ABOUT ARTSPASS
YOUR UCID IS YOUR PASS
to free & discounted admission
at 70+ arts & culture organizations throughout Chicago.
While we welcome you to visit some of the most famous Chicago arts institutions, such as the Art Institute, Second City, DuSable Museum, and Joffrey Ballet, we encourage you to explore art opportunities throughout the city.
Thanks to special partnerships with some of the best cultural institutions in Chicago, the ArtsPass program offers free and discounted admission to over 20 museums, ranging from art to scientific inventions. You can also attend riveting performances at over 25 cinemas, theaters, and music venues. The program even offers the opportunity to take improv and dance classes.
The ArtsPass program is your tour guide for Chicago’s vast cultural scene—all using your student ID.
Each quarter we organize a few ArtsPass Exclusives and offer behind-the-scenes access with artist conversations, reduced admission, and often include receptions and transportation. To learn more see the ArtsPass Exclusives section of this website join the ArtsPass Facebook Group or follow us on ArtsPass Instagram.
WHERE WILL YOU GO ?
A program of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, the UChicago ArtsPass is supported by a generous gift from Michael A. Keable and Anne C. Van Wart. Additional support is provided by the Robert M. Rudolph Arts Endowment, the University of Chicago Women’s Board, the College, and the generosity of alumni, friends, and partnering cultural institutions.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
On Campus and Near Campus
Cultural & Multidisciplinary
Dance
Film
Museum & Visual Art
Music
Theater
ARTSPASS EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
Each quarter we organize a few ArtsPass Exclusives and offer behind-the-scenes access with artist conversations, reduced admission, and often include receptions and transportation. Upcoming exclusive events will be posted soon!
Past Events:
ARTSPASS PHOTO CONTEST
ArtsPass Photo Contest
Are you visiting one of our 70+ ArtsPass partners? Do you like free coffee? Then the ArtsPass Photo and Caption contest is perfect for you!
Participating in the ArtsPass Photo and Caption Contest is simple:
During your visit, take a photo that best encapsulates your experience at this ArtsPass partner. Then, pair it with a caption about your time there.
Get creative! Show us the museum exhibits with the least foot traffic or the beauty of an empty stage before a show. We want to see what your favorite part of the ArtsPass experience is.
The winners get a $50 gift card to use at on-campus cafés! During 8th week of Fall, Winter, and 6th week of Spring quarters, we will pick 5 winners (at random) from the photos submitted. Winners will be notified via email and funds will be added to your Maroon $ balance.
Please note that submitted photos and captions may be used in future promotional materials for the ArtsPass program. We will give you credit!
To submit your photos for the ArtsPass photo contest click HERE
ARTS ITINERARIES & TOURS
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Hyde Park & South Side
UChicago students live right next door to some of the best museums, cultural hubs, and theaters in Chicago. Whether you have an hour or a whole weekend, Hyde Park, Kenwood, South Shore, and Woodlawn have you covered!
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Downtown Michigan Avenue
Want to have an incredible day exploring and experiencing the arts in downtown Chicago? Michigan Avenue is the perfect place to go, with a wide variety of fun activities and places all a quick walk away from each other!
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Lincoln Park
Located on the North Side of Chicago right by the lake, Lincoln Park is a beautiful neighborhood with lots of opportunities to engage with arts and culture. Explore the area’s numerous arts organizations along with the rest of the neighborhood!
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Pilsen
Rich in Latino culture, Pilsen is a neighborhood that overflows with music, art, culinary tradition, and nightlife. It’s home to award-winning restaurants, iconic music venues, and sensational murals as far as the eye can see. Maybe that’s why it was named one of the “12 Coolest Neighborhoods Around the World” by Forbes.
ArtsPass FAQ
What is a UChicago ArtsPass?
The UChicago ArtsPass is your University of Chicago Student ID (UCID). New students can get a UCID through the Identification & Privileges Office located in the Regenstein Library. If you are a current student with a valid UCID, no additional registration is necessary.
How do I use my ArtsPass?
Take your UCID to any of our partnering organizations or other participating institutions to receive a discount or free admission. If you are unsure of what the discount is, check our website (under Organizations) or check the organization’s website and directions as to how to access the discounts.
I hear ArtsPass organizes group outings with free transportation to different arts organizations every quarter. How do I find out about these?
Each quarter we organize a few ArtsPass Exclusives and offer behind-the-scenes access with artist conversations, reduced admission, and often include receptions and transportation. To learn more see the ArtsPass Exclusives section of this website, join the ArtsPass Facebook group, or like us on Instagram.
Can faculty and staff take advantage of the ArtsPass program?
Faculty and staff receive the following benefits through the ArtsPass program with your UCID:
Free admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) year-round
A limited number of free passes to the Art Institute of Chicago and Field Museum are available for faculty and staff. Please contact artspass@uchicago.edu to arrange for one.
Free, guided public tours of the Frederick C. Robie House the first Monday of every month and $3 discounts at all other times.
I am a student. Can my spouse/significant other take advantage of the ArtsPass program?
Currently, the only partnership that extends to guests of students is The Field Museum which allows a student with a UCID to attend with one guest.
Unfortunately, most other discounts are only available to University of Chicago students with a valid student ID.
How do I get to a particular institution?
Under each organization, you will see a link to a map, as well as to the CTA and University transport options. We encourage you to use your UPASS to get around the city.
How do students recommend an organization for participation?
If you are interested in suggesting an organization to participate in the UChicago ArtsPass program, send an email to artspass@uchicago.edu with the name, email, and phone number of the organization, and a short note about why you are recommending them.
I contacted a particular organization on this list and they said that the deal listed is no longer available. Is your website wrong? Are they wrong?
If this happens, please contact artspass@uchicago.edu to let us know. Sometimes, communication errors occur, or information needs to be updated. Larger arts organizations tend to have complex channels of communication, and sometimes crucial information gets lost in the shuffle. We work diligently each year to update the information on our website, and to keep all organizations in the loop about any issues that arise.