61 upcoming art events
Watercolor Painting Workshop at LoPresti Park
Thu, 7 May 2026 at 6:00 AM
LoPresti Park33 Sumner Street, Boston
Join a free watercolor painting workshop in LoPresti Park. Learn basic watercolor techniques in a casual, park-side session with artist-guided instruction, perfect for beginners and families exploring art outdoors in Boston.
Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone Exhibition Catalogue
Wed, 6 May 2026 at 2:30 PM
Peabody Essex Museum
Join a free evening at the Peabody Essex Museum in Boston for Edmonia Lewis: Said in Stone—an exhibition catalogue launch and gallery overview. The program highlights Lewis's stone sculpture and the new publication accompanying the show, with curator insights and gallery highlights.
Creative Foundations: Cyanotypes
Sat, 9 May 2026 at 6:30 AM
Peabody Essex Museum
Explore the cyanotype print process at the Peabody Essex Museum. This hands-on session introduces the historical sun-print technique and guides you in creating your own blue-toned photographs in a gallery setting.
The Artist’s Voice: Derrick Adams with Salamishah Tillet
Thu, 7 May 2026 at 3:00 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
An artist-talk at ICA Boston featuring Derrick Adams in conversation with Salamishah Tillet. The session explores Adams’s multidisciplinary practice, themes of race and identity, and his place in contemporary art, offering lively insights into his work and its cultural context for a thoughtful audience.
Member Tour: Derrick Adams:View Master
Fri, 8 May 2026 at 2:30 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Take a members-only tour at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston highlighting Derrick Adams's View Master. This guided visit offers insight into Adams's multimedia practice and the exhibition's themes as you explore the works with ICA staff.
Member Exhibitions Insight Tour
Sat, 9 May 2026 at 5:00 AM
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
An exclusive members-only tour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, exploring the Winter/Spring 2026 exhibitions: Photography and the Re-Imagined Self, Picturing Isabella, and Jamie Diamond: Monstra Te Esse Matrem. Enjoy insider insights and a curated peek behind the scenes of these photography-focused shows.
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Sun, 10 May 2026 at 4:00 PM
Boch Center
Experience an immersive exhibition of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel masterpieces at the Boch Center. High-resolution reproductions, close-up fresco detail, and expert commentary illuminate Renaissance art for Boston audiences in a dramatic gallery setting.
Star Maps
Sat, 9 May 2026 at 9:00 AM
Peabody Essex Museum
Star Maps is a free museum exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Boston, spotlighting celestial cartography—from antique star charts to modern astronomical maps. Learn how navigators and scientists used maps to chart the heavens and illuminate our place in the night sky.
New on View: Bodhidharma
Wed, 13 May 2026 at 12:30 PM
Harvard Art Museums
Harvard Art Museums debuts Bodhidharma in a new-on-view exhibition, offering fresh curatorial perspectives on this iconic figure in East Asian Buddhist art. The display pairs early paintings and scrolls with interpretive materials, inviting visitors to explore cross-cultural facets of Bodhidharma.
Virtual Creative Foundations: Cyanotypes
Thu, 21 May 2026 at 3:00 PM
Peabody Essex Museum
Explore the cyanotype printing process in this online workshop hosted by the Peabody Essex Museum. In Virtual Creative Foundations: Cyanotypes, participants learn the history, create blue-toned prints, and practice at home with guided demonstrations.
Opening Reception: Lucy Raven - Rounds
Mon, 18 May 2026
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Kick off Lucy Raven: Rounds at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston with the opening reception. Experience Raven’s immersive contemporary video installations in a gallery setting as the ICA celebrates the new exhibition with an artist presence.
Decompress with The Breakfast Table
Wed, 20 May 2026 at 12:30 PM
Harvard Art Museums
Take a mindful break at Harvard Art Museums with Decompress with The Breakfast Table. This relaxed workshop guides adults through art-inspired wellbeing techniques in a calm gallery setting, pairing gentle reflection with light activities. A unique way to decompress and connect with the museum's atmosphere.
