The Intuit Art Museum in Chicago has reopened after a 20-month, $10 million renovation. The museum, known for showcasing self-taught art, has tripled in size while maintaining its original architectural charm. The renovation includes updated exhibition spaces, programming areas, and learning facilities.
A $5 million community redevelopment grant, part of the Chicago Recovery Plan, helped fund the project. To celebrate the reopening, the museum is hosting a special exhibition called “Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago.” The exhibit features over 90 pieces by 22 artists, highlighting the work of self-taught immigrant artists who have shaped Chicago’s art scene. Admission will be free to the public during Memorial Day weekend.
The museum now boasts a dedicated gift shop, an educational studio, and a centerpiece gallery displaying rotating selections from its permanent collection of 1,500 to 1,600 objects. Notable pieces include William Hawkins’ “The Statue of Liberty” (1986), Della Wells’ “Yes, We Will Find Peace, My Sister” (2024), and Kevin Sampson’s “Port Wine Stains” (2007).
Celebrating self-taught art expansion
Visitors can also explore a re-creation of Henry Darger’s one-room apartment and studio, donated to the museum in 2000. Darger, known for his epic unpublished novel about the Vivian Girls, has a dedicated gallery featuring rotating presentations of his works. The museum’s expansion was made possible when the leadership decided to purchase the second level of the buildings it occupies in 2016.
The renovation, designed by Doyle & Associates, preserves the museum’s historical elements while introducing modern upgrades suitable for displaying art. The Intuit Art Museum is located at 756 N. Milwaukee Ave.
in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. The reopening marks a significant milestone for the museum, showcasing its commitment to celebrating self-taught art in a refreshed and expanded space.
