Established in
1967, the Berkeley Art Center represents and supports the diversity of
the Bay Area region with exhibitions and other cultural events in a
broad range of disciplines.
Special efforts are made to
present exhibits that reflect the unique perspectives of women, Native
American, Latino, African American, and Asian traditions, as well as
programs aimed at seniors, youth, the disability community and people of
diverse sexual orientations.
The Center is fully
wheelchair accessible.
|
Hours: |
Wednesday - Sunday
12 noon - 5pm
Free Admission.
Donations always welcome.
Directions available |
Located on the
eastern boundary of Live Oak Park in North Berkeley, California,
the art center's intimate gallery set on the edge of Corodonices
Creek is a great destination to combine with lunch, dinner or
shopping in nearby restaurants and boutiques. |
Mission
Art inspires. The
Berkeley Art Center is the City of Berkeley's art gallery, charged with
serving our city, the Bay Area and beyond as a forum for the art of our
time in all media. We celebrate art--complex, beautiful, and
provocative--through compelling exhibitions, performances and
educational opportunities in an exploration of the social and political
concerns of our diverse community. Be inspired.
History
The BAC presents exhibitions
with a national reputation and produces publications such as art
catalogs, and limited edition portfolios. We also sponsor weekly chamber
music concerts and a Literary Arts Program that features poetry
readings, workshops, exhibits and performances. Lectures, panel
discussions, slide presentations and conferences relating to the
exhibitions program augment the center’s offerings. An annual Youth Arts
Festival showcases the talent and dedication of Berkeley’s students and
the commitment of their teachers.
Nestled in a corner of
Berkeley’s Live Oak Park, situated on the bank of
Codornices Creek,
the Berkeley Art Center is one of the city’s architectural jewels. It
was designed by the venerable and disinguished architectural firm of
Ratcliff and Associates and built in 1966 by the Berkeley Rotary Club,
which donated it to the city in 1967.
A city agency during its
first decade, the Berkeley Art Center has since 1979 been run for the
community by the Berkeley Art Center Association, a non-profit
corporation. Beginning the mid-sixties the Berkeley Art Center has
presented programs that challenge, delight and inform audiences. BAC has
moved many artists forward in their careers through exposure to critics,
collectors, gallery and museum professionals and the viewing public.