Harvard University has a long, rich history of art, both in its collections and in the work of its faculty and alumni. Harvard’s art museum is one of the oldest and most respected institutions in the United States, and it is home to an impressive array of artwork from around the world.
The Harvard Art Museums are a group of three museums located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This includes the Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum.
The Fogg Museum was founded in 1895 as the first museum dedicated to European art at an American university. The Busch-Reisinger Museum was opened in 1903 as a center for studying Central and Northern European art. And finally, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum was dedicated in 1985 to showcasing works from Asia, Africa, and Ancient America.
The Collection
The Harvard Art Museums collections span 5,000 years of human creativity from all corners of the globe. There are over 250,000 objects representing cultures from North and South America to Europe and Asia. In addition to paintings, sculpture and decorative arts there are also prints, photographs, drawings and archaeological artifacts.
Exhibits & Events
The Harvard Art Museums host temporary exhibitions year-round with changing themes. There are also lectures by renowned scholars and artists as well as special events such as film screenings and performances.
Conclusion
Yes – Harvard does have an art museum! With three distinct museums located on campus – The Fogg Museum, Busch-Reisinger Museum, and Arthur M. Sackler Museum – the Harvard Art Museums offer something for everyone with their extensive collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity from around the world.