Chicago, Illinois - Four new Public Art Tours are being launched this summer to highlight Chicago's renowned collection of sculptures, murals, paintings and other artwork located in neighborhoods throughout the city. Led by a Chicago Public Art Program staff member, the tours explore the role that public art plays in enhancing each community. Tours visit a broad range of work representing a variety of styles, time periods, media, and subject matter, with many pieces created by Chicago artists.
From contemporary sculpture and mosaics to statues and monuments, the work featured on the tours illustrates why Chicago is considered a free "open-air" museum of art. Three tours cover the south, west, and north areas of the city and include work exhibited in public spaces such as transit stations, parks, libraries, senior centers, and police and fire stations.
The fourth tour, in celebration of the Terra Foundation for American Art initiative, the American Art American City tour, examines Chicago's rich legacy of primarily pre -1980 American public art and its patronage. Participants view work in the Loop, South and West Loop, Hyde Park, and Near North areas to learn about its historical and contemporary contexts.
"Like its architecture, Chicago's public art collection is world-class," said Dorothy Coyle, Director, Chicago Office of Tourism. "These new tours invite visitors and residents to discover the city's wonderful public art treasures located downtown and throughout the neighborhoods."
Chicago Public Art Tours are offered through Chicago Neighborhood Tours, half-day bus excursions that highlight the history, traditions, and people of Chicago's diverse communities. Chicago Public Art Tours are on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the summer.
June 4, July 30
Public Art in Communities - South
June 18, August 13
Public Art in Communities - West
July 2, August 27
Public Art in Communities - North
July 16
American Art America City Public Art Tour
All tours depart by motorcoach from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street at Michigan Avenue, at 10 a.m. (check-in at 9:30 a.m.) and return at 1 p.m. Tours include several stops and some walking. Each tour is $20 and includes a copy of The Chicago Public Art Guide. Group rates are available. Reservations are strongly recommended as tours commonly sell out. For more information or reservations, call 312.742.1190 or visit www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com.
Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations and receive trip-planning assistance by calling toll-free 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visiting www.cityofchicago.org/tourism.
Brochures and information on Chicago events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers located at Chicago Water Works, 163 East Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 East Randolph Street. For those calling from outside the United States, Mexico and Canada, call 1-312-201-8847. The TTY toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1.866.710.0294.
