Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art: General Admission Ticket

Rotating exhibitions of living artists replace the permanent galleries every few months

General admission ticket to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago grants access to the museum's rotating exhibitions of work by living artists across all media. The MCA has no permanent collection on view, instead, exhibitions change every few months, so what you see depends on when you visit. Wheelchair accessible throughout. Service animals allowed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art

• Enter the MCA Chicago
• View temporary art exhibitions
• Show student ID if applicable
• Shop at the MCA Store
• Dine at Marisol restaurant and bar

The experience

The MCA Chicago operates as a non-collecting museum, which means the exhibitions shift every few months instead of staying fixed. You walk into galleries devoted entirely to the art of our time (painting, sculpture, video, installation, performance and experimental work) by artists with local and international reputations. Because nothing is permanent, a return visit shows you something entirely different.

Your ticket covers admission to all current exhibitions. Plan for one to three hours depending on how closely you want to look. The space is fully wheelchair accessible, and service animals are welcome. The museum also houses Marisol, a restaurant and bar with innovative food in an art-filled setting, and an award-winning store if you want to take something home.

What’s included

• Admission to all current exhibitions.
• access to the museum's galleries featuring work by living artists across all media.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Sunday

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (under 18)

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Is this one for you?The MCA works best if you're drawn to contemporary work and experimental practices rather than historical surveys, since nothing is permanent, you're seeing what artists are making right now, not what the museum collected decades ago.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (under 18).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the MCA and other Chicago art museums?

The MCA Chicago has no permanent collection. Every exhibition rotates out every few months, so the galleries always show the work of living artists and experimental practices rather than a fixed historical survey.

Can I bring my service animal into the museum?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the MCA Chicago.

How long should I plan to spend at the museum?

Most visitors spend one to three hours depending on how many exhibitions are on view and how long you linger with each piece.

Is there food or a place to shop at the MCA?

The museum has Marisol, a restaurant and bar serving innovative food in an immersive art environment, and an award-winning store.

Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, all areas and surfaces of the MCA Chicago are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options nearby are also wheelchair accessible.