Presenting Irish travel agents with a good opportunity for special interest tours, the Chicago Architecture Biennial has announced that the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation are partnering to present the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial, from 1st October 2015 until 3rd January 2016. 
The biennial will be the largest international survey of contemporary architecture in North America and has been funded through private donations with a lead gift of USD$2.5 million already committed by BP as the presenting sponsor.
The event will include robust public programming with exhibitions featuring the world’s leading architectural talent. Known for its own striking architecture, Chicago’s historic Cultural Centre will serve as the event hub.
“Architecture defines a city, and no city has been defined by its architecture or influenced global architectural design like Chicago,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “The Chicago Architectural Biennial will showcase the city’s widely respected architectural heritage, promote architecture as one our thriving creative sectors, and deliver a rich cultural experience to our neighbourhoods.
“In 1893, the World’s Columbian Exposition placed Chicago squarely on the global stage as a centre of innovation. In 2015, the Chicago Architecture Biennial will continue our legacy as the world’s gathering place for exploring new ideas.”
Installations will be created in Millennium Park and other Chicago neighbourhoods to encourage visitors and locals to explore the city as a canvas of architecture for the past, present and future. The department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) will be the lead agency representing the city.
Thousands of architecture professionals, students and cultural enthusiasts are expected to attend and experience the large-scale exhibitions at the Cultural Centre and spaces around the city. The installations will feature the work of established and emerging architects and address the social, environmental, aesthetic, technological, and economic issues that shape the world.