Investigating the Head with Rick Fox
Fri, 15 May 2026
Gallery NAGA
Explore portraiture and contemporary themes in a new exhibition at Gallery NAGA in Boston. Investigating the Head with Rick Fox invites viewers to examine perception through provocative works by Rick Fox, showcased in the intimate gallery setting.
Watercolor Painting Workshop #6: Jamaica Pond
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 at 6:00 AM
Jamaica Pond Boathouse507 Jamaicaway, Boston
Join a free watercolor painting workshop at Jamaica Pond Boathouse in Boston for a fun, beginner-friendly session outdoors by the pond. This is the sixth session in a scenic series, offering hands-on guidance to develop watercolor skills.
Gallery Talk: Erika Umali — To My Best Friend
Sun, 24 May 2026 at 10:00 AM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Join Erika Umali for a gallery talk at ICA Boston, examining her work To My Best Friend. The session provides insights into contemporary practice and the exhibition, with the artist discussing themes and methods in a museum setting.
Art + Science: Mending Paper
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 at 12:00 PM
Harvard Art Museums
A hands-on workshop at Harvard Art Museums exploring the science of paper conservation. Participants learn restoration techniques for fragile documents, observe preservation methods, and discuss interdisciplinary approaches shaping museum practice.
2026 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: Hyde Park
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 at 6:00 AM
Iacono Playground150 Readville Street, Boston
Enjoy free, hands-on arts and crafts for kids this summer in Boston parks. Each session is hosted by a local artist, with a focus on creativity in outdoor spaces like Hyde Park's Iacono Playground. Perfect for families looking for a fun, educational activity outdoors.
2026 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: West Roxbury
Mon, 29 Jun 2026 at 6:00 AM
Hynes Playground502 VFW Parkway, Boston
Free outdoor arts and crafts workshops for children in Boston parks this summer, hosted by a local artist. The West Roxbury stop at Hynes Playground offers hands-on creative activities for kids and families, encouraging playful learning in a sunny civic setting.
Children's Arts & Crafts Workshops
Thu, 2 Jul 2026 at 6:00 AM
Joyce Playground80 Union Street, BOSTON
Free, hands-on arts and crafts workshops for kids and families across Boston parks this summer, led by a local artist. Enjoy creative activities at Joyce Playground and other parks citywide—no registration required.
Project Creatine
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 at 4:00 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Project Creatine at ICA Boston presents a contemporary art exhibition in a cutting-edge space, inviting visitors to experience energy-driven installations and media. The show opens June 12, 2026 at 8 PM in Boston, showcasing innovative practices in contemporary art.
Gallery Talk: Ruth Erickson on Lucy Raven – Rounds
Sun, 7 Jun 2026 at 10:00 AM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Ruth Erickson leads a gallery talk on Lucy Raven's work 'Rounds' at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, examining Raven's interdisciplinary approach within a contemporary art context.
Opening Reception: John Dunnigan
Sat, 6 Jun 2026
Gallery NAGA
Join Gallery NAGA in Boston for the opening reception of John Dunnigan's latest works. The contemporary exhibition offers a chance to meet the artist, view new pieces, and enjoy light refreshments in an intimate gallery setting on June 7, 2026.
Children's Arts & Crafts Workshop
Thu, 16 Jul 2026 at 6:00 AM
Walker Playground 550 Norfolk Street
Join a free children's arts and crafts workshop led by a local artist at Walker Playground in Boston. This summer program offers hands-on arts activities across city parks, starting July 16, 2026 at 10:00, ideal for families seeking a playful, creative outdoor activity.
THICKET Curated by Kirstin Lamb
Sat, 6 Jun 2026
Gallery NAGA
THICKET, curated by Kirstin Lamb, presents John Dunnigan's latest works at Gallery NAGA in Boston. This opening reception offers a curated look at contemporary pieces in a sleek space, with the artist on hand to discuss the works.
