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Group of children sitting and kneeling in a gallery raise hands as if to answer a question

Fifth graders from Skinner West Elementary School
discuss a work by John Cage with a teaching artist during a free school tour

Photo: Joshua Longbrake © MCA Chicago

Schools

Our field trips, workshops, and residencies, invite students and teachers to explore, debate, and reflect upon the important ideas that lie at the heart of contemporary art. All programs are free for Illinois K–12 schools and teachers.

Field Trips

Students look and point at a black and white drawing of tropical trees and foliage that is displayed on two walls.

Students from Talcott Elementary discuss Panorama Catatumbo, by Noemí Pérez (2012-2016).

Photo: Nathan Keay

The Museum of Contemporary Art proudly offers free guided field trips with free transportation to Chicago Public Schools. Registration is open for summer 2023 tours; please use the form on this page to request and email [email protected] with questions.

Teachers

People making a structure with tape and long beams of wood

Teachers designed a communal space for learning with artist Faheem Majeed during a Teacher Institute

Photo: Gillian Fry © MCA Chicago

Did you know Illinois elementary and high school teachers receive free admission to the MCA? Simply present a valid teacher ID (or a photograph of your valid teacher ID) at the Admissions desk for free admission to the museum.

SPACE

Curie parade to post office, May 31, 2018

Photo: Braxton Black © MCA Chicago

School Partnership for Art and Civic Engagement, also known as SPACE, is a program created to foster the creative, intellectual, and civic development of students.

Funding

Generous support for school programs is provided by Anne and Chris Reyes; The Crown Family; GCM Grosvenor; Peoples Gas Community Fund; Andrea and Jim Gordon, The Edgewater Funds; Aon; Ariel Investments; the Harris Family Foundation; Illinois Tool Works; JHL Capital Group, LLC; Katten Muchin Rosenman; Graff; Northern Trust; William Blair & Company; the Helen Brach Foundation; Cari and Michael Sacks; and Carol Prins and John Hart/The Jessica Fund.

Major ongoing support is provided by the Cari and Michael J. Sacks Fund for Chicago Public Schools.

William Blair
Northern Trust