Art is everywhere, especially in Boston. The city is home to many arts venues, from concert halls to theaters to museums. Below is a list of the main arts spots I think every student should check out before they graduate.
The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
Located about 10 miles from campus, the MFA is a popular arts location for students to visit during the weekends. This year, the MFA will be receiving several new exhibits, which feature a variety of new pieces, starting in mid August. Brandeis undergraduate students have free admission when they present their university ID, as Brandeis is a part of the MFA’s University Membership Program. Hurry and catch these new exhibits while you can, as they are only on display until January.
TD Garden
TD Garden features a large stadium-style concert venue located right next to North Station in Boston. Despite being 16 miles from campus, it is easily accessible from Brandeis; just take the commuter rail to North Station. Last year, TD Garden hosted several major concerts, including Maroon 5 and KISS Jingle Ball 2014. Check the TD Garden website for upcoming concerts.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM)
Located near South Boston, ISGM features myriad art pieces composed of different media. ISGM is home to over 2,500 pieces from a wide range of time periods. Brandeis sophomore and Boston native, Abraham Cheloff, describes it as “different type of museum … a good place to visit.” Brandeis students receive free admission to ISGM. Take a day to explore the unique art at ISGM and see if you agree with Cheloff.
Boston Calling Music Festival
As many music fans know, Boston Calling is a popular three-day music festival that will be held at the City Hall Plaza in Boston from Sept. 25-27. This year’s line-up features some major up-and-coming artists and bands, such as Hozier, Walk the Moon, Of Monsters and Men and Ben Howard.
Citi Performing Arts Center
The Citi Performing Arts Center is comprised of three separate theaters—Wang Theater, Shubert Theater and Emerson Colonial Theater—all about 20 minutes away from Brandeis. If you’re interested in live performances in theater, I recommend attending a play or musical at one of the Citi Center theaters. Ticket prices vary depending on the show; discounts may be available for college students depending on the company presenting the show.
House of Blues Boston
All music fans know that the House of Blues is one of the most famous music venues. Luckily for all you Brandeis music fanatics, the House of Blues in Boston is just 13 miles away and tickets are generally reasonably priced, depending on the performer. Though I haven’t been to the House of Blues in Boston, I love that they book a wide variety of artist. I promise that you’ll find a concert that appeals to your taste at the House of Blues.
Boston Common
The Boston Common is one of the most beautiful places in Boston, in my opinion. It’s a large park located on Boylston Street. (If you keep walking along Boylston Street, for about 2 miles, you will reach the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, where you can catch the Brandeis shuttle back to campus.). It’s famous for the historic Freedom Trail, but because of its openness, it has become a popular venue for arts events, such as festivals or concerts. Whether or not there’s an event going on at the Common, it is definitely worth it to visit and walk around.
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
The ICA is Boston’s first new art museum in 100 years. It’s a beautiful building located right on the waterfront. Featuring a variety of contemporary exhibits, the ICA is definitely somewhere to visit if you love modern art. The ICA will be receiving several new exhibits soon that’ll be on display for the next year. University students can buy discounted tickets for $10.
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub
The Middle East Nightclub is located in Cambridge, just a T stop away from the Cambridge shuttle stop. The venue boasts three performance rooms, two family-style restaurants and a more elegant restaurant. Many of the performers at the Middle East Nightclub are smaller-name artists and bands, as well as cover bands. This is a great location for anyone who’s looking for some live music, but isn’t a fan of larger spaces.
The Rose Art Museum
The Rose Art Museum is located on the Brandeis campus. Out front, the newly-installed “Light of Reason” sculpture, by Chris Burden, illuminates the campus at night and has become a popular photography location. Inside, the exhibits feature a combination of owned and borrowed drawings and paintings that are rotated every few months. In fact, you can rent a piece from the museum to keep in your dorm. In addition to displaying artwork, the Rose Art Museum hosts several events throughout the year, made known through the Rose’s Facebook page.
