Massachusetts Arts & Entertainment

From the Berkshires' thriving music scene to Boston's legendary theater district, the state has something for everyone. Count on MassArt to make art accessible and inspiring to all.

Move your feet at Jacob's Pillow dance festival or clap for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Rhythm and rhyme are a big part of the Massachusetts arts scene.

Performing Arts

The state of Massachusetts (officially called the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) has a long history of arts and entertainment. From mellow jazz clubs to rock concerts, from classic plays to children's puppet shows, the Boston area is known for its vibrant culture and entertainment scene. But the state is also renowned for its high-quality educational institutions, including Harvard and MIT.

The Massachusetts landscape is dotted with world-class museums and art galleries, and home to some of the most prominent artists in America. It is also the birthplace of many influential social movements, such as the abolition movement, civil rights and women's rights. It is also well-known as the site of historic events, such as the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution.

Today, Massachusetts is a diverse and multicultural society. It is a leading manufacturing center with a rich economy, including high-technology industries. It is also a leading research and development centre, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Massachusetts's rich and varied cultural scene includes world-class theatre, dance and music. From the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington to New Bedford's magnificent Zeiterion, it is home to a wide variety of performances, from musicals and plays to ballet and rock music.

From the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to Mass MoCA and the smaller but equally prestigious Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts has a gallery for every taste. It is also the home of a number of important art schools and a major international ballet company.

In addition to its strong performing arts offerings, Massachusetts is a leader in public education. It has pioneered a variety of educational reform initiatives, including charter schools and performance-based learning. Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, located in Western Massachusetts, is one of the first performance-based public schools in the country to offer students intensive exposure to the performing arts as an integral part of their college preparatory curriculum.

From its beginnings as a small theatrical group, the Massachusetts Shakespeare Company has grown to be one of the most respected and acclaimed companies in the world. Today, the company has a reputation for producing outstanding plays and a long-standing commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.

Museums

Massachusetts’ museums are a fascinating window into our state’s past and present. They can be an oasis in the midst of a busy city or tucked away in the countryside, but they all offer something unique to visitors: the chance to contemplate a painting by Monet, lose yourself in the colors of Renoir, or learn about history.

Boston is home to an incredible array of museums, from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Clark Art Institute. Other notable Massachusetts museums include the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, which combines natural history and art to create a family-friendly experience. This museum features both permanent and rotating exhibitions. It also has a great kids’ area that includes hands-on exhibits on topics like rock formation and ice skating.

The Massachusetts Historical Society is a must-see for any visitor to Boston. This museum houses a large collection of historic art and artifacts, including documents from the Revolutionary War. Visitors can also take a tour of Faneuil Hall, which was once a marketplace and a meeting place for Samuel Adams and others advocating independence from the British government.

Western Massachusetts is a region known for its artists and authors, from Emily Dickinson to Dr. Seuss to Norman Rockwell. The culture of the region is reflected in its theater, performing arts and many museums that showcase the work of local artists, writers and sculptors.

A stop at one of the region’s museums is a wonderful way to spend time with your children or friends, and they can help you find something new about the world around you.

Massachusetts has a wide variety of museums that offer a little bit of everything, from a museum about paper-making to one dedicated to the history of ice hockey. The best Massachusetts museums are often a combination of a historic house, a library, an art gallery and some other special attractions. For example, the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield combines science and art with an emphasis on ancient cultures. They also have rotating and temporary exhibitions that focus on everything from aquariums to rocks and innovation.

Arts & Culture

Art and culture are at the heart of what makes Massachusetts a national symbol of ingenuity, creativity, and opportunity. It’s where you can experience world-class theater, dance and music, see the work of famous painters and sculptors, and learn about a new culture or language at a museum. The landscape of Western Massachusetts has also inspired generations of artists and thinkers. William Cullen Bryant penned an ode to a bubbling brook at his home in Cummington; Herman Melville’s final novel, Pierre, was written in the shadow of Mount Greylock.

The blending of Old World heritage and a vibrant, New England spirit produced a rich cultural environment in Massachusetts that continues to be a national model for the power of creativity. Our enduring legacy of artistic and intellectual achievement is the foundation on which our state’s future economy is built.

Today, the arts are an integral part of communities and a key driver of economic development. In addition to making the state a magnet for tourists, arts and culture create jobs and support other industries such as tourism and hospitality. The arts bring vibrancy to neighborhoods and communities, and the state’s public and private investments in the sector contribute to a stronger, more competitive local economy.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) supports the development and preservation of arts, heritage and community-based activities in the state’s 351 cities and towns through the Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. Each year, the LCC network awards over $2 million in grants to programs in the areas of:

The arts are not only a source of entertainment and education, but they also empower people to change the world for the better. The LCC program encourages collaboration between municipal agencies and other partners to make the arts accessible to all. By working together, we are able to increase the impact and reach of the arts on a daily basis, especially in our most vulnerable communities. In 2023, we’re just as committed as our Bostonian ancestors were in 1871 to the understanding that an investment in the arts prepares young minds to tackle a constantly changing world and economy.

Festivals

From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, there is no shortage of cultural events in Massachusetts. From world-class museums to dazzling dance performances, there is always something new to see and do in this Northeastern state. But, the summertime is when the state’s arts scene really heats up.

Whether you’re in the mood for classical music, jazz or Latinx theater, there’s likely an event that will appeal to you. Here are just a few of the festivals you’ll want to check out this season:

The renowned CCCF presents a series of concerts around scenic Cape Cod. This year’s schedule includes shows in Chatham, Wellfleet and Cotuit. Hailed by The New York Times as “a triumph of quality,” this is a must-see for any classical music fan.

For over three decades, the CCCF has presented world-class chamber music in an intimate setting that brings audiences closer to the artists on stage. This year’s schedule features a mix of classic favorites and contemporary works.

Art lovers flock to the prestigious Boston Arts Festival each year to see the latest in visual and performing arts. The event is also a platform for emerging and mid-career artists. In addition to showcasing work, the festival offers workshops and talks from professionals in the field.

Another annual tradition is the Saint Anthony’s Feast in downtown Boston. This North End and Italian festival lights up Hanover Street with decorations, a parade and live entertainment. It is also home to more than 100 push carts that serve up authentic eats.

This summer’s festival honors the region’s tireless fishermen, chefs and oyster shuckers while offering a feast for the senses. The festival showcases more than 24,000 handmade creations by hundreds of local artisans, as well as culinary demonstrations, beer gardens and specialty foods. A portion of the proceeds benefit several local charities.

As one of the 13 original colonies, Massachusetts has a unique place in the history of the United States. Its rich heritage has shaped the country with landmark documents such as the Mayflower Compact and Body of Liberties, which established freedom of religion among other important rights. And it is home to some of the country’s most prestigious universities, including MIT and Harvard.