Didn’t Georgia O’Keefe and Jeff Koons once walk these same streets? This is the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s more than just a school. It is a place where world-changing artists and ideas are shaped. Since 1866, SAIC has stood as an internationally acclaimed college.
SAIC’s history began with the Chicago Academy of Design in 1866. Local artists founded it in rented rooms. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, business leaders formed a board of trustees. In 1882, the academy was renamed the Art Institute of Chicago. Banker Charles L. Hutchinson served as its president until 1924.
Here at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, students chart their own path. They engage in interdisciplinary study across 26 academic departments. Small class sizes and one-on-one mentoring define the learning environment. The school provides cutting-edge studios and exceptional resources. The Art Institute of Chicago museum is one such resource.
SAIC is located in downtown Chicago. Its campus comprises seven buildings near the AIC building. You will find the McLean Center, the Michigan building, and the Sharp building here. Also nearby are the Sullivan Center and the Columbus building.
SAIC offers classes in various fields. These include art and technology, and art history. You can study fashion design, filmmaking, and painting. Printmaking, sculpture, and visual communication are also options.
The Visiting Artists Program is one of SAIC’s oldest public programs. It was founded in 1868. It hosts presentations by artists, designers, and scholars. Lectures, symposia, and performances are all part of the program.
SAIC Galleries offers 26000 square feet of exhibition space. It is located at 33 E. Washington Street. Sullivan Galleries is located in the Sullivan Center. SITE Galleries exhibits student work in two locations.
Student organizations thrive here. ExTV broadcasts online and on campus. F Newsmagazine is SAIC’s student-run newspaper. Free Radio SAIC is the student-run internet radio station.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has received many accolades. It was named the “most influential art school” in a 2002 survey. US News & World Report ranks SAIC as a top graduate program for fine arts.
Notable alumni and faculty have shaped the art world. Jeff Koons, Georgia O’Keefe, and David Sedaris are among the alumni. Nick Cave and Michelle Grabner are notable professors.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago remains a vital force. It shapes artists and ideas. It contributes to society through art, design, and scholarship. As you leave, remember the legacy of creativity fostered within these walls.