Looking for museum exhibits in Boston in May? Boston is home to some of the best museums in the country that cater to a variety of interests including artistic, scientific or historic. These popular cultural spaces host a number of virtual and in-person events every month to feed your curiosity and open you up to new ideas.
There is a lot going on in Boston Museums in May 2021. Our top picks include a contemporary dance at Gardner, free admission day at Institute Of Contemporary Art, Volunteer Scientist Initiative at Museum of Science and more!!!
Upcoming Museum Exhibits and Virtual Events In May 2021 In Boston
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Meditations on the Power of Community
What: A newly commissioned work which illuminates the stories of the Chinatown community against the backdrop of the Shen Wei: Painting in Motion exhibit. The performance is in fact a contemporary dance choreographed by the 2021 Artist in Residence, Lenora Lee along with Boston-based dancers that provides insight into the experiences of Boston’s Chinatown and its residents.
When: Thursday, 11 May 2021, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual
How much: Free admission
Harvard Museum of Natural History: Glass Flowers Tours – The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants
What: A virtual tour of the very well-known Glass Flowers exhibit which delves into the history, artistry, and significance of the collection giving the participants a chance to explore the gallery’s artefacts through the screen. Head to the museum’s website soon as there’s limited seating and tickets are selling fast.
When: Thursday, 11 May 2021, 6 p.m.
Where: Virtual
How much: $8 for members, $10 for nonmembers.
A smart way to enjoy some of the museums and other attractions in Boston is to get the Go Boston Explorer pass which gives you discounted admission to Harvard Museum and other museums and attractions around Boston.
Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston: Memorial Day: Free Admission For All
What: An all access pass to museum exhibits including Eva LeWitt, Ragnar Kjartansson: The Visitors and Beyond Infinity: Contemporary Art after Kusama, to mark the special day. Entry into the museum and its varied exhibitions will be free for all visitors. One of our top picks for month of May. A great way to enjoy museum exhibits on a budget in Boston!
When: Monday, 31 May 2021, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
How much: Free admission
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Writing the Future: Basquiat and the Hip-Hop Generation with Fab 5 Freddy, Futura, Lee Quiñones, Lady Pink
What: A panel discussion that walks through the post-graffiti moment in 1980s New York which witnessed the transition of street art from railway tracks and city walls to the world of exhibitions and museums. Joining in the discussion will be panelists who will throw light on the works of the prophetic founders of hip-hop culture. The conversation promises to be thoroughly insightful, followed by a QnA with the audience afterwards.
When: Monday, 10 May 2021, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Virtual
How much: Free admission
Harvard Art Museums: Art Talk Live: Reframing the Tianlongshan Cave Temple Fragments
What: A talk that highlights the collaboration of Harvard students with the museum on investigations that delved into the 25 stone fragments obtained from the Tianlongshan cave temples in China’s northern Shanxi province. This session will be all about studying how the stones were created, what they stand for in Buddhist medieval China and how they journeyed all the way to America. The talk will be led by Sarah Laursen, a curator of Chinese art at the museum.
When: Tuesday, 18 May 2021, 12.30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Virtual
How much: Free admission
Museum of Science: Wicked Hot Mystic
What: A heat mapping campaign undertaken by the museum’s team for understanding where extreme heat and urban heat islands are in the Boston area. You can register as a volunteer scientist and be a part of this exciting initiative or simply attend the talks and discussions organised ahead of the investigative period. The actual mapping will happen in July and August 2021.
When: Registrations are now open for the campaign
Where: 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
How much: Free admission
Interested in enjoying Boston Museum Exhibits on budget? Check out our article on Free & Cheap Admission to Boston Museums!