Chicago Art Museums Close Due to ‘Extreme Weather’

The Art Institute of Chicago. View of Michigan Avenue Entrance.

COURTESY THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

With weather reports for Chicago forecasting a low temperature of -21 degrees in a potentially record-breaking cold snap, some of the city’s art institutions announced they will close on Wednesday so as to keep potential museum-goers home. An announcement on Tuesday afternoon said the Hyde Park Art Center will be closed “due to extreme weather.” (“Stay safe + warm!,” it urged.)

Similarly, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum of Mexican Art, the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, and the DePaul Art Museum will close for the day.

With wind-chill estimates ranging from 30 to 55 degrees below zero, CBS Chicago advised against speaking while outside so as to protect lungs from the cold air. Temperatures on Thursday are supposed to jump up to a more palatable 1 degree, though some of the museums closing encouraged checking back to see when they might be open next.