Rockford Art Museum's 78th Midwestern Biennial: 100 Artists to See
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
If you haven't made it to the Rockford Art Museum yet this summer, here's your sign: the 78th Midwestern Biennial is on display through September 27, 2026, and it is one of the most impressive juried art exhibitions in the entire Midwest. With nearly 100 artists from eight states represented on the walls of RAM, this is the show Rockford has been waiting for.
The Midwestern Biennial has been a cornerstone of Rockford's cultural identity since its founding. Now in its 78th year, the exhibition continues to serve as a major survey of contemporary Midwestern art — showcasing where the region's creative voices are headed, what they're reacting to, and how they're pushing the medium forward. This year's jury was led by Laurie Hogin, a critically acclaimed painter and Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, whose own work bridges the natural world with cultural critique.
Particularly exciting for Rockford residents: nine artists from the local Rockford region are included in this year's biennial. That's nine of your neighbors, community members, and fellow 815 creatives who made the cut in a competitive juried show that draws submissions from across Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. If you've ever wondered what the local art scene looks like at its highest level, this is the answer.
The Rockford Art Museum is located at 711 North Main Street in Rockford, IL. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is free — meaning there's absolutely no reason not to go. The exhibition runs through September 27, giving you the rest of the summer and early fall to take it in.
The biennial is part of a broader moment for the Rockford arts scene. Between RAM's programming, the upcoming Greenwich Village Art Fair in September, and the continued growth of local collectives and studios, Rockford's creative community is as active and vibrant as it's ever been. Events like the Midwestern Biennial put a spotlight on that energy and connect local artists to a wider regional audience.
Whether you go alone, bring the family, or make it a date night, the Midwestern Biennial is well worth the trip. Free admission, world-class regional art, and direct access to what Midwestern creativity looks like in 2026. That's a combination you don't want to miss before September 27.
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