Q1 2024 (Jan-Feb-Mar)

LETTER FROM THE CEO & PRESIDENT

Dear Board, Docents, Volunteers & Staff:

Thanks to our exceptional volunteers, the Chicago Architecture Center has built a strong reputation for the quality of our boat and walking tours as the best in Chicago. These tours introduce our city’s deep architectural history to tourists and Chicagoans alike. Equally important to our mission is advocating for the transformative power of design in Chicago’s built environment and beyond.  

We kicked off this year with a plethora of events and programming that deliver on this mission, as well as continued our commitment to providing educational opportunities for Chicagoans of all ages.  

  • We hosted international conversations around architecture and design. The touring Architecture and Design Film Festival came to the CAC for the second time from January 31-February 4. The festival, which also stopped in New York, Toronto and Vancouver, featured 20 films on architecture and design curated for a Chicago audience, along with relevant public discussions. At the end of February, CAC also partnered with the Villa Albertine team on a night of international design programming called Night of Ideas. During this free event, visitors enjoyed thought-provoking discussions on some of the most pressing local and global issues of our time. 
  • We nurtured the next generation of architects and designers. For the first time, CAC  hosted its annual Engineering Fest off-site at Willis Tower, accommodating a record number of participants. The sold-out event showed children ages 8 to 12 how architecture and engineering intersect to create our built environment. We also continued our Teen Fellows program, which teaches young adults the foundational skills of architecture. Through these initiatives, we are igniting curiosity about architecture, design and related STEM fields in the minds of Chicago's youth.
  • We kicked off a new tour season. March 17 marked the beginning of our 31st season of architectural boat tours aboard Chicago’s First Lady, and spring brings a new schedule of our walking tours across Chicago’s neighborhoods. CAC also welcomed a class of 33 new docents, who will soon join our group of dedicated volunteers who are the heart and soul of the river cruises and walking tours.

We’re looking forward to a busy Q2, including the opening of our latest exhibition, Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtowns, which opened to the public on April 27 and explores architectural solutions to our changing downtown spaces. Additionally, to be announced to the public in May, we’ll re-open our successful photography exhibition, HIGHRISES, in early June featuring Chris Hytha’s beautiful pictures of Art Deco buildings. We’re also thrilled to co-host the 2024 Pritzker Prize Laureate Lecture alongside the Illinois Institute of Technology on May 16; registration is available on our site now.

Thank you for your continued support of the CAC!

Eleanor Gorski

Eleanor Gorski, AIA
CEO & President, Chicago Architecture Center

Q1 BY THE NUMBERS

YOUTH
EDUCATION

2,423 Total registrants across all programs
↑ Up from 2023

ADULT
PROGRAMS

3,928 Total registrants across all programs
↑ Up from 2023

DONORS &
DEVELOPMENT

$98.3k Individual Gifts
$709.7k Corporate & Foundation Gifts
$30k Government Grants
$838k Total Donations
↑ Up from 2023

VOLUNTEERS

447 Volunteers
1537 Hours of Time Given
↑ Up from 2023

CENTER
ATTENDANCE

4,984 Guests
↑ Up from 2023
$16.7k Revenue

MEMBERS &
RETENTION

7,073 Total Members
62% Renewal Rate
$60.4k Revenue

↑ Up from 2023

RIVER
CRUISE

81 Departures
8,686 Guests
$246.9K Net Revenue
↑ Up from 2023

WALKING
TOURS

496 Departures
3,208 Guests
$53.6k Revenue
↑ Up from 2023

RETAIL
SALES

$69.4k In-Store
$2.3k Online
↑ Up from 2023
51.83% Profit Margin

Q1 EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS

Media Highlights

The following highlights represent more than 95+ pieces of earned media coverage for a range of CAC’s products and programs throughout Jan-Feb-Mar 2024, with a publicity value of $1.6M+.

Chicago Tribune

Massive preservation project underway to save one of the oldest public art pieces in Chicago area

Crain's Chicago Business

Opinion: Saving a pair of State Street buildings would help revitalize downtown

Hindustan Times

Riken Yamamoto has been named the winner of the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize

TimeOut

The best things to do in Chicago this week

Today

Visit these popular locations from your favorite rom-coms

Observer

An Aesthete's Guide to Chicago

Chicago Sun-Times

Century-old State Street skyscrapers hit top ranking on list of most endangered Chicago buildings

Furthering the Mission

The core of CAC’s mission is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chicago's rich architectural legacy while encouraging citizens to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities through the built environment. However, recent findings from a brand health survey showed an important gap: many Chicagoans aren’t aware of the full spectrum of CAC’s offerings.

  • 33% of Chicagoans are very familiar with the River Cruise, while only 16% are familiar with our walking tours & 17% familiar with the center itself
  • 56% of people who are not familiar with the CAC said that learning we’re a “nonprofit cultural institution with tours, exhibitions, programs and events for all ages” made them more interested in interacting with us

    • This gap presents CAC with both a challenge and an opportunity to better communicate the vital role that we play in our community.  

    Our best-known products—walking tours, river cruises and Open House Chicago—are not merely leisure activities; they are powerful educational programs that offer participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with the built environment. Whether it's exploring iconic landmarks or uncovering hidden gems, these events and tours serve as a gateway to a deeper understanding of Chicago's architectural landscape. 

    Every ticket sale goes back to the CAC’s mission, playing a vital role in funding educational initiatives that extend far beyond the downtown area. From school outreach programs and field trips to book talks and citizen planner workshops, revenue from our programming ensure that architectural education is accessible to all Chicagoans, regardless of their background or zip code. However, ticket sales alone don’t fund every initiative we offer, so communicating our priorities and broader impact to potential donors and corporate sponsors is also paramount. We must better inform the public about everything that the CAC does.   

    As members of the CAC community, each of you plays a pivotal role in shaping our narrative and advancing our mission. Whether you are a dedicated volunteer leading tours, a staff member guiding programs, or a committed board member guiding our strategic direction, your contributions are invaluable. 

    In the coming months, we will be rolling out targeted communications initiatives designed to amplify our message and strengthen our connection with the people of Chicago. Through strategic storytelling, civic engagement, and meaningful partnerships, we will work together to ensure that the Chicago Architecture Center is recognized for its unwavering commitment to education and community engagement. 

    Thank you for your continued dedication and support. Together, we will build a brighter future for Chicago through architecture and education.  

    Please contact Jorrie Jarrett (jjarrett@architecture.org) with any questions or input on the content of this report.

    Chicago Architecture Center
    111 East Wacker Drive, Chicago IL 60601
    info@architecture.org
    Follow us @chiarchitecture

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