Chicago activists in the 1960s and ’70s used design to create powerful slogans, symbols, and imagery to amplify their visions for social change. In Designing for change: Chicago protest art of the 1960s–70s, see more than 100 posters, fliers, signs, buttons, newspapers, magazines, and books from the era, expressing often radical ideas about race, war, gender equality, and sexuality that challenged mainstream culture of the time.

As racism, war, gender inequality, and LGBTQIA+ discrimination remain enduring issues shaped by today’s complex world, also see works from a new generation of artivists upholding the city’s rich legacy of protest art to fight for social change.

Note to visitors: In order to protect historical materials on view in this exhibition, we are keeping the light levels low and rotating fragile pieces with similar items or reproductions to preserve the originals for future generations.

Established in part by the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust and the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, the Exhibition Innovation Fund has provided additional funding for Designing for change: Chicago protest art of the 1960s–70s.