On View

Past Event Series

Current Event Series

  • Imagining Beyond Authoritarianism: Race and Gender in Our Times

    February 10, 2024

    Join us for a daylong exploration of the theme “Imagining Beyond Authoritarianism: Race and Gender in Our Times,” co-hosted by BAMPFA, UC Berkeley’s Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry, and the International Consortium of Critical Theory Programs.

    View

  • Black Studies Open University

    Abolition Democracy Fellows Spring 2023 Speaker Series

    February 1–April 19, 2023

    The Black Studies Collaboratory is a collaborative initiative to address racial inequality through bold and unique humanities-based research projects, housed in the Department of African American Studies and funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The project asks, What is the role of Black studies in building more just futures? What lessons from Black feminist, Black radical, and Black intellectual traditions can we apply to this moment in history? And how do we solidify our commitment to Black studies as a public good?

    View

  • Video Art in Context

    Arts + Design Thursdays

    January 19—April 19, 2023

    How have artists made use of the screen? What are the opportunities and hazards of using the screen as a vehicle for connection? A stunning roster of artists, curators, designers, and critics consider these questions and more.

    View

  • Workshops 2023

    Ongoing

    Inspire your creativity, engage your senses, and expand your ideas.

    View

  • Talks & Conversations 2023

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Readings

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Performances 2023

    Ongoing

    Music, dance, and other creative actions to inspire you at home.

    View

  • Full

    Monthly Performance Series

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Five Tables

    First Thursdays of each month

    Five Tables is a monthly event coinciding with First Free Thursdays organized by the BAMPFA staff, and periodically by the Student Committee. Drop by the Florence Helzel Works on Paper Study Center for a curated behind-the-scenes experience.

    View

  • Exhibition Tours 2023

    Ongoing

    Get a deeper look at the artworks on view by joining an expert-led tour.

    View

  • Black Life

    Ongoing

    Experience the vitality and range of cultural production in the African diaspora through this multidisciplinary event series.

    View

  • The Black Poet’s Imagination

    September 25–November 13, 2022

    This reading series brings together a deeply talented group of Black poets and highly skilled performers to address themes of revolution, wounding, and intergenerational healing through powerful words.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays

    Thinking Through Art and Design: Creativity & Practice

    September 1–December 1, 2022

    BAMPFA partners with Berkeley Arts + Design to offer this lecture series about creativity and practice as a vital resource in times of change. Join us every Thursday afternoon to hear cutting-edge thinkers and makers share about their creative practice.

    View

  • Arts + Design Fridays

    Landscapes of Migration, Incarceration, and Resistance

    September 2–December 2, 2022

    Join us for a lively series of talks by artists, performers, scholars, and activists exploring themes of global and US migration, exclusion, and belonging. We use the historic Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay as jumping-off point for this exploration.

    View

  • Arts + Design Fridays @ BAMPFA

    Perseverance, Renewal, and Reflection in a Changing World

    February 4–April 29, 2022

    Join us every Friday afternoon to explore cutting-edge thinking and making on topics of current interest to UC Berkeley’s creative faculty.

    View

  • Workshops 2022-3

    Ongoing

    Inspire your creativity, engage your senses, and expand your ideas.

    View

  • Readings 2022

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Performances

    Ongoing

    Music, dance, and other creative actions to inspire you at home.

    View

  • Full 2022

    Monthly Performance Series

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Five Tables 2022

    First Thursdays of each month

    Five Tables is a monthly event coinciding with First Free Thursdays organized by the BAMPFA staff, and periodically by the Student Committee. Drop by the Florence Helzel Works on Paper Study Center for a curated behind-the-scenes experience.

    View

  • Family Events 2022-2023

    Ongoing

    Second Saturdays: Hands-on activities and participatory readings designed for kids and their families.

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays @ BAMPFA

    Perseverance, Renewal, and Reflection in a Changing World

    September 13–November 15, 2021

    Pre-register for the events using the zoom registration link in the event pages below. For more information and updates, visit artsdesign.berkeley.edu.

    View

  • Guided Tours 2022

    Ongoing

    Get a deeper look at the artworks on view by joining an expert-led tour.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays @ BAMPFA

    Creativity and Practice

    September 2–December 2, 2021

    All events will be live captioned. If you require captioning to access a prerecorded event on our site, please contact Paris Cotz at pariscotz@berkeley.edu. Please allow seven to ten days for captioning to be provided.

    View

  • Thingamajigs Virtual Residency

    July 8–31, 2021

    Genre-crossing music and arts organization Thingamajigs returns to BAMPFA for a monthlong residency of virtual performances and conversations.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays

    Time-based Media Art

    January 28–April 29, 2021

    Join a changing lineup of media artists, curators, and thinkers as they explore the history and future of time-based media art.

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays

    February 1–April 26, 2021

    Join a changing lineup of artists, scholars, and experts as they share perspectives on timely topics. 

