Fine Arts Building Commemorates 125 Years

WDCB’s Gary Zidek visits the Fine Arts Building as it celebrates 125 years of supporting Chicago’s creative community.

LISTEN

WDCB 90.9 FM · The Arts Section: Fine Arts Building Celebrates 125

Anyone entering the Fine Arts Building in Chicago is greeted with a phrase above either of the entrances: ALL PASSES - ART ALONE ENDURES.  True in a general sense, great art stays with us, but also prophetic in terms of the structure at 410 south Michigan Avenue. The building has served as a hub of creative activity since 1898.  That ART ALONE  message, which was inspired by a 19th century French poem, has welcomed visitors to the Fine Arts Building for a century and a quarter.

Jacob Harvey, managing artistic director of the Fine Arts Building.

“We really are envisioning the Fine Arts Building to be something like a living museum, and anybody can come to the building and explore, and read about these historic tenants, these big artistic movements that (were) generated from (within) this building or were inspired from this building.” - The Fine Arts Building’s managing artistic director Jacob Harvey talking about all the history that’s inside the structure at 410 S. Michigan Avenue.

Founded in October of 1898, the Fine Arts Building is celebrating it’s milestone 125th anniversary this year with some special offerings, including 2 new exhibits, a self-guided tour and some additional programming.

The Fine Arts Building, at 410 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago, is open: Monday - Friday 7am - 10pm, Saturdays 7am - 9pm & Sundays 9am - 9pm. You can learn more about the special exhibits and the building’s history by visiting fineartsbuilding.com