See it here first! Join us for boundary-breaking exhibitions and events featuring work by School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) students completing their degrees. Free and open to the public.
MAATC Exhibition (Art Therapy)
January 24–31
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: January 25, 12–5 p.m.
The annual MAATC Exhibition presents the artwork and practices of students graduating with a Master of Arts in Art Therapy and Counseling. The educational aim of this exhibition is to provide an opportunity for students to present their own individual lived practices and collaboratively examine the clinical, ethical, and aesthetic implications of presenting the profession of art therapy through an exhibition. Deeply reflective and inquisitive, the artists present a multitude of approaches, exemplifying the program’s philosophy of integrating the emergent artist-art-therapist identity.
Graduate Exhibition One
February 20–March 1
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: February 22, 12–5 p.m.
The culminating presentation of new and ambitious work by MFA candidates in SAIC’s class of 2025. Graduate Exhibition One is the first of two graduate exhibitions this spring.
Hours
Mondays–Saturdays when exhibitions are open.
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Post-Baccalaureate Annual Exhibition
February 20—March 1
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: February 22, 12–5 p.m.
This presentation features the work of students completing the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio.
Hours
Mondays–Saturdays when exhibitions are open.
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Artbash
March 28–April 12
Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., Floors 1, 2, 3
Reception: March 28, 4–6:30 p.m.
First year students from the Department of Contemporary Practices exhibit new interdisciplinary art and design works. Students have the opportunity to participate through site specific proposals, an open call for work, and by faculty selection.
Spring Undergraduate Exhibition
April 4–12
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: April 5, 12–5 p.m.
The culminating work of graduating seniors. This exhibition features the ambitious and innovative interdisciplinary work of our students, the next generation of artists, scholars, and citizens. It is a living example of the crossing of disciplines and challenging assumptions that SAIC encourages in each student.
Hours
Mondays–Saturdays when exhibitions are open.
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Capstone Fashion Show
May 2
MacLean Building Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.
Fashion Show: 7–8 p.m.
The Capstone Fashion Show 2025 is a celebration of senior Fashion Design students and their work. You can also join virtually via the event livestream.
MA Art History Symposium
May 3–4
Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., Room 327
Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Graduating students in the Art History, Theory and Criticism Department will present their theses projects.
FVNMAS Festival
May 7–10
Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St.
Reception: TBA
The Film, Video, New Media, Animation, and Sound Festival will highlight the work of graduating students presenting moving image and sound work.
Graduate Exhibition Two
May 9–21
SAIC Galleries, 33. E. Washington St.
Public Reception: May 10, 12–5 p.m.
The culminating presentation of new and ambitious work by MFA, MDes, MArch, MArch-IA, and MSHP candidates in SAIC’s class of 2025. Graduate Exhibition Two is the second of two graduate exhibitions this spring.
Hours
Mondays–Saturdays when exhibitions are open.
11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
MFA in Writing Graduate Reading
May 16
MacLean Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.
Reception: 4:30 p.m.
Reading: 5:30–7 p.m.
Graduating students from the Master of Fine Arts in Writing program read selections from their work. Join us for a surprising evening including, but not limited to, fiction, nonfiction, and text off the page. Discover what writing becomes when students adapt the practices of their studio-artist peers.
Design Showcase
May 16
Sharp Building, 37 S. Wabash Ave., Floor 11
Showcasing the work of Visual Communication Design graduating students.
BA Art History and BFA Art History Thesis Symposium
May 17
MacLean Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.
Saturday, May 17, 11 a.m.– 1 p.m.
Undergraduate students in the Art History, Theory and Criticism Department will present their thesis projects.
BFA in Writing Thesis Reading
May 17
The LeRoy Neiman Center, 37 S. Wabash Avenue
Reading: 5–7 p.m.
Students graduating from SAIC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing program read, perform, and otherwise represent their work in traditional as well as hybrid and experimental forms, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, scripts, electronic media, and performance.