Collection History

Today the UIMA is home to one of the world’s largest collections of Ukrainian-American abstract and minimalist works from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The UIMA collection is increasingly being recognized for its breadth and quality. Many of the artists represented have world-class reputations; their works can also be found such places as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery, and the Barnes Collection.

From its onset, the permanent collection served as an ongoing educational resource, providing the public with examples of work being produced by nationally and internationally recognized contemporary artists. A unique aspect of its formation was the Institute’s policy of requesting exhibiting artists to donate one work to the permanent collection. This supplemented gallery acquisitions and donations by collectors. Although not every artist chose to contribute, in many ways, the permanent collection documents the Institute’s exhibition program. The collection is diverse, comprised of a variety of styles primarily from the latter half of the twentieth century, including Minimalism, Conceptualism and Computer Art. It also features numerous media, such as sculpture, painting, prints, photography, fiber and ceramics.

Please direct all inquiries regarding the permanent collection to Adrienne Kochman (adrienne@uima-chicago.org).

Below is selection of some of the artists in our collection—stay tuned as we continue to add more.