Housing & Residence Life
Tap into the Energy
Living with other artists and designers, exchanging ideas, supporting one another, and growing together—no other experience compares. Whether you live on campus in the heart of Chicago's Loop or share housing off-campus in one of the city's neighborhoods, you'll feel the energy that a creative community generates.
Living on campus makes it easy to immerse yourself in the SAIC experience and feel part of the community. Residence Life staff plan activities that help you build relationships, connect with the city, and get to know what SAIC has to offer. And SAIC ensures a secure living environment through controlled access and 24-hour security staff.
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each one different from the next. So, if you're more comfortable living off campus than in a residence hall, chances are you can find a place that feels right for you. SAIC partners with Places4Students to help connect you to apartment listings throughout the city.
SAIC offers summer housing. Students have the option of having single and double occupancy rooms for the time that you need it during the summer. Summer housing is located at the 162 North State Street Residences. Located in the heart of the city, this building is directly across from the Chicago Theatre.
On-Campus Housing
There is a tremendous amount of energy in a community of 900+ artists living together. Many of our students spend their first year thriving in one of our three residence halls—Jones Hall, the 162 North State Street Residences, or The Buckingham.
Staff in each of the facilities include student Resident Advisors and full-time, live-in professional staff. Our staff are available to help students become more familiar with the school and the city, assist with personal and academic issues, and to build a strong artist community.
Living On Campus
Close to Campus and Culture
Every residence hall is just minutes away from all academic buildings and close to almost all of the major cultural attractions of the city. Residents can find quick and easy transportation to virtually any spot in the city, as our residence halls are steps away from a stop for most CTA train lines. With the recent expansion in condominiums in downtown Chicago, the comforts of neighborhood living can be found downtown from the grocery stores to the coffee shops.
Community of Artists
More than 80 percent of our first-year students live in the residence hall. New students often find that the residence hall environment is the best way to get to know each other and explore the opportunities at SAIC as living in the residence hall gives them a chance to interact with other students in an informal setting. Residence Life staff also plans many activities and programs to foster a sense of community and to help students get to know each other, the city, and SAIC. Some of these programs include faculty/student dinners, informal critiques, gallery tours, shows in our residence hall gallery space, trips to jazz shows, and much more.
Apartment-Style Rooms
Our rooms are designed to feel like downtown loft apartments with high ceilings, track lighting, and large "Chicago Style" windows that offer expansive views of downtown Chicago. All rooms are equipped to meet your technology needs with wireless internet, a cable connection, and a high-speed internet port. Each room has a kitchenette with a full size refrigerator, a two-burner stovetop, microwave, a private bathroom, ample storage space, and a private closet for each student.
Live and Work
Jones Hall and the 162 North State Street Residence Hall at SAIC were designed with the artist lifestyle in mind, whether your needs are shooting and editing digital video, painting in the studio, or working on a garment. Residence hall common areas in these two buildings include spaces such as a spray room, painting studios, media room, computer lounge, a clean (no wet media) studio, a solarium, as well as common spaces to study for exams, have informal critiques, or just hang out with friends. Any student who lives on campus has access to these resources in our residence halls.
24-Hour Security
Anytime you move somewhere new, it is important to feel like your living space is secure. SAIC has controlled access into the buildings, and 24-hour security staff in each facility. Additionally, all security staff complete periodic rounds of the building to promote the safety of the buildings.
Dining at SAIC
SAIC's three on-campus dining spots offer grab-n-go items and hot entrees, all provided by the School's locally based vendor. HandCut emphasizes organic ingredients and a sustainable approach to food service. You'll have plenty of choices with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
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162 North State Street Residences, 162 N. State St.
Main: 312.846.2121, 24-Hour Security Desk: 312.846.2100
Jones Hall, 7 W. Madison St.
Main: 312.516.5490, 24-hour Security Desk: 312.516.5300
The Buckingham, 59 E. Van Buren St.
24-hour Security Desk: 312.535.0405