As of August 2014, Lake Forest College joined The University Partner’s Program creating a partnership between the College and the Art Institute of Chicago. Lake Forest’s proximity to the city of Chicago is one of the most attractive assets to the college and its students. Yet, the relationship the College has formed with the Institute is not commonly known around campus.
Students should be educated on the substantial amount of opportunity to which they are entitled. The University Partner’s Program allows students free admission to the Art Institute of Chicago by presenting their student ID at both the Modern Wing and the Michigan Avenue entrance. In previous years, the College was only able to give students a ticket at a discounted price with a student ID. Now, the free tickets cover all exhibits offered at the Institute.
Through this new relationship, two Lake Forest College Nights at the Art Institute emerged, where students, faculty, staff—as well as friends and family—are able to celebrate with free admission. The first of these nights was held on September 5, 2014, and another on February 5, 2015. The second night hosted was an unofficial starting event for Family Weekend and was a huge success.
With the visitation number maxing to over 150 people, the Institute presented tours and welcome remarks for the celebratory night. “In general, more faculty and staff have taken advantage of the Lake Forest College Nights in Chicago,” said Jennifer Larsen, the assistant director of the Center for Chicago Programs. However, there has been a healthy mix of students, faculty, staff, and alumni that has taken full advantage of the Art Institute Nights, she said. “The college really takes advantage of its proximity to Chicago.”
With the new Institute relationship, enrolled students are given opportunities to further expand their knowledge as well as use the free admission to explore the Art Institute of Chicago, ranked the Number 1 museum in the World in 2014.
The number of trips to the Institute, both for course-related requirements and students’ own enjoyment, and the college’s proximity makes it a “natural partnership with the Institute,” Larsen said.
