The City of Chicago has placed enormous significance on developing itself as an artistic hub in America.

With a growing designated Arts District, the Art Institute and countless galleries, academies and exhibition spaces, it is clear that Chicago is dedicated to promoting creativity and culture. But its not just within these galleries and studios that youll find fine works of art in the windy city. Its everywhere! Out on the street, in office buildings and parks; in Chicago, art is everywhere. In 1978 the city unanimously approved an ordinance that stipulates a percentage of construction and renovation costs for municipal buildings and public spaces be set aside for original artwork. Furthermore, half of the commissions must be awarded to Chicagoarea artists. At the time, the city was the first to incorporate art into its official building program. As a result, more than 700 works of public art are on display throughout the city. A vast range of styles and artists are featured, making Chicago a delightfully cultured metropolis and a hub for art lovers. Some of the best-known works of public art in Chicago are: The Picasso, by Picasso, which stands over 50 feet tall in Daley Plaza. Batcolumn, by Claes Oldenburg, a gigantic, whimsical, latticeencased baseball bat shaped structure on W. Madison Street. Cloud Gate, by Anish Kapoor. Also known as the bean it looks like a gigantic drop of liquid mercury sitting upon the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park. Night Before Last, by Arturo Herrera, a mural full of recognizable images created for a long, horizontal wall outside the entrance of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building. Lions, by Edward Kemey, which are flanking the entrance to the Art Institute of Chicago. Carpet, by Ellen Harvey, a beautiful and vibrant 300 square foot mosaic created for the Brown Line Francisco Station. La Tormenta, by Ovalle, a large-scale sculpture in the form of a storm cloud, which was created with, input from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Chicago. The Storm is on W. Congress Parkway. While public art is featured throughout Chicago, some neighborhoods have greater concentrations of it than others. The Loop District has a significant amount of public artworks, and even holds tours for those

who want to make sure they dont miss anything. On the Southwest Side, there are several notable pieces, including those at the 8th District Police Station and the CTA Pink Line Station. Near the South Side itself there are at least 13 other works of public art including the imposing Agora, a collection of 106 headless figures, posing as if walking in multiple directions or standing still, frozen in time. In addition, on the Southeast Side there are numerous more additions to Chicagos public art collection, such as the Blue Sculptures and Fountain of Time. And on the North Side of Chicago, art can be found at the Chicago Center for Green Technology and the Harlem Station of the CTA Blue Line, along with approximately 20 other spots. If it is your goal to view as much of the public art on display in Chicago as possible, its likely youll need several days to take in just the bestknown pieces. Spread throughout the massive urban sprawl, the hundreds of artworks are tucked in everywhere; just the Loop District tour can take at least four hours to complete. Dont let the incredible amount of public art in Chicago daunt you, however. When youre planning your visit to the city, decide which pieces youd most like to see. Compare them against public transit maps and where youre staying and formulate a plan ahead of time for how to travel to each destination. That way, youll be able to maximize your time for seeking out public art in Chicago and doing so will be a fun experience.