Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute today

The Art Institute of Chicago currently exists both as a world-class museum and a renowned, independent school of fine arts.

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The School

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a professional college of the visual and related arts, accredited since 1936 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and since 1944 (charter member) by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Related Topics:
1936 - North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - 1944 - National Association of Schools of Art and Design

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The Museum

Today, the museum is most famous for its collection of Impressionist and American paintings, such as Claude Monet's Haystacks, Georges Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Grant Wood's American Gothic and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks.

Related Topics:
Claude Monet - Georges Seurat - Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte - Grant Wood - American Gothic - Edward Hopper - Nighthawks

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However, the museum has much more than paintings. In the basement are the Thorne Rooms, exact miniatures demonstrating American and European architectural and furniture styles. On the main floor is the George F. Harding collection of arms and armor reflecting armaments throughout the Medieval period.

Related Topics:
Thorne Rooms - Architectural - George F. Harding - Armaments - Medieval period

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The Art Institute's famous western entrance on Michigan Avenue is guarded by two bronze lion statues created by Edward L. Kemeys. When a Chicago sports team makes the playoffs, the lions are frequently dressed in that team's uniform. Just inside the eastern doors is a reconstruction of the trading room of the old Chicago Stock Exchange. Designed by Louis Sullivan in 1894, the Exchange was torn down in 1972. Salvaged portions of the original room were brought to the Art Institute and reconstructed. Leaving the Art Institute through the east doors at the end of the driveway is the Stock Exchange entrance, the only other piece of this Chicago landmark salvaged by preservationists.

Related Topics:
Michigan Avenue - Bronze - Lion - Edward L. Kemeys - Chicago Stock Exchange - Louis Sullivan - 1894 - 1972

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