Harvard Art Museums at Night
Thu, 25 Jun 2026 at 5:00 PM
Harvard Art Museums
Experience Harvard Art Museums after dark with extended gallery hours and special exhibitions in the historic Cambridge building. This atmospheric evening invites art lovers to explore the collections, enjoy a quieter museum ambiance, and discover unique programs under one roof.
2026 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: Jamaica Plain
Fri, 10 Jul 2026 at 6:00 AM
Mozart Street Playground 50 Mozart Street
Join free, kid-friendly arts and crafts workshops in Boston's parks this summer. Hosted by a local artist, sessions start at Mozart Street Playground (50 Mozart Street) and move to other city parks, offering hands-on crafts and creative play in an inviting outdoor setting.
Dreaming Flora: Artists and Flowers
Wed, 10 Jun 2026
Gallery NAGA
Dreaming Flora brings floral-inspired works by Kirstin Lamb and Mary Kocol to Gallery NAGA in Boston. The exhibition pairs botanical motifs with vibrant color across paintings and sculpture, inviting visitors to reflect on nature through two distinct artistic voices. A lush, contemporary look at flora.
Teen Night: Summer 2026
Tue, 11 Aug 2026
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Teen Night at ICA Boston offers after-hours access to cutting-edge contemporary art with teen-friendly activities, gallery explorations, and hands-on projects. Enjoy an evening designed for teens, with music, special programs, and a chance to connect with other young art lovers in the heart of Boston.
Artful Evenings
Fri, 26 Jun 2026 at 3:00 PM
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Join Artful Evenings at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston for Spilling the Tea MFA Edition. This in-person talk offers behind-the-scenes stories about Boston artists featured in the collection, pairing lively conversations with the gallery setting.
Gallery Talk: Jeffrey De Blois on Say It Loud, 1977 to Now
Sun, 28 Jun 2026 at 10:00 AM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
The ICA Boston hosts a gallery talk with artist Jeffrey De Blois exploring Say It Loud: AAMARP, 1977 to Now. The conversation delves into the artist's practice and the AAMARP project within a contemporary art context at a prominent institution.
Mary Kocol at the Danforth Art Museum
Sat, 27 Jun 2026
Gallery NAGA
Experience contemporary paintings by Mary Kocol at Gallery NAGA in Boston during the opening reception. The show, tied to Danforth Art Museum programming, features bold color, textured surfaces, and a thoughtful dialogue between works. Meet the artist and fellow art lovers during the preview.
Gallery Talk: American Works of Art at the 250th
Wed, 1 Jul 2026 at 12:30 PM
Harvard Art Museums
Join a curator-led Gallery Talk at Harvard Art Museums exploring American artworks highlighted for the 250th anniversary. Discover pivotal artists, works, and themes shaping American art, in an engaging, museum-gallery setting.
First Fridays: Island Stylin’
Thu, 9 Jul 2026
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Join ICA Boston for First Fridays: Island Stylin’, a lively after-hours program spotlighting contemporary art with island-inspired vibes. Explore current exhibitions, enjoy live performances, and mingle with fellow art lovers in a dynamic, casual museum setting.
Children's Arts & Crafts Workshop – South Boston
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 at 6:00 AM
Medal of Honor Playground 775 E 1st Street
Join free outdoor arts and crafts workshops for kids hosted by a local artist across Boston parks, including South Boston's Medal of Honor Playground. Kids and families can explore creativity with hands-on activities, easy crafts, and a playful summer outing in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
2026 Children's Arts and Crafts Workshops: Dorchester
Fri, 7 Aug 2026 at 6:00 AM
Doherty-Gibson Playground1545 Dorchester Ave, Boston
Outdoor children's arts and crafts workshops in Boston parks led by a local artist. This Dorchester session is free and family-friendly, inviting kids to explore hands-on art activities in a sunny community setting. A playful summer activity for families.
Gallery Performance:Celtic Art Across the Ages
Fri, 17 Jul 2026 at 12:30 PM
Harvard Art Museums
An evening gallery performance at Harvard Art Museums exploring Celtic art across the ages. Live performance intertwined with gallery displays traces Celtic design from ancient symbols to modern interpretations, set in a grand Boston museum space.
