Chicago's Art Scene: Exploring the Best Galleries in the City

July 7, 2023 Gavin Coates

Chicago is renowned for its vibrant art scene, offering a plethora of galleries that showcase the works of emerging and established artists across various genres.

Top 10 Art Galleries in Chicago:

art galleries and museums in Chicago

While the city is home to iconic museums like the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art, exploring the art galleries of Chicago provides a unique and intimate experience. With galleries spread throughout the city's diverse neighborhoods, art lovers and newcomers alike can discover innovative and thought-provoking artworks. Here's a curated list of 40 of the best art galleries in Chicago that promise to broaden your creative perspective and introduce you to exciting talent.

Goldfinch Gallery

Goldfinch - Located in East Garfield Park, Goldfinch offers a contemporary space for local artists to exhibit their work. The gallery also hosts talks, salons, and discussions, and features the Flatfiles program, offering affordable art for new collectors.
Hyde Park Art Center - Committed to making contemporary art accessible, the Hyde Park Art Center presents engaging exhibitions and diverse community programming. Established in 1939, it has been a vital alternative exhibition space, known for showcasing work by the Chicago Imagists.
Vertical Gallery - Situated in Ukrainian Village, Vertical Gallery showcases street art, graffiti, and pop-culture-influenced art. It provides a platform for cutting-edge Chicago artists, including Hebru Brantley and JC Rivera.
Renaissance Society - Located on the University of Chicago's campus, Renaissance Society focuses on avant-garde and experimental art. Its exhibitions feature internationally acclaimed artists, and admission is free.
Rhona Hoffman Gallery - Originally founded in 1976, Rhona Hoffman Gallery specializes in international contemporary art, particularly socio-political works. The gallery represents a diverse range of artists, including Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Sol LeWitt.
Stony Island Arts Bank - Transformed by artist and philanthropist Theaster Gates, the Stony Island Arts Bank is a cultural institution offering archives, exhibitions, and community engagement. Visitors can explore Johnson Publishing archives and view art in the ground floor gallery.
Chicago Truborn - A small gallery in River West/West Town, Chicago Truborn showcases works by local and international artists. The gallery regularly rotates exhibitions, creating a dynamic space for discovering new art.
Kavi Gupta Gallery - Kavi Gupta Gallery represents emerging and mid-career artists in various media, including installation, performance, and painting. The gallery features artists like Theaster Gates, Tony Tasset, and Angel Otero.
Corbett vs. Dempsey - Founded in 2004, Corbett vs. Dempsey reflects diverse interests in jazz, film, American modernist traditions, abstraction, and contemporary art. The gallery often showcases undiscovered talent and hosts live performances.
Comfort Station - A former trolley station turned community art space, Comfort Station hosts art exhibitions, live music, film screenings, and provides a gathering spot for residents of Logan Square.
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art - Devoted to outsider and self-taught art, Intuit is a unique gallery offering a permanent collection, educational programs, and the Henry Darger Room collection.
Richard Gray Gallery - Located in the historic Hancock Center, Richard Gray Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions by artists primarily working with paint and sculpture. The gallery represents renowned artists such as Josef Albers, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg.
Chicago Artists Coalition - Chicago Artists Coalition (CAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting local artists. Through exhibitions, residencies, professional development programs, and community engagement, CAC provides artists with resources and opportunities to showcase their work.
LH Selman Glass Gallery - LH Selman Glass Gallery specializes in unique, intricately crafted glass paperweights created by emerging artists and experienced craftspeople. The gallery also hosts online auctions for collectors.
moniquemeloche - Founded by Monique Meloche, this West Town gallery showcases contemporary art in various media. It features intriguing works by both established and emerging artists.
Woman Made Gallery - Dedicated to showcasing women-identified and non-binary artists, Woman Made Gallery exhibits diverse artistic styles, including paintings, sculptures, and poetry.
Jackson Junge Gallery - Owned by Laura Lee Junge and Chris Jackson, Jackson Junge Gallery in Wicker Park features Laura's fantasy-inspired oil paintings. The gallery also hosts guest exhibitions throughout the year.
Elastic Arts - Located in Avondale, Elastic Arts provides a space for artists working in various mediums, including music, visual art, and workshops. The gallery offers a multidisciplinary experience for visitors.
Graham Foundation - Operating out of the historic Madlener House in the Gold Coast, the Graham Foundation supports project-based grants and produces public art programs. The gallery also hosts free exhibitions centered around architecture and design.
