From Calder sculptures at MIT to murals in Central Square, Cambridge has one of the best public art collections in New England.
Art Everywhere You Look
Cambridge has over 100 public art installations scattered across its 6.4 square miles. MIT alone has more than 60 works by artists including Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, Louise Nevelson, and Sol LeWitt. Harvard's campus adds dozens more. And the streets of Central Square and Inman Square are increasingly covered in murals. Here's a guide to the pieces worth seeking out.
Must-See Installations
Alexander Calder — "The Big Sail" (MIT)
Calder's 40-foot black steel stabile stands in front of MIT's Green Building. It's the perfect introduction to MIT's outdoor art collection.
Henry Moore — "Three-Piece Reclining Figure" (MIT)
A bronze masterwork on the Killian Court lawn, framed by the Great Dome. Best viewed during the golden hour.
Louise Nevelson — "Transparent Horizon" (MIT)
Nevelson's painted black steel sculpture near the Landau Building. A signature work by one of the 20th century's great sculptors.
Central Square Murals
The walls of Central Square feature an evolving collection of murals celebrating the neighborhood's diversity and music history. The Graffiti Alley behind the Middle East is always changing.
"Gift at the Hanging" — Porter Square T
Paul Matisse's kinetic sound sculpture in the Porter Square station. Walk down the long escalator and listen to the bells — public art that you experience, not just see.
Where to Start
Pick up a free MIT public art map at the MIT Welcome Center (77 Massachusetts Ave) or the MIT Museum. For Central Square murals, just walk along Massachusetts Avenue between MIT and Harvard — the street art reveals itself.