From 19 May to 6 June, the MCA Chicago teams with Sotheby’s for its quinquennial auction, presenting 100+ works by Yoko Ono, Sarah Sze, Rashid Johnson, and more—culminating in a live sale and dinner on 6 June at 6:30 p.m.
Held only once every five years, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s benefit auction is a critical engine for funding the institution’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and education programs.
Partnering with Sotheby’s brings the museum’s reach to an international collector base while keeping all proceeds within the MCA’s mission‑driven ecosystem.
Online Bidding: 19 May 2025 – 6 June 2025 (closes 10 p.m. CDT)
Public Preview: 30 May – 6 June 2025, second‑floor galleries at the MCA
Live Auction & Dinner: 6 June 2025, doors 6 p.m., live sale 6:30 p.m. CDT; led by Phyllis Kao, Vice President, Sotheby’s New York
More than 100 lots have been donated directly by artists or their representing galleries, including:
Yoko Ono – instructional work on paper, 2024
Sarah Sze – wall assemblage with video element, 2023
Rashid Johnson – Bruise Painting, 2024
Nicole Eisenman – oil on paper, 2022
Paul Pfeiffer – chromogenic print, 2024
Emerging highlight: Carmen Neely, just beneath the surface under each word (2025)
The evening honors Ed Ruscha, marking 25 years since his 2000 MCA survey. Expect a special video introduction and a dedicated catalog essay reflecting on the artist’s Chicago legacy.
Register on Sothebys.com using MCA Chicago sale code.
Preview in person or via high‑resolution digital catalog.
Place absentee, telephone, or live floor bids; online bids remain open until the gavel falls on 6 June.
Winning bidders receive invoices from the MCA; all post‑sale logistics—payment, tax receipts, shipping—are handled by the museum, not Sotheby’s.
Full hammer price is tax‑deductible for works created and donated by the artist.
For secondary‑market donations, the deductible portion equals the amount paid above the item’s fair‑market appraisal.
Corporate sponsors may claim matching‑gift credits; consult your advisor.
Preview Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily; free with timed ticket.
Nearby Hotels: The Gwen, Park Hyatt Chicago, and The Hoxton are all within a 10‑minute walk.
Dress Code for 6 June: Creative Black‑Tie—think statement sneakers with tuxedo.
With its once‑in‑a‑lustrum cadence, blue‑chip roster, and philanthropic punch, the MCA Chicago Art Auction 2025 is more than a sale—it’s a snapshot of contemporary art’s evolving discourse viewed through Chicago’s experimental lens.
Register early, study the catalog, and join the global art community in supporting a museum where boundary‑pushing ideas find a permanent home.
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