The Museum of Science and Industry brings back its yearly tradition to celebrate the achievements made by African American innovators and artists with a few different twists in 2021. Opening April 7 and running through July 4, the exposition highlights the juried art exhibit and features a display of Chicago’s African American leaders in science, technology, engineering, art and medicine. Timed tickets and masks are required to visit MSI.
Juried Art Exhibition
Walk around the longest-running gallery of African American art in the country with more than 100 works, including from teens. This year, the exhibition waived the entry fee, so more than 600 artists submitted work. Some focus on the pandemic, the #BLM movement and life inside a bubble. Other works focus on the African American experience.
Innovation Studio
Since hands-on opportunities aren’t welcome during COVID-19 precautions, families can enjoy a video highlighting four of Chicago’s top African American leaders in innovation. Video interviews of the group – including Tonika Lewis-Johnson (artist and creator of The Folded Map Project), Ian Michael Brock (high school student and co-founder of Dream Hustle Code), Taylor Staten (architect at TnS Studio) and J. Ivy (performance poet and author) – can also be seen on MSI’s social media outlets.
Black Creativity Events
The exhibition typically runs during Black History Month in February, but because of capacity requirements at the museum the duration has been extended for three months to allow more guests to view the artwork. Illinois families can sign up for free admission to the museum to enjoy Black Creativity Family Day on June 19 (Juneteenth). Advanced tickets are required.
If you go
- April 7-July 4, 2021
- Included with general admission, timed tickets required
- Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
