Embrace the academic, artistic culture of Evanston in a university museum that hosts exhibitions, film screenings and events in a stylish modern space.
The campus of Northwestern University is a hub of culture in the town of Evanston and one of its finest attractions is the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art. Explore its spacious galleries and enjoy a range of temporary exhibitions, or come here for an event such as a film screening or a public lecture.
The museum is named after Mary and Leigh Block, two generous benefactors who gave money to the university in 1980 for the purpose of building an arts venue. Explore the multifunctional building that resulted from the gift. Today, it houses over 5,000 items in its collection and hosts educational events throughout the year.
Browse the works in the museum’s permanent collection, which features paintings and sculptures from every century between the 15th and the 21st. Look for recognizable names such as Albrecht Dürer and Andy Warhol. One gallery is dedicated to computer-generated works from the 1950s onward.
Visit multiple times throughout the year to see the range of exhibitions that are hosted in the galleries here. Arts students at the university often display their works inspired by a theme, while you can regularly encounter touring exhibitions fueled by contemporary ideas. Come back in the evenings for public lectures and educational programs or watch something from the schedule of film screenings.
The museum is located among a collection of venues, known as the Arts Circle, in the south of Northwestern’s campus. After enjoying its galleries, take a trip to some of the other attractions in the Arts Circle. Watch a play in the Josephine Louis Theater or enjoy a performance in the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.
Drive to the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art from central Evanston, which is just over a mile (about 2 kilometers) away. Make use of the extensive university parking. Buses run to just outside the university campus. The museum is open every day except Mondays and during the school’s winter break. Docent-led tours of the modern, geometric building are available for groups if you book in advance.
