LETTER FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT
Dear Board, Docents, Volunteers & Staff:
The Chicago Architecture Center’s busy tour season is in full swing, and we’re excited to announce that both river cruises and walking tours are experiencing year-over-year growth. Not only do these tours further our mission by introducing visitors and Chicagoans alike to our city’s deep architectural history, but they are crucial to furthering our educational and advocacy efforts.
It’s thanks to our incredible community of volunteer docents that we’ve been able to grow our tours. In this report, you’ll find a Letter to the Editor from CAC trustee Graham Grady, recently published in the Chicago Tribune, highlighting the indispensable role of volunteer docents in Chicago’s cultural institutions. Thank you, Graham, for articulating what we at CAC hold dear.
Beyond our uptick in tour revenue, we’ve had a busy first half of the year with exhibit openings and events. READ MORE HERE
New Exhibit: The New Magnificent: Visions to Renew and Reconnect the Mag Mile
CAC debuted a new temporary exhibition called The New Magnificent: Visions to Renew and Reconnect the Mag Mile. This is a small exhibit that will have an intro panel and four foam core panels in the Center’s Lobby.
From the online description: In this pop-up exhibition, we showcase two related but distinct design proposals for improving the economic vitality and overall experience of the Magnificent Mile: MM2050 by Lamar Johnson Collaborative, commissioned by the Magnificent Mile Association; and Reimagining North Michigan Avenue by Gensler, commissioned by Parkside Realty. The themes explored here are unpacked further in our Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns exhibition on view in the upstairs Skyscraper Gallery.
Please take a moment to review the exhibit description online.
Incident Report
The Chicago Architecture Center actively works to create safe and accessible spaces and experiences for visitors, staff, docents and volunteers. We support our colleagues in the event of illness, injury and other incidents that may occur during the operation of CAC programs and day-to-day business. After an incident has occurred, please use this form to report details so CAC can accurately document and respond to incidents. By providing accurate information, CAC can effectively anticipate and correct potential risks and hazards for our colleagues and visitors. If you require assistance or an alternative method of reporting an incident, please contact the volunteer staff.
This form is for any incident regarding staff, volunteer, and visitor safety, injuries, or specific issues that have affected the day-to-day operations of the Center and its individual programs. It should be used as a way to report and log issues to Center staff and leadership. It should not be used for general complaints, concerns, or ideas for improvements.
Examples:
A visitor injures themselves on a tour.
A staff member has a disruptive interaction with a visitor.
A docent encounters a safety issue while on a walking tour.
Link to the form is here: CAC Incident Report. Hard copies can be found on the 1st floor offices.
Emergency Cell Number
Please use the emergency phone 312.330.3432 for day of tour emergencies (like you are unable to give a tour due to traffic). This is not the number to use to check ticket sales.
Updated Parking Information:
The CAC currently offers a discounted parking rate of $15 for 4 hours at 111 East Wacker Drive. Guests and volunteers must get their parking ticket stamped at the CAC Box Office or the dockside CFL River Cruise box office prior to paying. To receive your discounted rate pay at the LAZ garage office located inside 111 E Wacker opposite Potbellies Sandwiches. The parking garage is open 24/7.
Legacy Parking would also like to offer CAC team and volunteers a $12 rate for up to 12 hours of parking at Michigan Plaza, located at 225 N. Michigan Ave, conveniently connected to the Illinois Center via pedway. Legacy Parking can facilitate these transactions via the ParkChirp phone app.
Here’s how the phone app works:
1. Download the ParkChirp Mobile App. ParkChirp’s new iOS and Android apps provide a simple way to search, select and purchase your parking. Just download the app, input your payment information and park!
Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.parkchirp&hl=en
Apple – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parkchirp/id1457216510
- Once downloaded, search for The Michigan Plaza Parking Facility.
3. Select your parking parameters
4. Input the Promo Code: CAC
Directions to Michigan Plaza Garage
From the south: Take Columbus Drive north past Randolph and Lake Street to East South Water street and turn left going down the ramp to the stop sign. Turn left (a hairpin 180° turn) and proceed to the next stop sign, which is Lower Columbus Drive. Turn right onto Columbus and at the first street on the right, Lake Street, take another right turn. Go straight ahead to the Michigan Plaza Parking Garage Entrance.
From the north: Take Columbus Drive south to the first light past Wacker Drive, which is East South Water Street. Turn right going down the ramp to the stop sign. Turn left (a hairpin 180° turn) and proceed to the next stop sign, which is Lower Columbus Drive. Turn right onto Columbus and at the first street on the right, Lake Street, take another right turn. Go straight ahead to the Michigan Plaza Parking Garage Entrance.
From Michigan Avenue: Turn west on Lake Street and right at the first street, Garland Court. Turn right on lower South Water Street. Turn right on Lower Columbus Drive and at the first street on the right, Lake Street, take another right turn. Go straight ahead to the Michigan Plaza Parking Garage Entrance
Wifi Information
Guest Wireless
SSID: Chicago Architecture Guest
Key: welcometocac
Comp Ticket Request Form
Please utilize the “Comp Ticket Request Form” under quick links. All requests are processed by our Box Office Staff, so please allow at least 72 hours for all ticket requests.