What to See
Public art
We invite you to take a walk around MIT’s renowned public art collection which includes works from Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, Jacques Lipchitz, Matthew Ritchie, Frank Stella, and Sol LeWitt.
Building innovation – campus architecture
MIT’s campus vision is to create infrastructure that fosters the cross-fertilization of ideas, with architecture that reinforces the vital, forward-thinking spirit of the community it serves. Such modern masters as Alvar Aalto (Baker House), Eero Saarinen (MIT Chapel, Kresge Auditorium), I.M. Pei (Wiesner Building, Green Building, Dreyfus Building, Landau Building), Steven Holl (Simmons Hall), and Frank Gehry (The Ray and Maria Stata Center) have all designed buildings for MIT.
List Visual Arts Center
The MIT List Visual Arts Center is at 20 Ames Street, MIT building E15, on the Atrium level. It houses a collection of contemporary art in all media, in addition to managing the Artists in Residence and Percent-for-Art programs. Admission to all exhibitions and related events is free and open to the general public. Group tours of exhibitions and of the outdoor public sculpture collection may be arranged by calling 617-253-4400. The galleries are wheelchair accessible. Other assistive accommodations (listening devices, ASL interpretation) may be arranged two weeks in advance by calling 617-253-4400. The Massachusetts Relay Service number (for calls originating within Massachusetts) is 800-439-2370 (TTY). The museum is open Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 – 6:00pm.
MIT Museum
The MIT Museum is located at 265 Massachusetts Avenue, MIT building N52. In addition to the world’s largest collection of holography, the museum features Kismet and other MIT robots, the interactive sculptures of Arthur Ganson, and Harold “Doc” Edgerton’s famous stop-motion photography, as well as programs and activities for all ages. Hours and visitors’ tips are available at the Museum’s website, as are the hours of the Compton Gallery in MIT building 10, and the Hart Nautical Gallery in MIT building 5. All facilities at the MIT Museum and its galleries are wheelchair accessible, and sign language interpretation and disability assistance are available through Visitors’ Services. Please call them at 617-253-5927. The museum is open Monday – Sunday from 10:00 – 5:00pm.
For other up-to-date information on other arts-related events on campus, check out the arts events calendar.
Where to Eat
Options abound for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, both on campus and nearby in Cambridge’s Kendall Square:
Abigail’s
Au Bon Pain
Dunkin Donuts
Champions Sports Bar (at Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel)
Clover Food Truck
Cosi
EVOO
The Friendly Toast
Fuji
Kendall Hotel/Black Sheep Restaurant
Kendall Market & Deli
Kika Tapas
Legal Sea Foods
Rebecca’s Café
Sebastians
Tatte Bakery and Café
Za Restaurant
Zigo