Fine Arts Building | Home | Chicago's artist haven since 1898.

Second Fridays

Explore the Fine Arts Building during our monthly open artist studios event to discover the creativity and history throughout all ten floors of the Fine Arts Building.

Upcoming Events

Experience the musicals, comedy shows, concerts, dance, puppetry, opera, and more at the majestic Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building.

Our History

From the 19th century to today, the Fine Arts Building is the heartbeat of arts and culture in America, home to music schools, literary clubs – and social, political, and cultural movements.

The Studebaker Theater presents Manual Cinema's Frankenstein!

Love, loss, and creation merge in unexpected ways as the Studebaker Theater and Fine Arts Building co-present Manual Cinema’s thrilling version of the classic Gothic tale.

Visit the Directory

Tenant Directory

Discover the tenants of the Fine Arts Building - musicians, architects, dancers, artists, puppeteers, booksellers, luthiers, and much more - who make this building a home for art in all forms.

Visit The Fine Arts Building

The Fine Arts Building

Fine Arts Building, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

Join Our Mailing List

Keep up to date about performances, events, open studios, and more at the Fine Arts Building by signing up for our mailing list.

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A new art exhibition opens in the Little Studio Se

A new art exhibition opens in the Little Studio September 13 - 14, featuring stunningly realistic drawings with a fresh perspective on things that we may see and use in everyday life. Read on for a message from the artist, and visit this weekend!

"Hello! I am Sarah KAYODE. I know it’s been a while. I’ve been working on a show for the past one year. I called it ‘HOPE.’ I made this show to show how resilient we are as people. I think being human is a great, but sometimes difficult doesn’t describe how hard it can get. I hope with this show, people who are going through dark times will feel encouraged and a little bit of hope. And if you are in a good space, it’s also for you. You can enjoy being surrounded by lots of beauty 😉 and be a part of the community. I hope you can make it."

#chicagoartshow #chicagoart #chicagofineart #chicagoartgallery #localchicagoart #localchicagoartists #hope #mentalhealthawareness #fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #secondfridays #openstudios #chicagoartist #artiststudio #artiststudios #openstudiodays

Join us this Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 for our free

Join us this Friday from 5:00 to 9:00 for our free open studios event, Second Fridays! Discover the history, artistry, and magic throughout the one-of-a-kind Fine Arts Building.

RSVP at the link in our bio!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #secondfriday #secondfridays #secondfridayschicago #openstudio #openstudios #openstudiodays #artiststudio #artiststudios #chicagoartist #chicagoartists #chicagoartistry #chicagoartiststudios

We were saddened to learn of the passing of James

We were saddened to learn of the passing of James Earl Jones yesterday. Jones performed on the Studebaker Theater stage in “Paul Robeson” in 1977. The following year, he performed the role on Broadway, for which he was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Play. What an honor that his incredible talent has been a part of the Studebaker Theater’s history.

History Monday, featuring this photo of a dalmatia

History Monday, featuring this photo of a dalmatian in a firetruck passing the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Ave ca. 1970, with the World Playhouse showing the 1969 film "Coming Apart" starring Rip Torn.

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #dalmatian #dalmatiandog #chicagohistory #historicphoto #historicphotos #thenandnow #thenandnowpics #historicphotograph #historicphotography #historicphotographs

We're very proud to have been selected as a winner

We're very proud to have been selected as a winner of Tripexpert's 2024 Experts' Choice Award!

The award honors Fine Arts Building as one of the top rated attractions in Chicago.

Thank you, Tripexpert - join us in celebrating next Friday September 13 during our Second Fridays open studios! Free and open to the public from 5:00-9:00pm.

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #tripexpert #chicagotravel #chicagotravels #chicagotraveler #chicagobuilding #historicbuilding #historicbuildings #chicagoarchitecture #artstudio #artstudios #openstudio #openstudios #openstudiodays

Tenant Tuesday! Join Fine Arts Building artist Don

Tenant Tuesday! Join Fine Arts Building artist Don Yang this Friday, September 6, from 6:00 - 9:00pm for the opening reception of his new exhibition, "En Plein Air In All Seasons" in our Second Floor Gallery! The show will feature 40 paintings I have created throughout the four seasons in Chicago and beyond. Make sure you see these incredible paintings during the exhibition, running September - October!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #chicagoarts #chicagoartist #chicagoartists #chicagoartscene #chicagoartgalleries #pleinair #pleinairartist #pleinairpainter #pleinairpainting #pleinairpaintings #artexhibition #artexhibitions

Happy Labor Day from all of us at the Fine Arts Bu

Happy Labor Day from all of us at the Fine Arts Building! Wishing you a happy and restful holiday. We'll look forward to seeing you again when we reopen tomorrow!

