About the CAC

The CAC is a nonprofit cultural organization offering education, tours, exhibitions, and cruises.

Our Story

CAC by the Numbers

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) highlights the stories behind the buildings and the visionaries who create them. Discover our reach and impact in bringing architecture and design to life for visitors and the community.

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    Annual Visitors
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    Citywide Tours
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    Children and Families Directly Engaged
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    Tours Run Each Season

our mission

The Chicago Architecture Center inspires people to discover why design matters.

our vision

The Chicago Architecture Center is the leading organization devoted to celebrating and promoting Chicago as a center of architectural innovation. As Chicago’s forum for the exchange of ideas on urban design, the CAC inspires people to participate in the building of vibrant communities and to demand the highest standard in urban design. The CAC awakens young people to achieve their potential through the discovery of architecture, engineering and design.

Photo Credit_ James Steinkamp; Courtesy of CAC Photo Credit_ James Steinkamp; Courtesy of CAC

Our History

Formerly known as the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 to save the historic Glessner House. Since then, the CAC has grown to become one of the largest cultural organizations in Chicago.

Our Story

Awards

  • 2024

    Best architecture tours of Chicago

  • 2024

    Voted #1 Boat Tour in the US

  • 2024

    Best Experiences in the US

  • 2019

    1 of 12 worldwide to receive the "Best Tour on Two Feet" award

  • 2019

    business impact of the year

  • 2019

    top five best new attractions

  • 2022

    AIA national design award for interior architecture

  • 2024

    #1 Chicago Boat Tour for 10+ years

  • 2024

    6 best tours and walks in Chicago

  • 2024

    Best architecture tours of Chicago

  • 2024

    Voted #1 Boat Tour in the US

  • 2024

    Best Experiences in the US

  • 2019

    1 of 12 worldwide to receive the "Best Tour on Two Feet" award

  • 2019

    business impact of the year

  • 2019

    top five best new attractions

  • 2022

    AIA national design award for interior architecture

  • 2024

    #1 Chicago Boat Tour for 10+ years

  • 2024

    6 best tours and walks in Chicago

  • 2024

    Best architecture tours of Chicago

  • 2024

    Voted #1 Boat Tour in the US

  • 2024

    Best Experiences in the US

  • 2019

    1 of 12 worldwide to receive the "Best Tour on Two Feet" award

  • 2019

    business impact of the year

  • 2019

    top five best new attractions

  • 2022

    AIA national design award for interior architecture

  • 2024

    #1 Chicago Boat Tour for 10+ years

  • 2024

    6 best tours and walks in Chicago

Photo Credit_ James Steinkamp; Courtesy of CAC Photo Credit_ James Steinkamp; Courtesy of CAC

Our Team

Meet the dedicated team behind the Chicago Architecture Center—explore our leadership and board bios to learn more about the individuals driving our mission forward.

Meet the People
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY

CAC IS COMMITTED to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for its staff, volunteers and visitors. We recognize and value the unique life experience that every individual brings to our organization, and the need to include and reflect diverse voices in CAC content and programming, especially those from historically excluded populations. We will uphold this commitment starting from within, by:


  • Building a culture of accountability and sharing, with opportunities for self-reflection.
  • Educating ourselves about BIPOC histories, systemic racism, implicit bias and the need to adopt anti-racist actions.
  • Creating brave spaces for staff to safely discuss thoughts and feelings about injustice, micro-aggressions or prejudiced behavior in constructive ways.
  • Seeking to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented staff and volunteers from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented.
  • Pursuing external input and feedback to incorporate inclusion into CAC’s strategic plan and organizational, departmental, and individual performance goals.
  • Building Icon

    Association of Architecture Organizations

    An international member-based network that connects, supports and advocates for advancing the role of architecture, planning and design.

    Learn more
  • Building Icon

    Architecture + Design Education Network

    A forum for sharing resources and exchanging information on effective practices for K-12 architecture and design education.

    Learn More
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