There is no shortage of fun things to do in Western Massachusetts for people of all ages. Because of the Five College consortium, Hampshire College students, community members and visitors have access to a wide range of museums for everyone, from the modern art enthusiast to the child at heart in all of us.
Fun Things to do in Western Mass: Art Museums
Numerous museums in the Five College area offer free admission for Five College students, faculty, and staff. These museums also offer various free and discount promotions for non-Five College community members.
Located on the Hampshire College campus, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is devoted to the art of the picture book. The museum also features an art studio where guests of all ages are encouraged to expand their imaginations and experiment with a variety of art materials. The museum also offers classes for all age levels.
The Smith College Museum of Art houses Smith’s permanent collection and changing exhibitions that regularly include a family-friendly resource area.
The Mead Art Museum holds the art collection of Amherst College, featuring American and European paintings, Mexican ceramics, Tibetan scroll paintings, English paneled room, ancient Assyrian carvings, Russian avant-garde art, West African sculpture, and Japanese prints.
The Mount Holyoke College Art Museum was one of the first collegiate museums in the United States. The museum has acquired more than 16,000 objects, ranging from ancient Egypt, China, and Peru to contemporary America.
The University Museum of Contemporary Art – the teaching museum of the University Massachusetts Amherst – is a multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art.
All of these museums are members of Museums 10, a collective of ten museums that offer diverse exhibitions, collections, and programs throughout Western Massachusetts. Museums 10 is affiliated with the Five College consortium. More information »
Fun Things to do in Western Mass: Art Walks
If museums aren’t your thing, a variety of local art walks are available to enable you to get your body and mind moving at the same time. “Art walks” are community events allowing participants to visit local businesses and galleries to see work by local artists and artisans.
Amherst Artwalk is the first Thursday of each month from 5-8 p.m.
Northampton offers Arts Night Out, an art walk on the second Friday of each month. A variety of galleries in the center of Northampton are open for the public.
Nearby Easthampton offers Artswalk Easthampton every second Saturday of the month from 5-8 p.m.
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