The Art Institute of Chicago, established in 1879, is one of the world's oldest and largest art museums. Located in Chicago's Grant Park, the museum is renowned for its extensive collection of nearly 300,000 works of art, managed by 11 curatorial departments. It houses iconic works such as Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist, and Grant Wood's American Gothic. The museum's collection spans over 5,000 years, covering a wide range of cultures and art forms. The museum is also a leading research institution with a conservation department, five conservation laboratories, and one of the nation's largest art history and architecture libraries. The Art Institute has undergone several expansions since its founding, the most recent being the Modern Wing, which opened in 2009, making it the second-largest art museum in the United States. The Art Institute has a rich history, starting as the Chicago Academy of Design in 1866, and evolving into the world-class museum it is today. It is associated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a leading art school, making it a unified arts institution. The museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike.