Arts & Culture

The Harvard Ed Portal arts program brings Harvard art and artists to audiences in Allston-Brighton and beyond, offers youth programming focused on hands-on arts learning, and supports the ability of neighborhood artists and creatives to make a living through technical assistance and capacity-building.

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The Ed Portal introduced me to this phenomenal program in the arts and to a wonderful community that has tremendously enriched my retirement life and made me so happy and so positive, energetic and grateful. It's a space for everyone in the community, the young and the retired.

Yun Thwaits, Ed Portal member

Yun Thwaits 2019

Harvard Public Art & Culture Tour: Allston

Named after Washington Allston—a visionary painter and 1800 Harvard graduate—the neighborhood of Allston features vibrant, eclectic art that reflects its creativity and diversity. On this self-guided tour, you'll discover "can't-miss" public art installations along Western Avenue (and beyond!) and learn the stories behind them and their artists. Download the tour on the Visit Harvard mobile app and follow along to explore hand-painted murals, sky-high sculptures, 25-cent art prints, and more!

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Visual Arts

Exhibitions

The Harvard Ed Portal features work by Harvard and local artists through exhibitions in the Crossings Gallery and public art installations outside of the Ed Portal. Visitors are welcome to enjoy exhibitions whenever the Ed Portal is open.

Interference Patterns, by Matthew Bajor
On view January 25, 2024 – March 20, 2024

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Coming Soon!

Staff Art Show

Harvard Staff Art Show at the Crossings Gallery from March 28 - May 16 

Ever wonder what your co-workers do when they aren’t at work? At Harvard, more than 240 staffers moonlight as artists after-hours — balancing their day jobs with creative pursuits in sculpture, drawing, painting, collage, design, photography and more! 

Come to Crossings Gallery March 28 - May 16 to experience nearly 40 of these artists’ work in-person. Visit the online exhibition to see the full showcase of artists from almost every Harvard School and unit and learn about more in-person exhibitions. 

 

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Inventing Spaces

Immerse yourself in Erin Jackson's augmented reality-enabled mural, Inventing Spaces, outside the Harvard Ed Portal! Painted with an array of warm hues in Jackson's abstract style, this interactive public art piece aims to expand the traditional 2D visual art experience. Explore the multiple layers and fictitious space brought to life by augmented reality (AR) and become an active part of the project.

On view through April 15, 2024

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My immense gratitude to everyone at the important resource that is the Harvard Ed Portal, who spearheaded my exhibition and then educated me on the grant opportunity with the City of Boston Arts and Culture Opportunity Fund and guided me through the application process.

Nate Dow, Brighton-based artist
Lost in Boston, 2017 Crossings Gallery exhibition

Lost in Boston exhibition photo

Performing Arts

Tef Poe

The Ed Portal’s year-round live performance programming features music, dance, and theater by Harvard faculty, students, and other affiliates. At the heart of the Ed Portal’s facility is a multipurpose room that can seat 120 guests. This space plays host to events including both concerts and experiential offerings that invite audiences to become part of the performance and the process of art-making.

Harvard Ed Portal Mixtape

Over the past decade, we’ve enjoyed working with local musicians and visiting artists in a variety of performances and programs from outdoor parks to farmers' market stages, open rehearsals to feature length concerts. The Harvard Ed Portal, in collaboration with Zone 3's Mixtape Project, has created a playlist that demonstrates the breadth of music that has entertained our audiences. Spanning mariachi to classical, kids to folk, rock to world music, jazz and more, we’ve featured artists from Allston, Brighton, and all over the globe.

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Teaching Arts

The Ed Portal's teaching arts programs provide Allston-Brighton youth access to hands-on arts learning. Delivered in week- and semester-long formats, programs connect students with talented Allston-Brighton and Harvard artists and educators in small-group settings dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic exploration.

Teaching Arts

Ceramics Community Scholarship

Ceramics Class

The Harvard Ed Portal and the Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard jointly offers a limited amount of scholarships each spring, summer, and fall for a 10-12 week course at the Ceramics Studio. Any Allston-Brighton resident age 18+ is eligible to apply, and no prior ceramics experience is needed. The scholarship covers the cost of registration and materials for one course. 

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Creative Economy & Working Artists

In addition to presenting events and programs for a broad audience, the Arts Program supports artists, cultural workers, makers, and creatives living and/or working in Allston-Brighton. Through professional development, exhibition and performance opportunities, and connecting people to financial and other resources, we work to support the local creative economy by connecting working artists to the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive in their careers.

Allston-Brighton Winter Market 2019

Ed Portal Membership Benefits

American Repertory Theater

American Repertory Theater

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) provides community cards for Ed Portal members to purchase discounted tickets to select shows at the Loeb Drama Center throughout the year. Each card allows members to purchase up to four tickets to A.R.T. shows for $20 per ticket. Limit one card per family (four tickets total) per year. Members can pick up community cards at the Ed Portal’s front desk.

Museums of Science & Culture

Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) annually provides Ed Portal members two free passes, which can be picked up at the Ed Portal's front desk. Explore the Harvard Semitic Museum, Harvard Museum of Natural History, or the Peabody Museum of Archaeology!

Visitors at the Harvard Art Museums

Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Art Museums provides free admission to all visitors! More information about current exhibitions can be found on the Harvard Art Museums' website (plus information about making advance reservations which are available but not required).

Ceramics

Harvard Partners

The Arts team works with partners across the University to bring exhibitions, performances, learning opportunities, and professional development to the Allston-Brighton community and beyond.

See the list

Artisans Asylum logo emblazoned on a welding helmet.

Community Partners

The Arts team regularly collaborates with artists and community-based arts organizations on programming that highlights the rich creative resources of the neighborhood and city.

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Let's Work Together!

Contact us if you're a Cambridge or Boston artist who is interested in working together on future performances, gallery shows, public art installations, or professional development classes.

Contact Us

Community Partners

Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture
Boston Public Schools
Brooklyn Rider
A Far Cry
Allston Open Studios
American Modern Opera Company
Ballet Russes Arts Initiative
Boston LGBTQIA Artists Alliance
Creative City
PRX Podcast Garage
Unbound Visual Arts, Inc.

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Harvard Partners

Harvard Business School
David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies
Davis Center for Russian & Eurasian Studies
Department of Romance Languages & Literatures
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Peabody Museum
Harvard Art Museums
Harvard University Department of Music
Hutchins Center for African and African American Research
Office for the Arts at Harvard
American Repertory Theater
The Silkroad & The Silk Road Ensemble
Nieman Foundation
Harvard Student Art Collaborative
Ceramics Program, Office for the Arts at Harvard

 

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