Illinois' Art Chicago at Merchandise Mart is the most important art fair in the US. For four days every year, around 200 galleries exhibit and sell the work of about 3000 artists, from famous names to the up-and-coming and unknowns. Not all prices are sky high at Art Chicago - with prints and smaller drawings on offer, you could escape only US$100 or so poorer. However, there is still the option to spend a million if you really want to...

Sales for previous Art Chicago have been known to hit US $60 million, so there's no doubt this show in Illinois state is ultimately about big bucks, but the diversity and flexibility of its scope makes it a fascinating insight into the contemporary art scene. With exhibitors from a wide variety of countries, it can scarcely be accused of being inward-looking.

Opening Hours:
Fri & Sat 11am-7pm; Sun 11am-6pm; Mon 11am-4pm