Harvard Art Museums

museum

University art museum and research complex housing the Fogg Museum, Busch–Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum, with a collection of roughly 250,000 works. Known for its Renzo Piano–designed building, the Calderwood Courtyard, rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and event rentals.

32 Quincy Street, 02138
RoxburyWebsiteOpen in Maps
ArtLectureMusic~8 events/monthUSD 10–40

Upcoming Events (14)

New on View: Bodhidharma

Wed, 13 May 2026atAll day

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.

Film Marathon: Irish Folklore Trilogy

Sat, 16 May 2026at10:30 AM

Experience a curated film marathon at Harvard Art Museums featuring the Irish Folklore Trilogy. Back-to-back screenings explore myth and storytelling within a museum setting, inviting cinephiles and scholars to an immersive night of Irish cinema.

Free

Art + Science: Light on Paper & Media

Tue, 19 May 2026at12:00 PM

Explore how light transforms materials at Harvard Art Museums in this Art + Science event. The session examines the effects of illumination on paper and media, blending conservation science with art history. Led by curators and scientists, it offers fresh insights into display, perception, and the material life of artworks.

Free

Decompress with The Breakfast Table

Wed, 20 May 2026atAll day

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.

Free

Art + Science: Mending Paper

Tue, 16 Jun 2026at12:00 PM

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.

Free

Museums Closed

Fri, 19 Jun 2026atAll day

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.

Free

Harvard Art Museums at Night

Thu, 25 Jun 2026atAll day

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.

Free

Gallery Talk: American Works of Art at the 250th

Wed, 1 Jul 2026atAll day

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.

Free

Second Saturdays Story Time

Sat, 11 Jul 2026at11:00 AM

Join Harvard Art Museums for Second Saturdays Story Time, a kid-friendly program with stories and hands-on art activities in a gallery setting. Perfect for families with young children, it blends reading with museum exploration in a welcoming, casual atmosphere.

Gallery Performance:Celtic Art Across the Ages

Fri, 17 Jul 2026atAll day

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.

Art + Science: Cotton Duck Canvas

Tue, 21 Jul 2026atAll day

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.

Gray Area: Compassion and Companionship

Wed, 12 Aug 2026atAll day

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.

Art + Science: Materials and Techniques in Frame Conservation

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

Harvard Art Museums hosts a science-informed look at frame conservation. Conservators discuss materials, adhesives, and techniques used to preserve historic frames, with case studies and practical preservation guidance. A thoughtful blend of art history and conservation science in a museum setting.

Free

Second Saturdays Story Time

Sat, 10 Oct 2026at11:00 AM

Join Second Saturdays Story Time at Harvard Art Museums for a colorful, child-friendly storytelling hour inspired by the galleries. Ideal for families with young children, the program blends read-aloud stories with interactive art activities in a welcoming museum setting.