Ongoing:
Vaccine Requirement
As we continue to follow the guidance of the CDC and Federal Government, the Chicago Architecture Center has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective November 1st requiring Covid vaccinations for all current and new employees and volunteers. In accordance with CAC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our customers and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. CAC’s requirement supports the public health goals of the State of Illinois to vaccinate as many people as possible.
If you are volunteering at the CAC, November 1st or later, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination by October 31st. If that is not possible, Caroline will work with you to exempt you from your tour or volunteer duty.
Please email vo********@ar**********.org with a picture of your vaccination card.
This requirement follows the guidelines of the Federal Government and the CDC. As requirements change, we will continue to implement the guidance of the CDC, Federal, State, or City guidelines as it applies to staff, volunteers, or guests.
Retail Update: We are currently in the final stages of transitioning our retail store from our partnership with Event Network to managing it “in-house” again. Event Network begins moving out Monday, Oct 18 and we are giving them 3 days to move out equipment and some product. CAC begins to take over the space on the afternoon of Oct 20th. We will announce when the “doors” are open again.
Strategic Planning Presentations-Lynn Osmond will present on the recently approved strategic plan. Sessions will also be recorded.
The Will Call lists will be posted on The Bridge after 5 pm the day before your tour. Look for Will Call List under Quick Links. If the Will Call list is not posted, you can email ti*****@ar**********.org and staff will get an updated version up as soon as possible. If your tour is not listed on the current will call list, this means there are no sales and you do not need to come in for your tour.
Guests must sign up for neighborhood tours on line. We are currently not allowing walk-up purchases for neighborhood tours. This is now clearly stated on the CAC website. Notes under all neighborhood tours include this language:
- Advance reservations are required for this tour.
- Access to building interiors featured on this tour may be subject to change, due to weekend and holiday schedules or unforeseen closures.
- Ticket price includes entrance to the Chicago Architecture Center within 7 days of your tour.
- View the CAC’s hours.
Please also be sure to fill out the Neighborhood Tour Report Form after your tour. If your tour has zero tickets, you do not need to fill out the report. If your tour is not listed, choose OTHER and fill in the tour name in the comments.
And be sure to review CAC’s COVID Safety Policies for our guests.
PARKING
We are no longer issuing the parking vouchers for members. The discounted parking is still availlable at 111 East Wacker Drive. CAC guests and members receive but YOU MUST GET YOUR PARKING TICKET STAMPED at the CAC Box Office or the dockside CFL River Cruise box office. 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.
Several other public parking garages are available in the River North and Loop neighborhoods. SpotHero can help you find a good deal. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Chicago Architecture Center SpotHero Parking Page and book with rates up to 50% off drive-up. Please note: if parking is prepurchased, early arrival or departure is subjected to additional charges at the garage’s discretion. New to SpotHero? Click here to download the SpotHero app. Questions? Give SpotHero a call at (312) 566-7768.
THOMPSON CENTER IDEAS COMPETITION EXHIBIT
The CAC Content team is currently finalizing designs for a pop-up exhibit to be placed in the John and Kathleen Buck Atrium. The show displays the winning and finalists’ submissions from the Chicago Prize/Thompson Center Ideas Competition that we have been co-hosting with the Chicago Architectural Club.
This FREE exhibit will open Tuesday, September 14 and run through late 2021 (exact end date TBD). The Content team has provided links to the Finalists press announcement, as well as a brief slideshow of the exhibit layout and renderings from the seven finalists’ competition submissions.
As an extra touch, you can see Helmut Jahn’s scheme for a Thompson remake, along with a copy of a letter he wrote to Sun-Times reporter David Roeder explaining the thinking behind his plan—it’s a fun read! (If you have questions about the exhibit, please feel free to write pr******@ar**********.org.)
Guest Survey
Exhibit Hosts are being asked to help with new guest survey in regards to the Jahn exhibit. This feedback is essential as we plan for engaging and informative future exhibits in our gallery spaces. We plan to collect information now through (at least) September. Exhibit Hosts signed up for shifts during this time have been sent instructions.
Staff updates
Madeline Sneed has been promoted to Floor Manager for the Center effective Thursday, September 1st. This is a new role at the CAC which will focus on all our Customer facing areas with a high level of interaction with guests, volunteers, and staff. Madeline will be here Thursday through Monday most weeks and provide consistent leadership for Customer Service and ownership of our space. She will continue to help support Caroline in volunteer scheduling but please continue to email Caroline with shift changes.
A native of Ohio, Madeline has worked extensively in theatre management. She recently graduated from Kent State University and has previously worked in the Box Offices at Kent State and Porthouse Theatre. She is very excited to have joined the CAC team this summer as a Ticket Services Shift Lead and is looking forward to working in her new position as Floor Manager. Please make her feel welcome, and if you haven’t had a chance to meet her yet, introduce yourself.
William Berthouex is transitioning from Box Office Shift Lead to Group Sales. He will still be in the role of Shift Lead on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but will be working in Group Sales on the 13th floor more often. In addition to supporting Blake with group sales he will continue to manage the logistics of our OTA offerings (think Trip Advisor tour descriptions and availability).
- QR Code for TripAdvisor
- We are testing a slightly lower rate for admission to the Center, Adult admission rate will lower to $14 per person effective 8/21. The Student rate will remain at $10. The River Cruise add-on price is still $5.
- No Walk-Ups on Neighborhood Tours: Please remember that we are still not allowing for walk-ups on tours. This is listed on website for all guests/members to see.
- Below is a list of tours with the status of their interiors. These are tours that are currently on the schedule. We are still evaluating the schedule and/or waiting on confirmation on interior access for tours not listed. Masks are required while inside any interior (per CDC guidelines).
- CDC Guidelines were updated on architecture.org here and will also be in the upcoming CAC@Home.
