PROGRAM REGISTRATION & RECEPTION: Please join us at 4:30pm in our designated meeting room to register with the program staff and enjoy a brief reception with your fellow participants.
ORIENTATION & OVERVIEW: Enjoy a relaxed orientation and overview of the program, the Palmer House, the Art Institute, and Chicago. Your host will introduce you to the history of the Art Institute and its collection, including the unique historic relationship between the Art Institute and the Palmer House. Your Art Institute Program Coordinate will also provide you with meal vouchers for the Palmer House. Please bring the appropriate voucher for each meal .
Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.Dinner: Following orientation, a light dinner will be served at approximately 6:30. Unless indicated otherwise, dinner will be at the Lockwood Restaurant in the Palmer House lobby. (Be sure to bring the appropriate meal voucher.) Lockwood is a renowned downtown dining destination with a menu featuring American cuisine enhanced by herbs, vegetables, and urban honey harvested from its very own rooftop garden and apiary. Lockwood is a proud supporter of local, sustainable, artisan producers and suppliers.Lodging: Palmer House Hilton HotelMeals Included: Dinner
Depending on our schedule, we may unwind and rest our feet at the end of our first full day with a documentary video in the Art Institute. See Day 3 for details.Dinner: Dinner at the hotel in Lockwood Restaurant. The chef's philosophy is "cooking by hand" with as much made in house from scratch as possible. A choice of entree is offered nightly with your plated and served three-course meal. Evening: FREE EVENING: Take this opportunity to explore the many cultural and historic attractions Chicago has to offers. The city has an outstanding reputation for blues and jazz. You can stroll through Millennium Park to admire the lights and art, or simply relax with the many amenities at the hotel. Consider a visit the Gene Siskel Film Center or Second City comedy improv. Information on Chicago's attractions is provided at orientation on Day 1 and included in your preparatory materials. Lodging: Palmer House Hilton HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You may also wish to enjoy the Art Institute's 12:00 and 2:00 public gallery talks, visit the many special exhibitions, marvel at Thorne Miniature Rooms, or research your passion in the Art Institute's world-class art history library. Take advantage of your complimentary Art Institute audio guide ticket (or save it for later).
Or, enjoy this opportunity to visit one of Chicago's many cultural venues, historic neighborhoods, and other museums. Information on Chicago's attractions is provided at orientation on Day 1 and included in your preparatory materials. Dinner: Dinner at the hotel in Lockwood Restaurant. Evening: FREE EVENING: Take advantage of what this great city has to offer. You may wish to attend an orchestra or theater performance or any of a multitude of other choices. The Museum of Contemporary Art is open late Tuesday evenings and has free entry for Illinois residents. Lodging: Palmer House Hilton HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The afternoon continues with an exploration of a special exhibition or a private gallery talk led by the Art Institute education staff. Enjoy some free time in the late afternoon to explore on your own with a complimentary audio guide.Dinner: Dinner on your own. Enjoy this opportunity to explore Chicago's many excellent and historic eateries, such as Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill, Russian Tea Time, Ada's Famous Deli, 17/west at the Berghoff, the Art Institute's new Modern Wing rooftop restaurant Terzo Piano, and more. A list of recommendations will be provided. Eat on your own time and pace to take advantage of the evening programs at the Art Institute. Evening: Return to the Art Institute this evening to explore on your own or attend the public programs. The Art Institute is open until 8:00pm Thursday evenings. Your preparatory materials will also include information on a free-time performance of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra this evening.Lodging: Palmer House Hilton HotelMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch