Chicago may be known for its architecture and food (it has how many Michelin-star restaurants?), but it also has a swinging art scene. (And considering that the city ranks fourth as among the most livable for those in creative industries according to a 2023 study by Axios, it makes perfect sense.) In addition to the world-renown Art Institute of Chicago, which houses nearly 300,000 works of art alone, there are countless independent spaces to explore—which is exactly why we did a deep dive into the best Chicago art galleries, tapping those in-the-know for their go-to spots for collecting, inspiration, culture and more.