(Photo from a 1944 postcard of the Fine Arts Building and Auditorium Building.)

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #historicpostcard #chicagobuilding #chicagobuildings #historicbuilding #historicbuildings #chicagoarchitecture #laborday #chiarchitecture

The Fine Arts Building will be closed this Monday,

The Fine Arts Building will be closed this Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 3. We hope you enjoy a relaxing holiday weekend!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #laborday

Theater Thursday! Featuring the Studebaker Theater

Theater Thursday! Featuring the Studebaker Theater’s incredible detailing over the queen’s boxes, from its 1917 renovation by Andrew Rebori. Photo: Mikel Pickett, 2023.

#chicagotheatre #chicagotheater #historictheatre #historictheatres #fineartsbuildingchicago #fineartsbuilding #chicagoarchitecture #chiarchitecture #chitecture #theatre

Tenant Tuesday! From September 13 - October 31, th

Tenant Tuesday! From September 13 - October 31, the Center for Mad Culture presents 0055 | Allostatic Load. This exhibition by Meghann Sottile utilizes both literal and abstract forms of oars and paddles as a metaphor in exploring how our bodies are forced to adapt to the inevitable change in psychosocial and physical situations. Visit next month's Second Fridays on September 13 to join for the exhibition opening reception from 5:00-9:00pm!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #centerformadculture #chicagoart #chicagoarts #chicagoartists #chicagoartshow #chicagoartgalleries #chicagoartgallery #chicagoartscene #artexhibition #artexhibitions #artexhibitionopening #exhibitionopening #exhibitionopening

History Monday: When you enter these halls you're

History Monday: When you enter these halls you're surrounded by over 125 years of Chicago history and artistry.

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #chicagohistory #chicagoarchitecture #chiarchitecture #chitecture #chicagoart #chicagoarts #chicagoartist #chicagoartists #chicagoartscene #chicagoartgalleries

Tenant Tuesday: Have you always dreamed of being a

Tenant Tuesday: Have you always dreamed of being a tenant at the Fine Arts Building? With our short-term rental spaces, the Annex and Little Studio, you can bring your creativity to these historic halls! Affordably priced for local and nonprofit organizations, this is your opportunity to be a part of the Fine Arts Building community!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #studiorental #artstudio #artstudios #artstudiospace #artiststudio #artiststudios #artiststudiospace #dancestudio #dancestudios #studiosforrent #creativestudio #creativestudios

History Monday from the Fine Arts Building collect

History Monday from the Fine Arts Building collection: featuring this beautiful letter written by historic tenant, sculptor Lorado Taft. Titled "My Message to you," it reads:

"We are living in a world of beauty but how few of us open our eyes to see it! What a different place this would be if our senses were trained to see and hear.

We are the heirs of wonderful treasures from the past: treasures of literature and of the arts. They are ours for the asking: all are our own, to have and to enjoy, if only we desire them enough.

In every community there appears now and then an unusual talent; every school reveals an occasional child with the ability to do things: to sing, or draw or paint or to write. Too often these talents which might be used for the common good are carelessly wasted, and what might have been careers of happy achievement are prevented from being so by lack of sympathy and understanding.

Somebody has said that the greatest thing that we can do for anyone is to show an interest in him. Let's help each other to find out what we are good for, and then help accomplish it."

- Lorado Taft, date unknown

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #fromthearchive #fromthearchives #fromthearchives🪶 #chicagohistory #loradotaft #wisdom #wisdomquote #wisdomquotes #wordsofwisdom #creativity #creativityquotes #creativitymatters

FAB Friday! Featuring the incredible Art Nouveau m

FAB Friday! Featuring the incredible Art Nouveau murals on our 10th floor. Installed by artists who worked in the building in 1900, these have remained virtually untouched (with the exception of a restoration in 2002) for over 100 years.

