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Venue: Chicago Cultural Center

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Venue: Chicago Cultural Center

Completed in 1897 as Chicago’s first central public library, the Chicago Cultural Center building was designed to impress and to prove that Chicago had grown into a sophisticated metropolis. In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the nation’s first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center presents hundreds of free international, national, regional and local artists, musicians and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts.

Following a year-long construction period, the 200-seat multi-purpose Claudia Cassidy Theater was recently transformed with all new theater seats and major technology upgrades, including a state-of-the-art movie projector, screen, and speaker system. The finishing touches include major improvements to the stage lighting, upgraded acoustic panels, and a new curtain system for the stage.

Chicago Cultural Center

Claudia Cassidy Theater
78 E Washington St, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60602
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Exterior of the Chicago Cultural Center
The Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center

Public Transit, Parking & Accessibility

The Cultural Center is 0.2 miles away from the #3, #4, #20, #26, #60, #66, #124, #143, #147, #151, #157, #X9, #J14, #56, and #66 CTA buses, and within 600 feet of the Washington/Wabash Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Line Station, which is an accessible station with an elevator between street level and the platform. It is within 0.2 miles of the Lake Red Line Station, also an accessible station, and the Washington Blue Line, which is not accessible.

The wheelchair accessible entrance is located street level at Garland Court and Randolph Street, and leads to the westernmost Randolph Square entry doors, which have power-assisted opening. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for use at the Chicago Cultural Center. An accessibility lift is available to access the Claudia Cassidy Theater.