Chicago, Ill.I love big cities. So when I found out I would be going to Chicago for the Association of Midwest Museums’ 2018 conference, I was very excited. Of course I did some exploring of my own, but that did not compare to the field trips Erin (author of the previous post) and I got to go on as part of the conference. Each night of the conference attendees were able to load up on buses and head out to different Chicago neighborhoods and the museums they had to offer. In addition to the delicious food we received at each stop, we had after-hours access to nearly all the museums’ exhibits. I am not sure if you have ever had the pleasure of exploring museums after-hours, surrounded by museum professionals, but I highly recommend it if you ever get the chance. The commentary, questions and enthusiasm they brought with them was amazing and only enhanced my field trip experience. Below I have outlined each evenings’ stops and included a brief description of each. My main takeaway for you from this trip is to branch out into new neighborhoods and explore their cultural gems. Do not be afraid to go beyond the typical tourist to-do list. Night One Jane Addams Hull-House Museum “The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum serves as a dynamic memorial to social reformer Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and her colleagues whose work changed the lives of their immigrant neighbors as well as national and international public policy. The Museum preserves and develops the original Hull-House site for the interpretation and continuation of the historic settlement house vision, linking research, education, and social engagement.” National Museum of Mexican Art “While our presence has grown, the NMMA remains true to our founding mission: To showcase the beauty and richness of Mexican culture by sponsoring events and presenting exhibitions that exemplify the majestic variety of visual and performing arts in the Mexican culture; to develop, conserve and preserve a significant permanent collection of Mexican art; to encourage the professional development of Mexican artists; and, to offer arts-education programs.” Night Two Smart Museum of Art “As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart is home to thought-provoking exhibitions and an exquisite collection of more than 15,000 objects, including modern masterpieces, millennia-old Chinese artworks, rich examples of European painting, and provocative works of contemporary art.” DuSable Museum of African American History “The Museum was developed to preserve and interpret experiences and achievements of people of African descent. The Museum is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans.” Hyde Park Art Center “Hyde Park Art Center is a hub for contemporary arts in Chicago, serving as a gathering and production space for artists and the broader community to cultivate ideas, impact social change, and connect with new networks. The Art Center functions as an amplifier for today and tomorrow’s creative voices, providing the space to cultivate and create new work and connections.” Night Three Field Museum “Since opening the Museum in 1894, our collection has grown to nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens. The breadth of our mission has expanded, too. We continue to research the objects in our collections, as well as document previously unknown species, conserve ecosystems in our backyard and across the globe, educate budding scientists, invite cross-cultural conversation, and more—all to ensure that our planet thrives for generations to come.” --Jess
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AuthorsPete is the founder of Piggyback App. At the time of writing this description, he may or may not be on a horse. |