Events and Happenings at the CAC 5.14-5.16
Teen Fellows will be in the Skyscraper Gallery on Saturday, May 14, showcasing their work from 11-1.
Painters will be onsite Monday, May 16 in the galleries for minor repairs.
The dance floor for the Energy Revolution exhibit is installed!!!
Upgraded Network and Wifi Information
We’ve made some updates to our network and changed the wifi password. You should experience faster internet speeds immediately, in the Office as well as the Galleries and Store. The computers in the library are already updated but use the information below to update your phone/laptop as you see fit.
Guest Wireless
SSID: Chicago Architecture Guest
Key: welcometocac
Updates to CAC Memberships
CAC has made some slight changes to our member benefits. The most notable change is that members will now pay for Premier Tours (neighborhood tour offerings). Tours departing from the CAC will remain free. Please review our new member benefits here for a more detailed listing.
Members can email me********@ar**********.org with questions about the policy. When members have to start paying for certain tours depends on when the membership started and/or expired. Anyone who purchased a new membership after April 18 will follow the new layout.
Current CAC members who renewed their membership prior to April 18 will continue to have the previous member benefits until their next renewal (so that depends on if they have a one or two year membership).
All members will be under the new plan by April 2024.
REMINDER: We do not accept walk-ups anymore. Members regardless of where they fall in line with the rollout, still need to make reservations in advance.
What about docents and volunteers?
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services are eligible to earn an INDIVIDUAL membership or DUAL membership (pending hours served or option to upgrade) as long as they fulfill their requirements the prior year.
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services will still have FREE access to ALL walking tours.
- All docents, education guides, exhibit hosts, and guest services receive a 20% discount in the CAC Design Store.
When did the new membership benefits structure go into effect?
- The new membership benefits went into effect on Monday, April 18, 2022. Current CAC members who renewed their membership prior to April 18 will continue to have the previous member benefits until their next renewal.
When will my membership benefits change?
If you joined as a new member of CAC or if you have renewed your CAC membership prior to Monday, April 18, 2022, your member benefits will change once your current membership expires and you renew.
Has the price of membership increased?
- The price of membership has not increased.
Exhibit/Tours/Programs-April Recap
Walking Tours
There were 256 walking tour departures in April. Average tour capacity utilization was 47% for the month with an average of 6.5 guests per departure. 53% of guests were members. Beginning in April, the Center was open 7 days a week, 10am – 5pm, with tours departing daily.
River Cruise
River Cruise began for the season on April 1, with departures going out daily. There were 198 departures and 9 cruises went out at over 90% capacity but the average capacity utilization for the month was 35%.
Exhibits
The new energy revolution exhibit opened on April 9. April total exhibit attendance was 2,440 guests. This included 847 adult tickets, 385 student tickets, 394 ARC upsell purchasers, 186 walking attendees, 154 OTA (online travel agency) purchasers, 120 comps, and 289 members.
Group Sales
Group Sales has seen a significant increase in business as tourism returns to the City. Group Sales is on a pace to meet 96% of our 2019 sales.
Retail Sales
Retail sales in the month of April were almost triple that of the month of March. Our sales profit margin was at 62%. The focus of April was adjusting to full time hours and figuring out what the new CAC guest is searching for in our store. Our top three categories are as follows: Educational Toys, Books, and T-shirts. Guests are excited about CAC branded gifts.
New Hires
New additions to the CAC include:
Dana Aldweik, Teen Programs Educator effective April 25. Dana is a Palestinian American who holds a B.S. in Architecture from UIC. Prior to the CAC, she worked as a Site Planner at Brookfield Properties Retail and an Architecture Tutor at Harold Washington College. Some of her work was exhibited at the CAC when she participated in the New House competition in 2017. She is also a Professional Real Estate Photographer!
Liliana Macias, Education Programs Manager effective April 25. Liliana holds both a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Latinx and Latin American Studies, and is currently working towards a PhD in History. Prior to the CAC, she worked as an adjunct lecturer at Northeastern Illinois University and served as a manager of the Chicago Learning Collaborative educational initiative at the Chicago History Museum. Outside of work and school, she loves spending time with her cats and family, and is the daughter of two amazing CPS teachers.
Paul Charkin, Accounting Manager effective April 25. Paul is a lifelong Chicagoan, who loves photography and participating in theater. Prior to the CAC, Paul worked at an all-cats animal shelter, where his favorite job benefit was spending his lunch break with the animals.
CAC Updated Mask Policy-NEW
Effective immediately and in alignment with public health agencies, CAC will adhere to the new guidance by making face coverings highly encouraged and recommended, rather than required for staff, docents and volunteers. All guidance will apply to both the 13th floor and within the center. Chicago Architecture Center’s current testing and quarantine requirements for individuals who have been exposed to the virus or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are still in effect for all employees.
New Comp Ticket Request Form
We have updated the link on The Bridge for Comp Request Form. If you have bookmarked this page, please delete and use the new one located underneath Quick Links.
There are new logins for the library computers. Please refer to this article for more information: New Login Information for Library Computers.
Vaccine Requirement: If you have not shown proof of vaccination, you have been marked “inactive” and will not be able to sign up tours/shifts. If you want to continue volunteering with the CAC, please contact Caroline at cd***@ar**********.org as soon as possible.
Neighborhood Tours: 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. This applies to Neighborhood tours ONLY.
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.
PARKING
We are no longer issuing the parking vouchers for members. The discounted parking is still available 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.