CHICAGO GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Art + History: Chicago — A Bilingual Walk Through Three Chicago Masterworks
A one-hour, bilingual (Spanish & English) guided tour at The Art Institute of Chicago that examines three works of art connecting Chicago’s history, migration, and innovation.
Art + History: Chicago — A Bilingual Walk Through Three Chicago Masterworks.
This guided, one-hour program uses three works of art to trace threads of Chicago’s past — from relationships to the land to waves of migration and the city’s legacy of experimentation in art and architecture — while inviting participants to engage in both Spanish and English with educators who represent diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Bilingual Learning with Culturally Rooted Educators
Educators on the tour bring a range of Spanish fluencies and cultural backgrounds, encouraging students to participate in the languages and strategies that feel most comfortable, creating an environment built for reciprocal learning and engagement.
Three Works, Three Threads of Chicago History
The tour focuses on three works of art selected to illuminate themes central to Chicago’s story: relationships to the land; migration and immigration; and the city’s tradition of experimentation and innovation in art and architecture.
Designed for Middle and High School Learners
Framed for grades 7–12, the experience scaffolds conversations about identity, movement, and creativity through close looking and dialogue, fostering connection and understanding in a museum setting.
What the day feels like
What the Tour Feels Like
Over the course of an hour, small groups move through three focused stops in gallery spaces, engaging directly with artworks as educators prompt observation, contextual connections, and comparative discussion; Spanish and English are woven into the experience so students can use the language strategies that best support their learning.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this program fits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The guided experience lasts 1 hour.
Program is offered by The Art Institute of Chicago; groups will meet and move through the museum’s galleries as part of the visit.
For general 6–12 classrooms, the requirement is one adult per 10 students; for inclusive teaching and self-contained classrooms, the ratio is up to one adult per student.
The provided information does not list specific gear or clothing requirements; educators should check with the museum for any additional guidance.
Educators present on the tour have a range of Spanish fluencies and invite contributions in the language or strategies students find most comfortable.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The program is 1 hour in duration.
What grade levels is the tour designed for?
The tour is intended for grades 7–12.
Is the tour conducted in Spanish?
Educators offer a range of Spanish fluencies alongside English; participants are encouraged to engage in the language and strategies they find most comfortable.
How many adults are required per group?
For general 6–12 grade classrooms, one adult per 10 students is required; for inclusive teaching and self-contained classrooms, the ratio is up to one adult per student.
How many artworks will we study?
The tour focuses on three works of art that connect to themes in Chicago’s history.
What themes does the tour explore?
Themes include relationships to the land; migration and immigration; and Chicago’s legacy of experimentation and innovation in art and architecture.