Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Photography was founded by Columbia College in 1984.

Krannert Art Museum

The University of Illinois' Krannert Art Museum is located on the university's campus in downstate Champaign.

Loyola University Museum of Art

The Loyola University Museum of Art is a relatively new museum (2005) and is located at Loyola's downtown Chicago campus.

Northern Illinois University Art Museum

Located in Altgeld Hall (the castle) on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, the NIU Art Museum's permanent collection is composed largely of 20th century art.

Oriental Institute MuseumOriental Institute

A part of the University of Chicago, the Oriental Institute Museum is dedicated to the art and archaeology of the Near East.

Rockford Art Museum

Located in the northwestern Illinois city of Rockford, this art museum focuses on American and regional art.

Smart Museum

The Smart Museum is a part of the University of Chicago and is located at the Hyde Park campus. And for anyone visiting the University of Chicago by car, good luck finding parking.