DePaul Art Museum to close in June amid university financial woes
The museum, which opened in 2011, holds more than 4,000 artworks in the permanent collection.
Labor and Capital
DePaul University, a private Catholic institution in Chicago, will permanently close its art museum in June amid the school’s financial woes.
University president Robert L. Manuel, along with provost Salma Ghanem and chief financial officer Sherri Sidler, announced the closure in a statement Thursday.
“As part of our responsibility to ensure long-term financial sustainability for our university, we are continuing to engage in ongoing budget planning discussions,” university leadership said. “As part of this review, we have made the difficult decision to stop operations in the DePaul Art Museum at the end of this academic year, effective June 30, 2026.”
The leaders said that, in coming weeks, the university would begin discussions on what to do with the museum’s building and collection, asserting that there are no plans to sell the building or leave it vacant.
“We believe it holds significant potential to be transformed into a space that continues to enrich the student experience,” they said. “We will work with DPAM staff to make appropriate determinations about the permanent collection, following museum standards for best practices.”
The university’s website notes that the museum, which opened in 2011, holds more than 4,000 artworks in the permanent collection, while putting on up to four shows per year. Its shows have featured the work of more than 600 Chicagoans and underrepresented artists, according to the museum.
The museum offers free admission to visitors. Urgent Matter has reached out to the university to ask if it had explored paid ticketing or other options to keep the museum open before deciding to close it.
“Some of the world’s most famous museums are just a train ride away, but one of the leading contemporary art museums in Chicago is right on your campus—and it’s free!” the university’s website advertises to prospective students.
“DePaul Art Museum connects people through art and ideas while highlighting international, national and local artists historically marginalized from museum spaces, like women artists, artists of color and LGBTQIA+ artists.”
In December, local broadcaster WTTW reported that DePaul laid off 114 of its 1,493 full-time and part-time staff, amounting to a 7.6% reduction, as it seeks to cut $27.4 million in spending. The university cited enrollment decline and an increased demand for financial aid in announcing those cuts.
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“We understand this decision may be disappointing for you and the broader arts community. It's important to take a moment to celebrate the museum's legacy, as the final exhibitions are set to open next week on March 5,” the university leaders said.
“We are grateful to the dedicated museum staff and artists who have helped make DPAM a meaningful destination for art in the city.”
The decision came as the School of Visual Arts, a private university in New York City, announced that it will end its master’s program in curatorial practice and move its MFA Art Practice program fully online.
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