At MIT’s List Visual Arts Center, contemporary art exhibitions share space with public works scattered across the Cambridge campus. The galleries present changing shows in a range of media, so the art on view varies with the exhibition program. Admission is free, and you can pick up a map inside to locate campus sculptures and other outdoor artworks. The building’s architecture is another reason to stop. Ask the staff about the works on display, then use the map to continue your art visit beyond the galleries.
Contemporary art at MIT
The List Visual Arts Center is MIT’s contemporary art gallery at 20 Ames Street in Cambridge. Its galleries present changing exhibitions of contemporary art in different media. The program includes six to nine exhibitions a year, so the works on view change over time.
The exhibitions can connect art with subjects such as technology, history and labor. One example in the material is Matthew Angelo Harrison’s installation Robota, which draws on the artist’s experience as a clay modeler for the Ford Motor Company. The center’s program is intended to give artists room to experiment, and the exhibitions invite visitors to consider ideas as well as the work’s visual form.
Public art across campus
The visit can continue outside the gallery. Public artworks are placed around MIT, and a map is available at the center to help you locate them. The collection includes works by Alexander Calder, Henry Moore and Pablo Picasso, as well as projects connected with MIT’s Percent-for-Art program.
Use the map to plan a walk through the campus and see the works in their surroundings. The outdoor collection is easier to explore in summer, when spending time between buildings is more comfortable. The center’s staff can also offer context about the exhibitions and artworks.
FAQ
Is admission to the MIT List Visual Arts Center free?
Yes. Admission to the center is free.
Where is the MIT List Visual Arts Center?
It is at 20 Ames Street in Cambridge, on the MIT campus.
Can I see art outside the galleries?
Yes. Public artworks are located around MIT, and you can get a map at the center to find them.
How many exhibitions does the center present each year?
The center presents six to nine contemporary art exhibitions annually.
