Since the early 1970s, two Ukrainian Village attractions have remained constant through countless stages of neighborhood gentrification: an array of historic churches and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. While even the newest resident will rave about the beautiful golden domed treasures, the storefront museum too often flies under the radar.

Most exhibits in UIMA's 2,100-square-foot main gallery focus on a single celebrated painter or sculptor of Ukrainian descent, but one 2006 exception, Artists Respond: Ukrainian Art and The Orange Revolution, harnessed the power of young artists working in the moment of Ukraine’s contentious 2004 election. Chicago was one of the first cities to see this show thanks to a strong partnership with the Center for Contemporary Art in Kiev.

Three smaller spaces house a permanent collection of late 20th-century art, mostly figurative work from the Soviet era and more contemporary pieces reflecting an international sensibility. A walk through the collection takes a half-hour or less, but the space also serves as a center for Ukrainian culture. It's best to visit when it's screening a film or hosting the MAVerick Ensemble, a resident company dedicated to performing modern experimental music from all over the world.

Centerstage Reviewer: Justin Sondak