ART on THE MART

Contemporary art projections on the façade of THE MART in Chicago

ART on THE MART is a digital art platform that turns an iconic building into a permanent, large-scale canvas. Its video mapping projections unfold across the 2.5-acre façade of THE MART, the largest privately held commercial building in the United States, located along Chicago's Riverwalk. The program is presented in partnership with Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

The platform was founded in 2018 as a result of a 30-year commitment by Vornado Realty Trust, owner of THE MART, to the City of Chicago, with the shared goal of providing public access to innovative contemporary art for the thousands of visitors who walk along the riverwalk. The projections are visible from Wacker Drive and along the Riverwalk.

Programming and artists

ART on THE MART presents pioneering moving image work by contemporary artists of local, national, and international renown. The program has commissioned work by creators such as Derrick Adams, Charles Atlas, Nick Cave, and Barbara Kruger, along with projections by Chicago-based artists and partner organizations, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project, and Chicago Public Schools.

The 2026 programming includes, among other proposals, a visualization of the structure of zeolites developed by Argonne National Laboratory and the Electronic Visualization Laboratory, and a piece by the Adler Planetarium. In the special occasion projections section is The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker, with scenes from the holiday classic set to Tchaikovsky's score and choreography by Tony Award-winning Christopher Wheeldon.

Schedule and operation

The projections are offered free of charge and open to the public for nine months a year, from April to December. The 2026 calendar begins on April 9 and is organized over four nights per week, Thursday through Sunday, with half an hour of projection per night. Times vary by season: from April 9 to May 31, 8:30 to 9:00 pm; from June 4 to September 6, 9:00 to 9:30 pm; and from September 10 to December 27, 7:30 to 8:00 pm.

Foundation and funding

The ART on THE MART Foundation, established in 2022 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, channels external contributions for content commissions through sponsorships, in-kind contributions, foundation grants, and individual donations. Its goal is to expand funding for artist fees and other production costs.

The operations, maintenance, events, and marketing of the platform have been funded by THE MART and its parent company, Vornado Realty Trust, which maintain their commitment at least for the remainder of the 30-year public-private partnership. THE MART's initial philanthropic investment exceeded $10 million and its continued support allows ART on THE MART to operate without taxpayer contributions, leaving the foundation focused on creating additional opportunities for diverse artists and educational and cultural partners.

Team and governance

Executive direction is provided by Cynthia Noble. Raphael Gygax serves as independent curator and guest digital art curator. The curatorial advisory board brings together Giampaolo Bianconi (Art Institute of Chicago), Jimmy Castillo (DCASE), Tony Karman (EXPO CHICAGO), Bana Kattan (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago), Mark Kelly (DCASE), Gary F. Metzner (Sotheby's), Francesa Pola (Vita-Salute San Raffaele University), Adia Sykes (Threewalls), and artists Jan Tichy and Amanda Williams.

Together with the City of Chicago, the platform maintains a civic advisory council with representatives from THE MART, DCASE, the Chicago Police Department, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Fleet and Facility Management, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the 42nd Ward Alderman's Office, the Harbor Safety Committee, and the U.S. Coast Guard.