About Shedd

Mission and Values

At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference.

That’s our mission. This is how we fulfill it: We’re cool teachers, creating experiences in which learning is fun. We’re dedicated stewards, caring for animals, people and the living world. We’re great managers, running a model organization.

And it goes deeper, to the fundamental ways in which we act towards our guests and each other: Teach and learn something every day. Create an environment of fun. Be a connection to the collection. Be courageously creative. Be passionate.

Whatever the job — feeding the fishes, training the whales, teaching a class, answering a guest’s question, creating a menu, planting a garden, sweeping the floor — we do it with a sense of stewardship, quality, integrity and respect. Count on it.

Help us fulfill our mission.

Shedd Aquarium has accreditation and membership with industry-leading organizations.

Shedd Aquarium gratefully acknowledges the generous support received from the Chicago Park District on behalf of the residents of Chicago.

A self-made millionaire, John G. Shedd decided a world-class aquarium would be the most beneficial gift he could make to the city that had given him so much.

Help us continue his legacy.