The time of the year-end list is here. These collections are frequently a symbol and reminder of not only the work done the past year, but also years prior. At the MCA, the end of 2018 also reminded us of the months—if not years—of effort that went into our many diverse offerings.

Notably, artist Kerry James Marshall and his major survey Mastry continued to make “best of” lists in 2018, despite the fact that the exhibition closed at LA MOCA in 2017. Powerful storytelling continued on the MCA Stage this year with Dorothée Munyaneza’s choreographic work Unwanted. “Some shows stay with you long after the curtain falls,” remarked critic Lauren Warnecke in her roundup of the “Best in Chicago dance in 2018” for the Chicago Tribune. The virtual reality–based artwork Transdimensional Serpent by Jon Rafman, on view this past year in I Was Raised on the Internet, represents the spirit of 2018 according to Metropolis Magazine‘s “The Year in Exhibitions”.

Read below for more acknowledgements of artists featured at the MCA, notable exhibitions, and delicious dining experiences.

ARTISTS AND EXHIBITIONS

• Dorothée Munyaneza/Kadidi, Unwanted
  Chicago Tribune, “Best of Chicago Dance” List
• Okwui Okpokwasili
  MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship Recipient
• Kerry James Marshall and Judy Chicago
  Artsy, “The Most Influential Artists of 2018”
• Enrico David: Gradations of Slow Release
  Chicago Tribune, “Best Museum Exhibits 2018”
• Kerry James Marshall: Mastry
  Chicago Tribune, “Best in Visual Art”
• Porpentine Charity Heartscape, The Shape You Make When You Want Your Bones to Be Close to the Surface
  ARTnews, “The Year in Screens”

CITY GUIDES AND TOURISM

• Chicago Magazine, “The Four Best Places to Work Remotely in Chicago”
• The New York Times, “36 Hours in Chicago”
• Condé Nast Traveler, “15 Best Museums in Chicago”
• Departures, “Best Museums in Chicago”
• TimeOut, “10 best Chicago museums”

DINING

• Bon Appétit, “The Top 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants 2018”
• Modern Luxury, “10 Most Exciting New Restaurants”
• Condé Nast Traveler, “31 Best Restaurants in Chicago”
• Chicago Magazine, “Best New Restaurants”
• TimeOut, “The 27 best restaurants in Chicago you have to try”
• USA Today, “New in Chicago: Attractions, Hotels and Restaurants for 2018”

Each of us experiences art differently—what was your most memorable experience at the MCA this past year? Tweet it to us: @mcachicago.