By CGN Staff

This season, we’re highlighting some of our favorite places to find artful, meaningful gifts — all while supporting Chicago’s independent galleries and cultural institutions. Part 1 here focuses on museum stores and markets offering unique objects, books, prints, memberships and curiosities. Part 2 (coming soon!) will spotlight galleries across the region.

These sources offer gifts and works of art for even the toughest gift recipients on your list and buying art or shopping at local institutions also supports artists and other members of the cultural community.

Intuit Art Museum

Intuit reopened this spring, welcoming visitors back into refreshed galleries dedicated to the world of self-taught art. Their store is filled with original artwork, handmade jewelry, books, zines, and exclusive merchandise. You can also give a gift membership to the museum, which offers year-round access and supports exhibitions and programs.

Visit in person Wednesday through Sunday, 11 am–6 pm. Also check for holiday hours

Shop here

Little Christmas, mezzotint by Kouki Tsuritani

Chicago Printmakers Collaborative

CPC’s beloved Holiday Sale and Small Print Show is a must for print lovers. Browse original, hand-pulled prints in a wide range of styles and prices. It’s an accessible way to collect or give handmade artwork directly from Chicago printmakers.

This is the 36th year of this incredible small print show and CPC is excited to show new prints created by CPC members, gallery artists, and faculty. Small prints make the perfect gift for the holidays or for yourself. Artist-made cards, books, jewelry and other stocking-stuffer goodies will also be available. Sip delicious spiced cider and graze the famous CPC holiday snack table while you peruse the gorgeous array of affordable, small handmade prints from around the globe. A great event the whole family can enjoy.

Preview the Show: Friday, December 5th, 12-5pm

Opening Reception & Holiday Party: Saturday & Sunday, December 6th & 7th, 11am-7pm

Details here

Randolph Street Holiday Market

Fun any time of year Randolph Street's Holiday Market is a treasure-hunt in overdrive. Part shopping mecca, all party, here you can shop the most coveted goods from the past, present and future, explore 125 mini-boutiques featuring posh vintage, modern, handcrafted treasures for gifting, wearing, entertaining and decorating. Bring the whole family and ring in the season with creative cocktails, fancy foods, informal modeling, DJ, Little Elves Workshop, and the most unusual and stylishly curated mix of shopping for men, women and children. 

FREE onsite parking, gift wrapping and personal shopping assistance too.

December 13 and 14.

Details here

Museum of Contemporary Art Store

The MCA Store delivers design-driven gifts that reflect the museum’s contemporary spirit. From home objects and accessories to books and inventive art-related items, it’s a reliable destination for fresh, smart holiday gifting. You can find artful menorahs, beautiful coffee-table books, MCA-themed gloves and hats, artistic jewelry and much more. It's hard to get out of here without buying something for yourself, let alone the art lovers in your life. Online you can even shop by color.

If the new Jellycat store line is too long for you at Nordstrom, guess what, no line at the MCA! Plus museum members always get 10% off.

Shop here

The Driehaus Museum

The Driehaus Museum’s charming shop features unusual, beautifully made gifts inspired by the museum’s Gilded Age setting. Expect elegant objects and refined keepsakes with historical character. There is Vintage Jewelry, beaded velvet purses, Chicago-themed books, Gilded-age inspired hand-blown vases, and Christmas collectibles and unique ornaments. You can also visit Santa or stop into the museum halls decked like no other!

AND there is a special Drie-Cember Market on Saturday, December 6. Details here.

Shop the museum store here

Alter Egos Plague Doctor Druid Plush – $20.00

International Museum of Surgical Science

For the curious and the quirky: the IMSS shop offers medical-history-inflected gifts, anatomical oddities and unexpected treasures perfect for the science-minded or anyone who enjoys an offbeat holiday pick. You will find Edward Gorey Christmas decor as well as plague-focused stuffed animals. There are pins, mugs, puzzles and finds that are exclusive to the museum as well as other items by local artists.

Shop here

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Stay tuned for Part 2, featuring galleries offering special holiday exhibitions and offerings, from Chicago to Wisconsin and Michigan.