Tours and Group Visits

A gallery guide points to sculptures by Tony Conrad and engage a group of gallery visitors.

Dr. Cathleen Chaffee, PhD, Chief Curator at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY and group of visitors at the List Center galleries in Introducing Tony Conrad: A Retrospective.

Learn more about contemporary art through thoughtful conversation and engaging first-hand exploration of art objects.

During our exhibition and public art tours, visitors are invited to look closely at original works of art and engage in discussions with a focus on artists’ practices, materials, exhibition themes, as well as social and cultural contexts for understanding.

For all tours, visit requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. We can accommodate groups between 5-20 people at a time. Late arrivals may receive a shortened visit and groups that are more than 15 minutes late may not receive a tour. Please contact listprograms [at] mit.edu (listprograms[at]mit[dot]edu) to book a group tour.

Exhibition Tours

Join a member of our staff or a tour guide for a 30-minute guided tour of our current exhibitions. Schedule a tour of the List Center’s current exhibitions for any high school, college, adult group, or organization.

Public Art Tours

Join a member of our staff or a tour guide for a 45-minute guided tour of MIT’s Public Art Collection. With MIT’s steady expansion efforts and our Percent-for-Art program, new works are continually being added across campus. Join one of our scheduled public art tours or book your own group visit for any high school, college, adult group, or organization. 

Self-Guided Tours

Explore the List Visual Arts Center’s current and past exhibitions using our Digital Guide, available on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app. Access high-resolution photography, videos, tours, and more, all from wherever you are.

Enjoy a customized, self-guided tour of public art and architecture across the Institute through our Public Art Map. If you are on campus, use our Mobile Public Art Map that includes suggested routes, information about artworks on view, and transcribed audio and video content. Listen to commentary by artists, architects, scholars, and curators – including Alicja Kwade, Anish Kapoor, Cai Guo-Qiang, Beverly Pepper, Jaume Plensa, Louise Nevelson, Matthew Ritchie, and Olafur Eliasson – focusing on over sixty works of art and architecture throughout the campus.

Student Guides

The Student Guides Program provides knowledge of MIT’s Public Art Collection, contemporary art practices, visual literacy and analysis, critical thinking, and public engagement with art, architecture, and environs. Join a public art tour or book your own group visit led by one of our Student Guides. Support for the Student Guide Program has been provided by the Ellis L. Phillips Foundation.

A group of four women standing side by side inside in an atrium in front of a gray railing and a gray with colorful lines geometric wall in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can my group park?

Public parking in Kendall Square is limited, but metered spaces are close by and garage parking is available at 90 Broadway Street. Parking is also available on campus after business hours and on weekends; visit MIT Parking and Transportation to find out more. 

What if my group is running late?

Please reach out to listprograms [at] mit.edu (listprograms[at]mit[dot]edu) with your approximate arrival time. Late arrivals may receive a shortened tour. Groups that arrive more than 15 minutes late may not receive a tour.

What should my group expect in case of inclement weather?

Plan for the tour to proceed during light showers. In case of inclement weather, the tour booker will be emailed to cancel or reschedule.

What accommodations are available upon request?

The List Center can alter a public art tour according to your group’s needs such as a slower pace, frequent breaks, and the use of ramps and elevators. For more information about the accommodations we provide, read through our accessibility page.

Our galleries, programs, and special events are free and open to all. We are committed to providing resources and accommodations to make exhibitions and special events more accessible. If you have access-related questions or feedback about your visit to the List Center, please listaccessibility [at] mit.edu (contact us). 

If I am bringing my class to the List Center for a self-guided visit of the exhibitions, do I need to book with someone?

Yes, please reach out to listprograms [at] mit.edu (listprograms[at]mit[dot]edu), with your class, an approximate number of students, and the university you are associated with, so we know to expect your class. During the visit, please be mindful of blocking entrances.