Exhibitions
Open Depot Collection Display
Ongoing
This ingenious storage and display area houses and presents more than 1,500 objects from the outstanding 15,000-piece Spertus collection. Visitors can examine cross-cultural influences on the development of Jewish objects as well as discover the history, aesthetics, and functions of the pieces on view.
The first bay of the Open Depot features small rotating exhibitions that showcase new acquisitions and special highlights from within the collection.
Currently, our mini-exhibition presents a series of photographs and archival material expropriated by German forces during WWII. Including both German and Soviet examples, the photographs were held by the Nazi organization Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg for the Occupied Territories (E.R.R.), a government branch charged with the task of confiscating cultural property.The collection constitutes a visual record of pre-war Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union and other Eastern European territories spanning the early 20th century to the early 1940s. The images document the lives of large Jewish centers as well as smaller towns and villages, Jewish activities, synagogues, Judaica and cemeteries throughout Europe.
This Mini Depot Exhibition is on display
December 20, 2009 - April 25, 2010.
Object of the Month
Each month we explore one object from the Open Depot in greater detail. In January and February learn about Prague-born artist Fritzi Brod and his woodcut, In the Workshop, 1937.
Brod came to Chicago in 1924 and attended the School of the Art Institute and was a leader in the Chicago Jewish art scene. The featured print was part of a portfolio entitled A Gift to Biro-Bidjan: Chicago, 1937-From Dispair to New Hope and was created to raise money for Russian Jews to settle in a semi-autonomous area called Biro-Bidjan (more commonly written as Birobidzhan or Birobdzhan). This effort was initiated by the Soviet government and supported by many American Jews.
Audio Guide
An in-depth Audio Guide recounts some of the fascinating stories of people and communities whose lives are represented by objects in the Open Depot. Please visit the Patron Services desk in the lobby. Free with museum admission.
Exhibition-Related Programming
Artist talks, guided tours, performances, lectures, and panel discussions are held in conjunction with Spertus exhibitions. Visit our calendar of events for details. Or sign up to receive program information right to your inbox!
Research and Partnerships
Scholars, teachers, students, and arts professionals interested in partnering with Spertus Museum or accessing its collection for research should contact Spertus Museum Director Rhoda Rosen at rrosen@spertus.edu.
Exhibition Hours and Admission
What Does It Say to You? and the Open Depot Collection Display are open every second Thursday evening of the month and on alternate Sundays.
Thursday, March 11–5:30 to 8 pm
(Enhance your visit with an architecture tour.)
Sunday, March 14–10:30 am to 3 pm
(Hear an artist talk by Jan Tichy. )
Sunday, March 28–10:30 am to 3 pm
Thursday, April 8–5:30 to 8 pm
(Enhance your visit with an architecture tour.)
Sunday, April 11 - 10:30 am to 5 pm
(Enhance your visit by joining our commemoration of Yom HaShoah.)
Sunday, April 25 - 10:30 am to 3 pm
Sunday, May 9 - 10:30 am to 3 pm
Thursday, May 13 - 5:30 pm to 8 pm
Sunday, May 23 - 10:30 am to 3 pm (Enhance your visit with an architecture tour.)
General admission: $7
Students and seniors: $5
Spertus members and children under 5: free