Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s

Chicago activists in the 1960s and ’70s used design to create powerful slogans, symbols, and imagery to amplify their visions for social change. In Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s, see more than 100 posters, fliers, signs, buttons, newspapers, magazines, and books from the era, expressing often radical ideas about race, war, gender equality, and sexuality that challenged mainstream culture of the time.

As racism, war, gender inequality, and LGBTQIA+ discrimination remain enduring issues shaped by today’s complex world, also see works from a new generation of artivists upholding the city’s rich legacy of protest art to fight for social change.

Note to visitors: In order to protect historical materials on view in this exhibition, we are keeping the light levels low and rotating fragile pieces with similar items or reproductions to preserve the originals for future generations.

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SOUNDS FOR CHANGE

Need some gallery tunes for your earbuds? Wonder what activism through music sounds like? Enjoy our staff-curated playlist of iconic songs of the time that resonated with the movements featured in Designing for Change.

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

Terra Foundation for American Art

Lead Sponsor

Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.

Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s is funded by the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Illinois Office of Tourism

Lead Sponsor

TAWANI Foundation

Presenting Sponsor

National Endowment for the Arts

Presenting Sponsor

Established in part by the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, the Exhibition Innovation Fund has provided additional funding for Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s.

Exhibition Preview

Entryway to the exhibition.

View of people marching in the Cicero March, a civil rights demonstration protesting racist housing policies, in Cicero, Illinois, 1966. CHM, ICHi-036903; Declan Haun, photographer

Interior of the exhibition.

ST-18001901-0023, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum

Curtis Ellis, owner of a bookstore that specializes in Black literature at 6447 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. ST-18001901-0023, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum

Interior of the exhibition.

Silk screen poster, "Take Back the Night," by Estelle Carol and Chicago Women’s Graphics Collective, c. 1976. CHM, ICHi-183506

Interior of the exhibition.

Chicago Gay Liberation movement march down Chicago Avenue, Michigan Avenue, and Randolph Street to Daley Plaza as part of "Gay Pride Week" celebrations, Chicago, Illinois. ST-70001326-0010, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM

Curators

Olivia Mahoney

Exhibition Curator

Olivia Mahoney served for nearly four decades as a curator at the Chicago History Museum. She has written extensively on Chicago history and curated numerous exhibitions including “Chicago: Crossroads of America” and “Modern by Design: Chicago Streamlines America,” the precursor exhibition to “Designing for Change.” Since 2019, Mahoney has been a freelance curator/researcher for the Museum of Science & Industry, the Obama Presidential Center Museum, and the Chicago History Museum.

Charles E. Bethea

Andrew W. Mellon Director of Curatorial Affairs

Charles E. Bethea is responsible for overseeing all curatorial activities, provides an overall curatorial vision and direction, and prioritizes all work in the department. In addition, he provides direction for the Museum’s collecting agenda including new acquisitions and deaccessions and the development of new exhibitions.

INTERESTED IN GROUP TOURS?

Stories are always better when shared! Bring your group to the Chicago History Museum and walk in the footsteps of the city’s past on a private tour. Groups of ten or more adults receive a discount when reserving at least four weeks in advance.

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