National Museum of Mexican Art

A museum founded in Pilsen

The institution began in Chicago in 1982, with a focus on Mexican art and culture, education and access. It opened at its current Pilsen location in 1987 and took the name National Museum of Mexican Art in 2006. Its galleries give Mexican and Mexican American artists a place to tell stories about art, identity, history and community in their own terms.

Pilsen is home to a large Mexican community, and the museum sits near Harrison Park. The surrounding neighborhood adds another layer to the visit: murals and other street art appear along local streets, with small galleries and restaurants nearby. The museum can work as a stand-alone stop or as the start of a longer walk through the area.

Art from ancient Mexico to the present

The collection spans thousands of years and includes work in many forms, among them paintings, sculpture, photography, textiles, prints, drawings, folk art and historical objects. The displays move between traditional and contemporary practices, with works by Mexican, Mexican American, Latino and Chicano artists. Some galleries address political activism and the Mexican American experience; others focus on earlier art and cultural traditions.

Exhibitions have included pre-Hispanic and Mesoamerican art, colonial-era works, folk art and modern and contemporary pieces. The permanent presentation titled “Nuestra Historias” has included art ranging from 18th-century religious paintings to a decorated lawn mower. Temporary exhibitions change, so check the museum’s website before you go if you have a particular artist or subject in mind. Past exhibitions have included work by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Carmen Lomas Garza and Ester Hernandez.

Planning your visit

Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. The galleries are listed as wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and parking. Allow around two hours to explore the displays without rushing. Visitors are asked to sign in at arrival, and liquids are not permitted inside the galleries.

The museum shop sells art-related and cultural items, and the building also lists a restaurant and marketplace. Check the museum’s current information for details about exhibitions, tours and events, including cultural programming in dance, music, theatre and other performing arts. Día de los Muertos displays are a seasonal reason to consider an October visit, but exhibition dates can change.

After the galleries, walk around Pilsen for murals, local galleries and places to eat. The neighborhood is part of the experience, though it is not a substitute for checking which museum exhibitions are on view during your visit.