Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium

Year of Public Art

Looks like this event has already taken place.

,

Chicago, IL

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have declared 2017 as the "Year of Public Art" in Chicago with a new 50x50 Neighborhood Arts Project, the creation of a Public Art Youth Corps, a new Public Art Festival, exhibitions, performances, tours and more. The citywide celebration commemorates the 50th anniversary of two of our most seminal public artworks - the Picasso in Daley Plaza and the Wall of Respect which once stood at 43rd Street and Langley Avenue on the South Side - and highlights the important role that public art has played in Chicago's history.

Highlights

  • Chicago Cultural Center exhibit 50x50 Invitational, featuring works by 50 artists representing all 50 wards (February - April)
  • Chicago Cultural Center exhibit The Wall of Respect, chronicling how 14 artists designed and produced the seminal mural for and within Chicago's black South Side communities in 1967 (March - July)
  • DCASE murals exhibit highlighting the murals of Pilsen, Little Village and other vibrant Latino communities in Chicago
  • DuSable Museum of African American History's Project RESPECT, exploring its impact on Chicago's history and the Black Arts Movement and will culminate with the creation of a mural by several local artists (February - October)
  • Out of Site Chicago will present a series of performances in neighborhoods throughout the city, activating public spaces with dance and movement (April)
  • South Side Community Art Center will host a day of art-making, biking and public art (May)
  • Special event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the iconic Picasso sculpture on Daley Plaza (August)
  • National Museum of Mexican Art will join Yollocalli Arts Reach to celebrate 20 years of providing free youth programming to the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods - with a zine chronicling the public art created by Yollocalli youth over the past 20 years (October)
  • A symposium for public art practitioners is being planned - and a new Public Art Festival will offer dozens of free activities for families and public art aficionados (Fall)

Places to stay nearby...

JW Marriott Chicago

Chicago

Read more about JW Marriott Chicago

Hampton Majestic Chicago Theater District

Chicago

Read more about Hampton Majestic Chicago Theater District

W Chicago City Center

Chicago

Read more about W Chicago City Center

You might also be interested...

Chinatown Summer Fair

Jul 28 @ 10AM

This iconic event is one of the most ethnically unique outdoor events in Chicago and the Midwest. Attracting more than 40,000 people from throughout the region.

Read more about Chinatown Summer Fair

Lollapalooza

Grant Park •  Aug 01 – Aug 04

Each year at Lollapalooza, some of the top names in alternative, hip hop, punk and pop join more than 170 bands and musicians in Grant Park…

Read more about Lollapalooza

Chicago Air and Water Show

Aug 10 – Aug 11

The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by the City of Chicago is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. The show…

Read more about Chicago Air and Water Show

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.