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General Information


Let's Get A Few Basics Out Of The Way!

The images available through this site represent only a fraction of the Art Institute's collection. Can't find what you're looking for online? Submit the Search Request form and we'll gladly search our file for you.

All images are licensed on a non-exclusive, rights managed (RM) basis, which means the license will be limited to a specific project, size, distribution, medium, and timeframe; price will vary with these factors. To reuse the photo later on or for additional uses, you will need to re-license it.

Are You In The Right Place?

  • Are you a member of the media looking for images related to an educational program or exhibition at the Art Institute? If so, please contact Public Affairs.
  • Are you a product developer? To license an image for use in a product for resale, please contact Product Development.
  • Are you interested in using the Art Institute as a location for your film or photography shoot? If so, send your request to Public Affairs. Please note that the Art Institute requires a minimum three-week notice. In-person requests for same-day filming or photography will not be granted, so plan ahead.
  • Are you looking for a print to display in your home? Reproductions of selected works are available for purchase in our Museum Shop.

Restrictions As To Use

The following uses are prohibited:

  • Promotion of Alcohol or Tobacco Products
  • Political Campaigns
  • Corporate Logos
  • Credit Card, ATM/Debit Card, or Check Illustrations
  • Promotion or Denigration of Religious Affiliations
  • Promotion of Discrimination (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, etc.)
  • Disrespectful to the artist or the artwork (droit morale)

Account Information


Registration

You may search the Art Institute of Chicago Images site without registering. After registering you will have full access to advanced site features. To purchase, registration is required.

We use your email address as a username. During registration you will be prompted to create a password and agree to our Terms and Conditions.

We do not sell, share or divulge any of your personal information that is stored as part of being a registered user. To find out more, read our privacy policy.

For access to advanced site features and to purchase, register now.

Payment

Full payment is due at the time of purchase. For immediate download, you must use a credit card. All other forms of payment will be verified prior to making the image(s) available for download. All payments MUST be in U.S. dollars. Please include your order confirmation number with check/money order and wire transfer payments.

  • Credit Card: We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
  • Check/Money Order: Checks must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to "The Art Institute of Chicago".
  • Wire Transfer: Instructions for wire transfers will be given at the time of purchase. Wire transfers will incur an additional $35.00 U.S. fee.

Order History

A list of your past orders will be saved under your account for easy retrieval. Images from past orders will be available for download up to 180 days from the purchase date. You will not be charged for downloading an image you have already purchased if you are using it for the same purpose. View Past Orders.


Searching for Images


Keyword Search

By entering keyword(s), you may use one or more keywords to define a search using the words: and, or, not as separators.

To narrow a search - Use: and, not.
mountain and river - will provide items that contain both mountains and rivers.
mountain not river - will provide items that contain only mountains without rivers.

To expand a search - Use: or
mountain or river - will provide items that contain either mountains or rivers or both.

Using Filters in a Keyword Search:

Within Results - When checked, this will and the new keyword with the previous keyword search.

Filter by Tint - This will show items that are Color or Black and White (BW).

Filter by Orientation - This will show items that are Horizontal, Vertical, or Square.

Item # Search

You may enter one or more item #s to do a search. To search for multiple item #s, separate them with commas. Include leading zero(s) to make 8-digit numbers. Example: 00076338-01, not 76338-01.

Lightboxes

You can create personal lightboxes to store and email images. You add images to a lightbox as you view a search result or a preview by clicking on the Add to Lightbox icon (Add to Lightbox) below the image.

Your lightboxes are kept for an indefinite period of time unless you delete them. You may have as many lightboxes as you wish, and each lightbox can have an unlimited number of images.

When you email a lightbox, the recipient doesn't have to be registered to view your lightbox.


About Our Images

All images displaying the Add to Cart icon (Add to Cart) are available for immediate download after purchase. Images displaying the Call for Pricing icon (Request Pricing) may have available photography that will be uploaded to the site for download within seven (7) days of purchase. Some works may require new photography. In these cases, new photography of the work can be arranged, pending approval, and may incur an additional fee. Please allow additional time for this service. We will inform you when a work will require new photography.

Most images can be downloaded through this site. If an alternate delivery method is requested, additional costs may be incurred.

Low resolution, watermarked images are available to registered users for 'comp' or reference purposes within your organization only. You may download a comp on a preview by clicking on the Download Comp icon (Download Comp) below the image. The comp image will be saved to your desktop with the AIC's image identification number. Please read our Terms and Conditions for more details on 'comp' use.

Image Technical Specifications

Art Institute of Chicago Images photography is produced using professional level DSLRs, Pro Digital Backs or high-end scanners, and is created in a color-managed environment centered on the Adobe RGB (1998) color space. All images are color-corrected, 24-bit RGB (8 bits per channel) and have resolutions of 300 dpi (with the exception of the low resolution images available at 72 dpi).

The standard specifications listed below are available through this site. Actual file size may vary depending on the dimensions of the original work. If your project requires a custom specification, please contact us to discuss your options. Some works may require new photography in order to meet your requirements. We will advise you on any additional cost and time required to deliver a custom specification.

  • Comp (147K, 3.5x2.75 in, 72 ppi, 250x200 px, RGB or Grayscale)
  • Low Resolution (2.5 MB, 3.5x2.75 in, 300 ppi, 1056x830 px, RGB or Grayscale)
  • High Resolution (20 MB, 11x8.5 in, 300 ppi, 3300x2300 px, RGB)

License Information


License Agreement

Read the Art Institute of Chicago Images user license agreement.

Rights-Managed (RM) Images

All images are licensed on a non-exclusive, rights-managed (RM) basis, which means the license will be limited to a specific project, size, distribution, medium, and timeframe; price will vary with these factors. To reuse the photo later on or for additional uses, you will need to re-license it.

The fees and usage rights for rights-managed images are based on the specific project's criteria:

  • INTENDED USE: brochure, print advertisement, billboard, etc.
  • USE SIZE: 1/4 page, full page, double page, etc.
  • PLACEMENT OF IMAGE: inside, cover, etc.
  • PRESS RUN OR CIRCULATION: 5,000 brochures, an ad in a 250,000 press run magazine, etc.
  • DURATION OF THE USE: one-time, six months, one year, etc.
  • GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Local, Regional, National or International.