Photo by Eric Allix Rogers

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #chicagohistory #chicagomural #chicagomurals #artnouveau #artnouveaustyle #artnouveaulovers #artnouveauarchitecture #artnouveauaroundtheworld #chicagoarchitecture #chiarchitecture #chitecture #chicagobuildings

History Monday! Fine Arts Theatres marquee, ca. 19

History Monday! Fine Arts Theatres marquee, ca. 1982. "Moonlighting" with Jeremy Irons was the first film to play in the Studebaker Theater after it had been converted into a movie theater multiplex by M&R Amusement Co.

What are some of your favorite Fine Arts Theatres memories?

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #fineartstheatre #chicagohistory #chicagobuilding #chicagobuildings #chicagoarchitecture #chiarchitecture #chitecture #multiplex #studebakertheater

Join us for Second Fridays TONIGHT from 5:00 - 9:0

Join us for Second Fridays TONIGHT from 5:00 - 9:00pm to explore all 10 floors of creativity and history at the Fine Arts Building! Free and open to the public - visit us to experience the incredible artistry being made in this magical building.

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #openstudio #openstudios #chicagoart #chicagoartist #chicagoartists #artiststudio #artiststudios #artiststudiotour #artistry #chicagobuilding #chicagobuildings #openhouse

In today’s “Artists of the Fine Arts Building,

In today’s “Artists of the Fine Arts Building,” meet painter Gabrielle Marie Stone!

Gabrielle Marie Stone is a Chicago-based contemporary abstract painter. Drawing inspiration from Post-Impressionist and Abstract Expressionist works, Stone’s pieces play with figures, objects, and masses, playfully combining the medium’s historical attempt to represent pictorial scenes with its authentic material quality. Using paint to sculpt space rather than to depict a system of designs, Stone welcomes the viewer into a three-dimensional space, and then promptly revokes the invitation.

It’s through this retraction that Stone turns the viewer into a bird, of sorts, and the painting into a closed window. This also exposes a series of contradictions — depth vs surface. Illusion vs honesty. Representation vs abstraction. Age vs newness. Are we really seeing what’s there? Are we trying too hard to make something out of something else?

Working frequently with interior designers and art consultants, Stone either creates custom pieces or identifies existing works that complement the aesthetics of clients’ homes and corporate spaces while still providing the indulgence and boldness of an original artwork.

Learn more about Stone’s work by visiting her studio during Second Fridays or by visiting gabriellemariestone.com

#chicagoartist #chicagoartists #fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #artiststudio #artiststudios #artiststudiospace #artistinterview #artistinterviews #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #contemporaryabstract #contemporaryabstractart

Imagining the amount of stories and history that h

Imagining the amount of stories and history that have taken place in these halls... for example, did you know that before they created The Wonderful Wizard of Oz together, they met in this studio as members of the Caxton Club? Denslow had an illustration studio down the hall on the 10th floor, where he created the iconic illustrations of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and all of the unforgettable images of Oz.

Photo by @anapaula__a

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #caxtonclub #chicagohistory #wizardofoz #chicagobuilding #chicagobuildings #chicagobuildings #historicbuilding #historicbuildings

Tenant Tuesday: featuring this work in progress pi

Tenant Tuesday: featuring this work in progress piece by artist Karen Tichy, who works from Studio 701 in the Fine Arts Building! Karen Tichy is an abstract mixed media artist known for her encaustic and paper line paintings. She comes from a visual communications design background that is evident in her work. After receiving an MS in Visual Communication from the Institute of Design, IIT, and Chicago, she worked as an interface designer in Boston. There, she also began painting and exploring a variety of media. After returning to her native Chicago in 2008, she established a studio/gallery in the Fine Arts Building where she continues to develop her work through continued experimentation with a variety of media. Learn more about Karen's work at karentichy.com!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #chicagoart #chicagoarts #chicagoartist #chicagoartists #chicagoartscene #encaustic #encaustics #encausticart #encausticartist

History Monday! In this photo from ca. 1890, you c

History Monday! In this photo from ca. 1890, you can see the Fine Arts Building peeking out next to the Auditorium Building. At this time, it was the Studebaker Carriage Company's Chicago assembly and showroom, where they constructed the carriages on the upper floors and displayed them in the ground floor showroom. A very different view Michigan Avenue from what we're used to today!

#fineartsbuilding #fineartsbuildingchicago #chicagohistory #chicagoarchitecture #chiarchitecture #chitecture #chicagobuilding #chicagobuildings #historicbuilding #historicbuildings #historicarchitecture

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