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.
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