Featured Program
Geoffrey Baer's Architecture Road Trips
Planning a late-summer getaway? On July 22 CAC docent and WTTW host Geoffrey Baer will share his architecture…
Programs & Events at CAC
At Chicago Architecture Center, our programs and events help you think differently about the places we live, work and play. Get behind-the-scenes access to the city's architectural treasures. Practice your design skills while you play with your family. Participate in expert-led discussions about the latest urban design issues. With these offerings and so many more to choose from, we guarantee there’s something inspiring and fun for you at CAC.
Recommended Programs
Adult Programs
With our focused lectures, members-only events, classes for adult learners and much more, CAC brings you inspiring new ways to stay engaged with Chicago’s architecture and built environment.
Kids, Families & Teens
Dive into the design process with a CAC camp or studio visit. Or have fun with your family as you read, build a project and hone your creative problem-solving skills.
Special Events
Don't miss these once a year or one-time-only special events. Get to know CAC through festivals, members events, exhibition openings and more.
Adult Programs
With our focused lectures, members-only events, classes for adult learners and much more, CAC brings you inspiring new ways to stay engaged with Chicago’s architecture and built environment.
5 Programs in this collection
How Bauhaus Took Hold in Chicago
Hear how Chicago inherited German Bauhaus design with a look at the lasting influence of two famed Illinois…
Geoffrey Baer's Architecture Road Trips
Planning a late-summer getaway? On July 22 CAC docent and WTTW host Geoffrey Baer will share his architecture…
Behind-the-Scenes: GEMS World Academy Upper School
The second phase of GEMS World Academy welcomes its first students later this year, completing a vertical…
Discovering Bronzeville’s Lost Past at IIT
Last year, an astonishing architectural discovery occurred at the Illinois Institute of Technology—remnants…
Daytime Talk: Architecture's Role in the History of Photography
Longtime CAC docent Patrick Pyszka will share insights on the interesting intersection of architecture…
Kids, Families & Teens
Dive into the design process with a CAC camp or studio visit. Or have fun with your family as you read, build a project and hone your creative problem-solving skills.
2 Programs in this collection
LEGO® Build Workshop: Engineering Bridges
Chicago is the birthplace of skyscrapers, but it's also known for its innovative bridges. Learn about…
Millennium Park Family Fun Tent
Join CAC at Millennium Park’s Family Fun Festival from Aug. 5-9. We’ll offer engaging, hands-on activities…
Special Events
Don't miss these once a year or one-time-only special events. Get to know CAC through festivals, members events, exhibition openings and more.
2 Programs in this collection
Auxiliary Board River Cruise Fundraiser: Pirates on the River
Argh you ready for a fun night on the river? Join the CAC Auxiliary Board on their annual river cruise…
Millennium Park Family Fun Tent
Join CAC at Millennium Park’s Family Fun Festival from Aug. 5-9. We’ll offer engaging, hands-on activities…
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Mobile Architecture Lab
Ready to take the Chicago Architecture Center to the next level?! Visit our Mobile Architecture Lab on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 11am and 3pm to interact with the CAC exhibits in new and exciting ways. The lab features fun, hands-on activities…
Chicago Riverwalk Talks
Join us on the Riverwalk as we discuss “The River and Its Architecture – Work, Play and Live”. Learn about the River’s past and plans for the future, the Riverwalk design and why this new playscape is an exciting addition to Chicago.
LEGO® Build Workshop: Engineering Bridges
Chicago is the birthplace of skyscrapers, but it's also known for its innovative bridges. Learn about the Michigan Avenue bridge, a trunnion bascule that was invented right here in Chicago. Build our own bridge and test its strength!
Design Your Neighborhood Camp
Discover the history of Chicago and collaborate with your fellow campers to design and build an ideal neighborhood during this week-long urban planning camp for ages 11-14. Each camper receives a copy of the graphic novel "No Small Plans."
Geoffrey Baer's Architecture Road Trips
Planning a late-summer getaway? On July 22 CAC docent and WTTW host Geoffrey Baer will share his architecture road trip suggestions during this special event. Learn about rewarding stops in popular destinations and must-see sites in smaller towns.
No Small Plans Professional Development Workshop
This training, on July 24 and 25, will familiarize participating educators with themes and issues within the graphic novel, and explain how they can use the graphic novel to support teaching and learning in the classroom.
How Bauhaus Took Hold in Chicago
Hear how Chicago inherited German Bauhaus design with a look at the lasting influence of two famed Illinois Institute of Technology professors: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and László Moholy-Nagy.
Girls Build! Summer 2019 Camp
In this week-long camp, you'll collaborate with other girls ages 11-14, develop leadership skills, meet female architects and learn about design thinking, engineering, architecture and digital design.
Auxiliary Board River Cruise Fundraiser: Pirates on the River
Argh you ready for a fun night on the river? Join the CAC Auxiliary Board on their annual river cruise fundraiser benefiting the CAC’s education programs! Guests will enjoy a sunset cruise with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and on-board entertainment…
Discovering Bronzeville’s Lost Past at IIT
Last year, an astonishing architectural discovery occurred at the Illinois Institute of Technology—remnants of a World’s Fair-era building were found under Crown Hall. Hear about Bronzeville’s lost past and how IIT is trying to recapture some of…
Millennium Park Family Fun Tent
Join CAC at Millennium Park’s Family Fun Festival from Aug. 5-9. We’ll offer engaging, hands-on activities to inspire families to discover why design matters! Learn about architecture and the city through activities that encourage looking, drawing…
Read and Build: Science of Architecture
Have you ever wondered how buildings stand tall and strong? Join us to learn about the science of architecture! Drop in any time before 11am to enjoy multiple readings of “Elara STEM Girl” by Leela Ayyar.
Behind-the-Scenes: GEMS World Academy Upper School
The second phase of GEMS World Academy welcomes its first students later this year, completing a vertical campus on a unique urban site. Tour the state-of-the-art school wedged between Coast and Vista towers with project leads from bKL Architecture.
Daytime Talk: Architecture's Role in the History of Photography
Longtime CAC docent Patrick Pyszka will share insights on the interesting intersection of architecture and photography and explain how he sees this tradition continuing today in his job as principal photographer for the City of Chicago.
Open House Chicago
The Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago is a free public festival on October 19 and 20, 2019, that offers behind-the-scenes access to over 250 buildings across Chicago. Explore the hidden gems and architectural treasures of Chicago’s…