Esther Solondz at the Bristol Art Museum
Sun, 12 Jul 2026
Gallery NAGA
Experience Esther Solondz's latest works in a museum-style exhibition at Gallery NAGA in Boston. The show gathers Solondz's contemporary pieces for a thoughtful, immersive encounter in an indoor gallery setting.
Watercolor by the Water
Thu, 30 Jul 2026
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Explore luminous watercolors at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. The exhibit showcases contemporary works that revel in water, color, and light within a striking museum space, inviting immersive viewing and occasional artist talks.
Art + Science: Cotton Duck Canvas
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 at 12:00 PM
Harvard Art Museums
A joint Art + Science program at Harvard Art Museums exploring Cotton Duck Canvas through a dialogue between artists and scientists. This exhibition-style event links museum collections with scientific perspectives to reveal material choices, painting techniques, and how we perceive canvas.
First Fridays: White Hot Vol. 11
Thu, 6 Aug 2026
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Experience ICA Boston's First Fridays: White Hot Vol. 11—an after-hours celebration of contemporary art with DJ-spun tunes, live performances, and interactive installations. Explore current exhibitions, mingle with artists, and enjoy a vibrant, adult-friendly museum night in Boston.
Gray Area: Compassion and Companionship
Wed, 12 Aug 2026 at 12:30 PM
Harvard Art Museums
Gray Area: Compassion and Companionship at Harvard Art Museums invites visitors to step into intimate, thought-provoking works exploring empathy and human bonds. Spanning contemporary pieces across galleries, the show blends sculpture, painting, and installation to provoke reflection on connection in everyday life.
Discovering King Tut's Tomb
Mon, 7 Sept 2026 at 4:00 PM
Boch Center
An immersive exhibition at the Boch Center exploring King Tutankhamun's tomb. Through artifacts, replicas, and expert narration, it revisits the tomb's discovery, its treasures, and the rituals of ancient Egypt, set in a dynamic Boston venue.
Esther Solondz at Gallery NAGA
Thu, 13 Aug 2026
Gallery NAGA
Esther Solondz debuts new works in a contemporary art exhibition at Gallery NAGA in Boston. The intimate show highlights Solondz’s bold use of color and form within a white-walled gallery space, inviting visitors to engage with memory and perception.
Opening Reception: Woven & The Woods
Sat, 5 Sept 2026
Gallery NAGA
Join the opening reception for two artists, Sophia Ainslie and Kirstin Lamb, featuring 'Woven' and 'The Woods' at Gallery NAGA in Boston. A contemporary-art exhibition blending textile textures and natural motifs; meet the artists and enjoy an intimate gallery evening.
Fort Point Open Studios
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 at 7:00 AM
Fort Point Arts Community
Visit Boston's Fort Point Arts District during the Annual Fort Point Open Studios weekend. Artists across multiple studios open their doors to the public, offering a chance to view works in progress, meet makers, and experience contemporary art in intimate, studio-like settings.
Opening Reception: Emily Leonard Trenholm - Current
Fri, 4 Sept 2026
Gallery NAGA
Opening reception for Emily Leonard Trenholm's 'Current' at Gallery NAGA in Boston. This contemporary photography exhibition introduces the artist's latest series with an indoor gallery setting and a festive first-night atmosphere.
Gerry Bergstein “Illuminated worlds”
Sat, 5 Sept 2026
Gallery NAGA
Experience Gerry Bergstein's Illuminated Worlds, a new solo exhibition at Gallery NAGA in Boston. The show showcases luminous, sculptural works that explore light, form, and perception in a contemporary gallery setting.
ICA Gala 2026
Fri, 13 Nov 2026 at 2:00 PM
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston
Experience the ICA Gala 2026 at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston. This formal fundraising evening celebrates contemporary art with cocktails, performances, and immersive programming inside the iconic waterfront venue. Proceeds support ICA's exhibitions, education, and artist residencies.
