The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned art museum housing one of the largest permanent collections in the United States. With more than 260,000 art works and artifacts, the museum has particularly strong holdings in Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting, early 20th-century European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, Japanese prints, and photography. The Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2009, features the latest in green museum technology and 264,000 square feet dedicated to modern and contemporary art, photography, architecture and design, and new museum education facilities. The museum also offers exceptional programming that informs and inspires, including lectures, workshops, performances, and guided tours.