The Council for the Arts at MIT underwrites MIT’s memberships at many Boston area cultural organizations, including the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA), and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Free tickets are available to students, faculty, and staff for timed entry to these museums. Please see below for more detailed information on our partnerships with specific institutions.

The Council also helps underwrite discounted student tickets to the Boston Ballet, and provides students with information about discounted tickets to performances by several area ensembles. The Bobko BSO Ticket Fund, created by Philip and Barbara Bobko, provides discounted tickets to BSO performances, and is administered by CAMIT.

 

As Boston-area arts organizations reopen, CAMIT will once again be offering access, however, we are unable to make any representations that they are safe to visit. Please ensure you understand each arts organization’s access procedures, as well as MIT’s community expectations for graduate and undergraduate students.

 

For more information, please contact council-arts@mit.edu.

 

 

Join our Arts Access Student Email List to receive alerts about arts opportunities, including free and discounted ticket offers
A geometric, modern building with "ICA" logo on a waterfront.
ICA Boston. Courtesy of the ICA.

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (ICA)

The Council for the Arts provides free general admission to the ICA for MIT students, faculty, and staff. The ICA reopened to the public on July 16 at restricted capacity; timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit the ICA University Membership webpage for more information and to reserve a free ticket with MIT’s University Membership.  

More information about the ICA

 

Status: open, timed tickets required

 

Eligibility: Current MIT students (with valid Student ID) and current MIT faculty and staff (with valid Employee ID)

Yellow flowers with Italianate arches and a classical statue in the background.
Gardner Museum Courtyard.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The Council for the Arts at MIT provides free general admission to the Gardner Museum for MIT students, faculty, and staff. 

 

As of July 15, the Gardner Museum is open with restricted capacity. Timed-entry tickets must be obtained in advance. To request the ticket code to reserve a free ticket through MIT’s University Membership, please fill out this short form.

More information about the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

 

Status: open, timed tickets required

 

Eligibility: Current MIT students, faculty, and staff; temporary free admission for all MIT affiliates (with valid ID)

A geometric metal sculpture on a lawn outside a grey building and a white building.
MFA Boston.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA)

The Council for the Arts at MIT provides free general admission to the Museum of Fine Arts for MIT students, faculty, and staff. MIT’s University Membership also provides $5 tickets for special temporary exhibitions, including Writing the Future and Monet and Boston.

 

Starting September 26, the Museum is open with restricted capacity. Timed-entry tickets must be obtained in advance. To request the ticket code to reserve a ticket through MIT’s University Membership, please fill out this short form. 

More information about the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 

 

Status: opening September 26, timed tickets required

 

Eligibility: Current MIT students (with valid Student ID) and current MIT faculty and staff (with valid Employee ID)

An orchestra conductor conducts a concert.
Andris Nelsons, Boston Symphony Orchestra, 2017.

Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO)

The Bobko BSO Ticket Fund underwrites student access to the BSO through the College Card program. CAMIT is delighted to offer a limited number of free BSO Online College Cards for MIT students for the 2020-21 season. Online College Cards provide free unlimited access to the Encore BSO Recitals series, the Pathways to the BSO Webinar series, and much more. Request your card here.

 

Visit the BSO at Home webpage for links to virtual events and other ways to engage with music remotely.

More information about the Boston Symphony Orchestra

 

Status: virtual events only in fall 2020; spring 2021 status to be announced

 

Eligibility: Current MIT students and postdocs (with valid ID)

Three dancers perform a contemporary ballet.
Parts in Suite, Boston Ballet, 2018.

Boston Ballet

The Council for the Arts at MIT sponsors discounted tickets for students to Boston Ballet performances each year. Further details about the 2020-21 season will be available after the Boston Ballet announces its plans regarding virtual and live performances.  

More information about the Boston Ballet

 

Status: 2020-21 season status pending

 

Eligibility: Current MIT students (with valid Student ID)