About
Imagine the life Emmett Till was denied through a free MoCP exhibition drawing on photographs by more than 110 artists.
This exhibition asks you to look beyond the violence that ended Emmett Till’s life and imagine the years he was denied and what freedom would have required of the country around him. More than 110 artists from MoCP’s permanent collection turn that question into a collective creative monument, with a photograph by Till’s cousin Lance Omar Thurman among the works. Go when you can engage with that difficult counterfactual rather than rush through a conventional history display.
What to expect
Begin with the exhibition’s central question—what if Emmett Till had safely returned home to Chicago—then read the permanent-collection photographs as different visions of the years he was denied. Look for Lance Omar Thurman’s photograph of the remains of Bryant’s Grocery, which brings a Till family voice into a show spanning more than 110 artists. For more context, use MoCP’s free digital guide for historical references, audio, translations, and image descriptions. Leave time to consider the contributors’ selections as a collective argument about how freedom is secured.
Good to know
- Admission to MoCP is free.
- Selected Friday and Saturday visits run from 10 AM to 5 PM.
- The museum is closed Sundays and major holidays.
- Enter Columbia College Chicago at 600 South Michigan Avenue.
- Street-level entrances and elevators provide access to the galleries.
Also in Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
Common questions
What question does the exhibition explore?
It asks what Emmett Till’s life might have become had he safely returned home to Chicago and what that life would have required of the country.
How many artists are represented?
The exhibition brings together photographs by more than 110 artists from MoCP’s permanent collection, including Till’s cousin Lance Omar Thurman.
Is admission free?
Yes. The Museum of Contemporary Photography states that admission is free and all visitors are welcome.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. MoCP has street-level entrances, and elevators provide access to its second-floor galleries and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
How long is the exhibition on view?
The exhibition remains on view through Saturday, December 19, 2026.
Which CTA stations are nearby?
The Harrison Red Line, LaSalle Blue Line, and Harold Washington and Van Buren elevated stations are within walking distance.