Smart Museum of Art, located inside University of Chicago, holds more than 10,000 artistic pieces in a free admission museum. Established in 1974, the museum is named after David and Alfred Smart who were publishers of Esquire and other magazines at that time. Its goal was basically to make arts available to the community both in the university and around it.

The museum building was designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, a famous architect at that time. Inspired with modern designs as early as that decade, the building is a balance of contemplative, academic and public areas focused on showcasing visual arts. In 1999, this building was renovated and by then a large reception hall with smaller galleries around have been created.

The collections in the Smart Museum of Art are mainly influenced by Asian, European, modern, and contemporary art. Asian collection include the Fire Enso, Foliate Wine Cup with Stand, Cliff with Orchid and Bamboo, and a Tomb Guardian Figure among many others. The European Art collection features Birth Bowl, A Game of Skittles, The Thinker, and Sudarium among other masterpieces. The Modern Art and Design collection has pieces dating between 1880 and 1950s. It is comprised of various artworks like sculptures, paper works, and decorative arts. Examples are Amalie, Four-Piece Composition, and Dining Table and Six Side Chairs.

Smart Museum of Art provides a venue for the public to experience more the educational benefits it offers. Aside from the fact that the museum is for free, there's also a study room that allows the public to set an appointment with the museum staff so that someone can handle the artworks. Ten to fifteen objects can actually be taken out so that it can be viewed but it would also depend on the size. For weddings, the museum can also be rented out. In fact, it's part of Knot's list as one of the 10 Best Museums for a Wedding.