Tuesday, March 31, 2015

You already know Annual Convention will bring together more than 1,000 arts professionals with 150 speakers and 45 sessions, but there's a whole lot more to look forward to this year. Here’s a list of top ten things to see and do while in Chicago at the 2015 Annual Convention!

  1. Explore approximately 300,000 works of art at the Art Institute of Chicago. Housed in eight buildings, totaling nearly one million square feet of space, The Art Institute's exhibits, galleries, lectures, and performances are touted as some of the best in the world.
  2. Be inspired by our lineup of keynote speakers: Theaster Gates, founder and creator of Rebuild Foundation and the Dorchester Projects; Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs; and Jane Chu, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
  3. Every visitor to Chicago must see the Millennium and Maggie Daley Parks, which feature Cloudgate, Jaume Plensa, Jay Priztker Pavillion, and Lurie Gardens.
  4. Wind down and let loose with your colleagues at the Opening Reception at the Museum of Contemporary Art!
  5. Experience the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Summer Series, at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, devoted to the work of artist and resident choreographer, Alejandro Cerrudo.
  6. Book your tickets to see a show on one of Chicago’s world-class stages, including the Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Second City, or one of the many other theatres around town.
  7. Immerse yourself in the cultural history of Chicago with a trip to the National Museum of Mexican Art and the DuSable Museum of African American History.
  8. While the Annual Convention will be the BEST event in town, it won’t be the only one. We’ll be sharing the city with a number of other artist groups including the Chicago Blues Festival, Wells Street Art Festival, and the Spring Awakening Music Festival.
  9. Think outside of the (room service) box! Get out and enjoy Chicago’s more notable dining options—Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, Shaw’s Crab House, and The Gage—or veer off the beaten path and try a hot dog from Portillo’s or ribs from Carson’s.
  10. See Chicago from a whole new perspective with a bird’s eye view from the Willis Tower Sky Deck or on a boat cruise on the Chicago River!

Read more about this year's Annual Convention on our Convention website