AIC is Among Chicago’s Best Spots

Which art museum is the “best in the world?” According to popular travel website TripAvisor, the Art Institute Chicago (AIC) stands above renowned museums like the Louvre in Paris and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met).

Established in 1879 and associated with a premier art school, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the AIC is the second largest art museum in the United State after the Met. The AIC displays a plethora of diverse works from all around the world and from different periods of time, including classic pieces such as Van Gogh’s self-portrait, Andy Warhol’s prints, Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” and many others.

For students who attend SAIC, touring the museum without buying tickets is a great benefit for their artistic inspiration and for spending their free time.

“Because I’m a SAIC student, I can see the museum for free, so I often go there with my friends to get inspiration for my art works. When I had fine art assignment, which is to research paintings, …the museum helped me a lot which paintings I had to choose,” said SAIC sophomore Steven Lim.

Outside visitors are equally impressed by this old Chicago institution.

“I couldn’t see all of the works in the museum because the place was so huge that I couldn’t walk any longer. However, I enjoyed watching works and bought unique products in the museum shop for my father’s birthday,” said Cheshire Academy high school sophomore Julie Lee.

“The work that attracted me was Van Gogh’s self-portrait and the painting of his room,” Lee added.

There are several upcoming exhibits to excite visitors. From March 17 to June 7, AIC will feature the exhibition “Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design,” highlighting Ireland’s arts. It will also showcase “The Midcentury Mood: Milton Schwartz in America,” which is about the designs of architect Milton Schwartz.