Student Leadership Art Exhibition
Thu, 6 Aug 2026 at 5:00 AM
West Tower Lobby
An on-campus art exhibition featuring work by MassArt student leaders, with submissions invited from students in leadership roles. The show runs Sept 3–17 across Tower 1 and West End Gallery, with artwork drop-off Aug 28–29 in South 103.
Opening Reception: Dinorá|Justice “Entwined”
Thu, 5 Nov 2026
Gallery NAGA
Opening reception for Dinorá|Justice’s Entwined at Gallery NAGA in Boston on November 6, 2026. Preview immersive contemporary works, meet the artist, and enjoy a stylish gallery evening in a curated, intimate setting.
Artist Talk: Dinorá Justice
Sun, 18 Oct 2026
Gallery NAGA
Dinorá Justice gives an artist talk at Gallery NAGA in Boston, exploring her practice and the ideas behind her work. The talk offers insight into contemporary art processes and invites audience questions in a gallery setting.
Bomb Cyclone Opening Reception
Fri, 6 Nov 2026
Gallery NAGA
Opening reception for Emily Leonard Trenholm's Bomb Cyclone at Gallery NAGA in Boston. Explore new contemporary works, meet the artist, and enjoy a stylish kickoff in the intimate gallery setting.
Bryan McFarlane: Artist Talk
Sun, 25 Oct 2026
Gallery NAGA
Artist Bryan McFarlane speaks at Gallery NAGA in Boston, offering an insightful look into his practice and recent works. The evening blends studio practice with a gallery talk in a contemporary setting.
Opening Reception: Alice Denison “Rx”
Sat, 10 Oct 2026
Gallery NAGA
Experience the opening reception for artist Alice Denison’s new body of work 'Rx' at Gallery NAGA in Boston. This contemporary exhibition offers an intimate gallery setting, with insights from the artist and a chance to view premiered pieces.
Join us at art miami!
Fri, 4 Dec 2026
Gallery NAGA
Gallery NAGA in Boston presents a contemporary art exhibition echoing the Miami art scene. Local artists showcase new works in a welcoming indoor space, with an opening atmosphere and light refreshments.
Great Presenters: Richard Raiselis
Fri, 6 Nov 2026
Gallery NAGA
Join Gallery NAGA in Boston for a gallery talk with artist Richard Raiselis, part of the Great Presenters series. Raiselis discusses his recent work, studio practice, and artistic influences, blending visuals with insights in an intimate, gallery setting.
Peter Brooke Opening Reception - Nov. 2024
Sat, 14 Nov 2026
Gallery NAGA
Join Gallery NAGA in Boston for the opening reception of Peter Brooke's latest works. This contemporary art exhibition offers a first look at the new collection in a sleek gallery setting, with a chance to meet the artist and discuss the works.
Opening Reception: RICHARD RAISELIS “DEERBUFFET”
Sat, 9 Jan 2027
Gallery NAGA
Opening reception for Richard Raiselis’s Deerbuffet at Gallery NAGA in Boston. A contemporary art exhibition offering a first look at new works, with artist presence and light refreshments in a sleek indoor gallery space.
Peter Brooke: Artist Talk
Sun, 22 Nov 2026
Gallery NAGA
Peter Brooke headlines an artist talk at Gallery NAGA in Boston, exploring recent works and studio practice. The intimate, conversational evening offers insights into the artist's process, with opportunities for audience Q&A amid a contemporary gallery setting.
Museums Closed
Fri, 19 Jun 2026 at 10:00 AM
Harvard Art Museums
Harvard Art Museums will be closed on June 19, 2026, with all galleries inaccessible for that day. This calendar entry serves as a visitor notice—plan to visit on another day and check for updates. The closure affects standard hours and programs at the Harvard Art Museums in Boston.
Opening Reception: RICHARD RAISELIS “LANDSCAPES NEAR ME”
Thu, 11 Feb 2027
Gallery NAGA
Opening reception for Richard Raiselis' Landscapes Near Me at Gallery NAGA in Boston. This contemporary exhibition surveys luminous landscapes through textured brushwork and urban light, with a first look at new works. An intimate, gallery-forward evening of art and conversation.