    View

  • Readings 2021

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Full 2021

    Monthly Performance Series

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays @ BAMPFA

    Together: Reinventing Politics, Reimagining Health

    September 14–November 30, 2020

    This public lectures series is organized by the UC Berkeley Arts + Design Initiative and cocurated by departments across campus. This year’s theme focuses on the aesthetics and politics of being “together,” online and offline—in educational contexts, civic contexts, and our personal lives.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays 2020

    Visual Cultures: Aesthetics of the Digital

    September 3–December 3, 2020

    This webinar series focuses on the creation, delivery, and interpretation of visual experiences, defined by physical, physiological, and social conditions, which together form visual cultures. Presenters reflect a diverse range of cultural and creative backgrounds.

    View

  • Views and Voices

    Personal Perspectives on the Collection

    Ongoing

    This new audio series is designed to bring you closer to individual people behind BAMPFA and individual works from our art and film collections.

    View

  • From Collective Isolation

    Poetry in Response to the Pandemic

    Ongoing

    We’re presenting some of our favorite poets from the last few years of the series online, reading recent work that speaks to our current moment of isolation.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays @ BAMPFA: Public Art and Belonging

    January 23–April 23, 2020

    This noon lecture series explores relationships between art and belonging, with a focus on race.

    View

  • Five Tables 2020–21

    Five Tables is a monthly event coinciding with First Free Thursdays organized by the BAMPFA staff, and periodically by the Student Committee. Drop by the Florence Helzel Works on Paper Study Center for a curated behind-the-scenes experience.

    View

  • Workshops 2022

    Ongoing

    Inspire your creativity, engage your senses, and expand your ideas.

    View

  • Talks & Conversations 2022

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Talks & Conversations 2021

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Readings 2020

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Readings

    Ongoing

    Poetry readings, book signings, and other literary events celebrate the written and spoken word.

    View

  • Readings

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Performances 2020

    Ongoing

    Music, dance, and other creative actions bring the BAMPFA space to life.

    View

  • Performances

    Ongoing

    Music, dance, and other creative actions to inspire you at home.

    View

  • Online Events

    Ongoing

    Stay connected with livestreaming and recorded events, from conversations with artists to dance performances and more.

    View

  • Guided Tours 2020

    Ongoing

    Get a deeper look at the artworks on view by joining an expert-led tour.

    View

  • Gallery Talks, Lectures & Discussions 2020

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Full 2020

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Film to Table Dinners at Babette 2020

    Ongoing

    Delectable dinners following screenings of the films that inspired them

    View

  • Family Events 2020

    Ongoing

    Hands-on activities, participatory readings, performances, movie matinees, and more events designed for kids and their families.

    View

  • Family Events

    Ongoing

    Second Saturdays: Hands-on activities and participatory readings designed for kids and their families.

    View

  • Duets in Social Distance

    Ongoing

    Videos by five cohabitating couples, who are also musical collaborators, created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    View

  • Curator's Circle Events

    View

  • Black Life 2022

    Ongoing

    Experience the vitality and range of cultural production in the African diaspora through this multidisciplinary event series.

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays @ BAMPFA: Equity and Democracy

    September 9, 2019–April 13, 2020

    Join Berkeley Arts + Design and dozens of UC Berkeley campus organizations every Monday as we explore the connections among creative practice, social movements, and the strategic research of our public university.

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays @ BAMPFA: Responsible Design from Bits to Buildings

    August 29–November 21, 2019

    This lecture series examines the role of the designer in articulating new methods connecting the conceptual knowledge for asking why with technical skills for asking how.

    View

  • March Member Appreciation Month 2019

    March 1–31, 2019

    A full month of members-only events and discounts celebrating you, BAMPFA members!

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays @ BAMPFA

    Creativity, Migration, Transformation

    January 24–April 25, 2019

    Presenters from a diverse range of cultural and creative backgrounds explore the specific and metaphoric connections between creative action and the possibility of personal, cultural, and social transformation.

    View

  • Five Tables 2019

    Ongoing

    Drop by our art study centers on Free First Thursdays for an up-close look at treasures from the BAMPFA collection.

    View

  • Workshops 2019

    Ongoing

    From hands-on art making to storytelling and performance, our workshops will inspire your creativity, engage your senses, and expand your ideas.

    View

  • Readings 2019

    Ongoing

    Meet the authors of new books and hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Guided Tours 2019

    Ongoing

    Get a deeper look at the artworks on view by joining an expert-led tour.

    View

  • Gallery Talks, Lectures & Discussions 2019

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Full 2019

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Film to Table Dinners at Babette 2019

    Ongoing

    Delectable dinners following screenings of the films that inspired them

    View

  • Family Events 2019

    Ongoing

    Hands-on activities, participatory readings, performances, movie matinees, and more events designed for kids and their families.

    View

  • Curator's Circle Events 2019

    2019 View

  • Black Life 2019

    Ongoing

    Experience the vitality and range of cultural production in the African diaspora through this exciting, multidisciplinary event series.

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays @