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Smart Museum of Art

DesignArtClosed todayFreeMetra Electric 55th-56th-57th Street station

Opened in 1974 and named for Esquire publishers David and Alfred Smart, the Smart Museum is the University of Chicago's art museum, housed in a limestone modernist building by Edward Larrabee Barnes. Its collection of more than 17,000 objects spans East Asian art, European painting and works on paper, modern design and contemporary art, with highlights including Frank Lloyd Wright's dining room furniture from the nearby Robie House and a Joan Mitchell canvas. A sculpture garden shared with the Cochrane-Woods Art Center holds work by Louise Nevelson, Richard Hunt and Arnaldo Pomodoro. Admission is always free.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, United States

Nearest station: Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th Street station, CTA #55 Garfield bus at S Ellis Avenue, CTA Red/Green Line Garfield station (transfer to #55 bus)

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Hours

Closed until 21 September

Closed for installation

MonClosed
Tue10:00–16:30
WedToday10:00–16:30
Thu10:00–16:30
Fri10:00–16:30
Sat10:00–16:30
Sun10:00–16:30

Admission

Free

Admission is always free and open to all, supported by SmartPartners.

Nearby

The Renaissance Society

ArtFree6 min walk

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

Local History7 min walk

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Transport18 min walk

Adler Planetarium

History97 min walk

Visitor Information

Is Smart Museum of Art free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Smart Museum of Art is free. Admission is always free and open to all, supported by SmartPartners.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Smart Museum of Art?
Smart Museum of Art is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4:30pm; closed Mondays. Closed for installation from 6 July 2026, reopening Tuesday 22 September 2026. Hours are also subject to closures for university holidays and a winter recess.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Smart Museum of Art?
Smart Museum of Art is located at 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, United States, in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th Street station, CTA #55 Garfield bus at S Ellis Avenue, CTA Red/Green Line Garfield station (transfer to #55 bus).
What can I see at Smart Museum of Art?
Free University of Chicago art museum in Hyde Park: 17,000 works from ritual bronzes to teamLab. Current highlights include teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity, How Do We Heal?, Art in Public Spaces.
Do I need to book Smart Museum of Art in advance?
Smart Museum of Art is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free and open to all, supported by SmartPartners.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Smart Museum of Art?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Michael Barera, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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