WELCOME  TO


THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM:
 Museum of Architecture and Design


 

CHICAGO/SCHAUMBURG/GALENA

The Chicago Athenaeum is an International Museum of Architecture and Design, appropriately based in the world's first city of modern architecture and design - Chicago.

Founded in 1988, the Museum is dedicated to the Art of Design in all areas of the discipline: architecture, industrial, and product design, graphics, and urban planning.
The Museum's mission is the advancement of public education about the value of Good Design - from the "spoon to the city" - and how design can positively impact the human environment.

As the nation's only independent Museum of architecture and Design The Chicago Athenaeum has demonstrated leadership and innovation in bringing the subject of design and its impact on the quality of life before a national and international audience.
At the same time, the Museum has expanded its international programs by presenting significant exhibitions on architecture and design to cities through the United States, as well as Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

The Museum is supported by its membership and by grants from corporations, foundations, and local and national government agencies.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

The Chicago Athenaeum welcomes young people and adults to experience the exciting selection of educational and entertaining programs throughout the year.
These include walking tours, gallery walks, and special performances and events, as well as competitions, charities, award's programs, and a variety of programs that enrich an understanding of design and the urban environment.

Call the Museum's Special Programs Department to receive the latest information on our public programs and changing exhibitions or to make reservations for group tours at +815/777-4444.

 

RESOURCE CENTER

The Chicago Athenaeum maintains a professional resource center open to professionals, scholars, and the general public. The Museum offers access to the Museum's permanent collections and features national and international publications on architecture and design. Since space is limited, call in advance for reservations at 815/777-4444.

GOOD DESIGN STORE

Design at its best. The GOOD DESIGN Store has difficult to find European and American books and magazines on architecture, design, and urban planning. The GOOD DESIGN Store features a distinctive selection of items as gifts, posters, T-shirts, toys, note cards, contemporary jewelry, high-design objects, and one-of-a-kind designs.

MEMBERSHIP

Join Us!
Membership in the Chicago Athenaeum is an opportunity to support the Museum's vital role in architecture and Industrial design.

Membership Benefits include:

  • Free admission to the Museum
  • 10% Discount of all purchases at the Museum's bookstore
  • Subscription to Metropolitan Arts and Design
  • Subscriptions to the Museum's newsletter
  • invitations to members-only programs and exhibitions openings, as well as lectures, seminars, and conferences.

    • CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP

    Special rates and privileges are available for corporate members. Please consult the Museum for information.

    BOARD OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES
    MUSEUM STAFF

    COLLECTIONS AND RESEARCH

    Since the Museum's founding, The Chicago Athenaeum has built an outstanding permanent collection of architecture and architectural artifacts and objects of important American, European, and local Chicago industrial design. Highlights of the collection include:
  • Architecture:
    drawings, models, building fragments, and decorative arts.

  • Industrial Design:
    household appliances, business equipment, cameras, electronics, china, clocks, televisions, radios with a special emphasis on "Made in Chicago; Made in Illinois" between 1910 to 1960. the Museum also maintains a fine collection of industrial design of American, Asian, and European origin.

  • Graphic Design:
    packaging, advertising, brochures, and other graphic arts from corporate logos to poster art.

  • Photographic Archives:
    a unique collection of American and European architecture and industrial design.

  • Film/Video Archives: an international collection of architecture, art, and industrial design films and videos.

    • Though only a small portion of the museum's collection can be seen on view at any one time, The Chicago Athenaeum makes its holdings accessible to qualified researchers and designers by appointment. Information is available by calling the archive at 847/895-3950.
    		 
    THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM: MUSEUM OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
    MAIN MUSEUM IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED
    Tel: 815/777-4444
    Fax: 815/777-2471
    THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM
    INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE PARK/SCHAUMBURG
    Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center
    Schaumburg, IL 60193
    		 
    THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM GALENA
    601 South Prospect Street
    Galena, IL 61036
    Tel: 815/777-4444
    Fax: 815/777-2471
    SCULPTURE GALENA: CONTEMPORARY ART IN THE HISTORIC CITY
    Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
    Highway 20 at 500 Bouthillier Street
    Galena, IL 61036
    THE CHICAGO ATHENAEUM / EUROPE
    10 Alexander the Great
    GR-17122 Nea Symirni
    Athens, Greece
    Tel/Fax: +30/210-941-3717
    VISITORS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
    The Chicago Athenaeum is accessible at all locations for the physically challenged. For information about special services, call +815/777-4444
    ADMISSION
    Free for Museum Members. Non Museum members $3.00; Students and Seniors $2.00.
    GROUP VISITS
    Available by appointment with special tours at reduced rates. Advanced registration for tours is necessary, particularly if a docent is to be available as a guide. For further information, call +815/777-4444

    CORPORATE PARTIES, CONFERENCES, AND EVENTS
    The Museum is available for conferences, parties, cocktail receptions and special events. Call the Museum's Director of Special Events at +815/777-4444.
    Main Page About the MuseumBoard of Directors/Trustees and Museum Staff
    Upcoming Events
    Membership
    		 American Architecture Good Design Awards Landmark ChicagoInternational Sculpture Park
    Children of Chernobyl
    Good Design Store

     

    GOOD DESIGN® is a registered trademark of
    The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
    All information and images on this website may not be used
    without the permission of The Chicago Athenaeum.
    The GOOD DESIGN logo was designed by Mort Goldshall in 1950.
    website © 2001  The Chicago Athenaeum