33 Contemporary Gallery - Representing emerging and mid-career artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography, the gallery showcases both local and international talent, providing a platform for artists to exhibit their works.
Roots & Culture Contemporary Art Center - Focusing on emerging artists, Roots & Culture presents contemporary art from both local and national talents. The gallery encourages spontaneous collaborations through its Double Exposure program.
Andrew Rafacz Gallery - Andrew Rafacz Gallery, formerly known as Bucket Rider Gallery, features emerging and mid-career artists working in video, painting, photography, and sculpture.
Gallery 400 - Founded in 1983 within the University of Illinois at Chicago, Gallery 400 showcases cutting-edge contemporary art, architecture, and design. The gallery offers a diverse program of lectures and events.
DFBRL8R - Formerly a storefront performance-art "gallery," DFBRL8r has moved to the Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport. It hosts avant-garde dance performances, live art creation, and other unique artistic experiences.
Julius Caesar - Julius Caesar is an artist-run space near Garfield Park. It showcases the work of young, emerging artists who are making their mark in Chicago's art scene.
Carrie Secrist Gallery - Carrie Secrist Gallery represents both emerging and established contemporary artists. The gallery exhibits a range of artworks, including sculptures, paintings, photography, and collages.
House of the Apocalypse - Located in East Pilsen, House of the Apocalypse is a unique gallery that opens for limited hours each month. It showcases paintings and sculptures, with standout pieces including sci-fi inspired mannequin sculptures by Brian Sperry.
Volume Gallery - Volume Gallery focuses on American design, including furniture design, interior design, and sculpture. The gallery releases editions and publications that delve into the work of the showcased designers.
ARC Gallery - ARC Gallery, run by women, is a nonprofit art space in Noble Square. It exhibits experimental work by women artists and provides mentorship for emerging artists. The gallery also hosts workshops and programs for underserved populations.
Western Exhibitions - Western Exhibitions, established in 2002, features emerging and established contemporary artists in various media. The gallery demonstrates a strong commitment to showcasing artists' books, prints, and multiples through WesternXeditions.
Jean Albano Gallery - Jean Albano Gallery in River North represents a range of artists working in sculptures, paintings, photography, and collages. The gallery has been a prominent venue for emerging and established artists since 1986.
Document - Founded by Aron Gent, Document is an exhibition space focused on contemporary photography and video works. It also houses a scanning and printing studio specializing in large-scale photographs.
devening projects + editions - Originally a curatorial effort, devening projects + editions now features a Garfield Park gallery showcasing international contemporary artists. The gallery emphasizes site-specific installations, unexpected artist pairings, and experimental artists' editions.
Hofheimer Gallery - Hofheimer Gallery represents an eclectic array of painters, including Betty Cleeland and Charles Gniech. The gallery exhibits paintings, drawings, and sculptures from artists at various stages of their careers.
Artspace 8 - Situated on the Magnificent Mile, Artspace 8 focuses on contemporary fine art paintings, prints, and sculptures by emerging and established artists from around the world. The gallery offers a diverse selection for both collectors and visitors.
Aspect/Ratio - Aspect/Ratio is a commercial gallery that showcases contemporary artists from an international background. The gallery exhibits a range of media, including visual art, videography, and conceptual artwork.
Stephen Daiter Gallery - Stephen Daiter Gallery specializes in important American and European photography from the 20th century. The gallery exhibits avant-garde, experimental, documentary, and photojournalistic works.
Firecat Projects - Firecat Projects is a gallery in Bucktown that focuses on contemporary art exhibitions. It showcases works by both emerging and established artists, offering a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.
Vertical Gallery - Vertical Gallery, located in Ukrainian Village, features street art, graffiti, and pop-culture-influenced art. The gallery exhibits works by some of Chicago's most cutting-edge and exciting artists.
The Silver Room - Situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Wicker Park, The Silver Room is not only a retail space but also a cultural hub that hosts art exhibitions and events.

viewing visual art in Chicago art galleries

Explore our curated selection of contemporary artists from around the globe.

Naturalist Gallery offers artist representation internationally. Apply your art.

Visiting these diverse and innovative art galleries in Chicago will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the city's thriving art scene. From contemporary paintings and sculptures to immersive installations and experimental works, these galleries offer a rich tapestry of artistic expression. Whether you're an art enthusiast, collector, or simply looking to explore the creative pulse of Chicago, these galleries will undoubtedly inspire and captivate your imagination.

Chicago's Art Scene