The Chicago Cultural Center is located in a stunning landmark building built in 1897 as the city's first public library. Architectural features include two magnificent stained-glass domes, rare imported marbles, polished brass, fine hardwoods, and mosaics of Favrile glass, mother-of-pearl and colored stone. The world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome ― 38 feet in diameter with some 30,000 pieces of glass ― is located on the south side of the building, and on the north side of the building is a 40-foot-diameter dome with some 50,000 pieces of glass in an intricate Renaissance pattern, designed by Healy & Millet.
The Exhibitions Program at the Chicago Cultural Center presents a range of diverse and engaging exhibitions devoted to the visual arts and contemporary culture. Primary among the artists shown are those based in Chicago and the Midwest alongside others from across the U.S. and abroad. Additionally, through regular offerings of artist and curator gallery talks, lectures, panel discussions and events related to current exhibitions, a context is created for understanding recent art and design for a broad audience of residents and visitors to Chicago.
Free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions and family events are offered at the Center.