The Chicago Athenaeum is an international museum of architecture and design, located in the city of Chicago, renowned as the birthplace of modern architecture and design. The museum is dedicated to the art of design in various disciplines, including architecture, industrial and product design, graphics, landscape architecture, and urban planning.

With a mission to promote public education about the value of good design, the museum showcases how design can positively impact the human environment, from everyday objects to entire cities. As the only independent museum of architecture and design in the United States, The Chicago Athenaeum has shown exceptional leadership and innovation in bringing design to a national and international audience.

The museum maintains a diverse collection that includes the history of Chicago architecture, industrial design, European and American furniture, Japanese graphics, and works by renowned designers. Additionally, it organizes temporary exhibitions that explore seminal ideas in architectural and design history.

In collaboration with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design, and Urban Studies, the museum hosts prestigious awards programs, including Good Design, American Architecture Awards, International Architecture Awards, and the Green Design Awards. These programs recognize and honor outstanding designs and sustainability efforts from designers and manufacturers worldwide.

The Chicago Athenaeum's International Sculpture Park, situated in Schaumburg, Illinois, features contemporary works by both American and international sculptors, carefully selected to harmonize with the surrounding natural environment.

Overall, The Chicago Athenaeum is a leading institution that celebrates and promotes the power of design, contributing to the advancement of the field and the well-being of society.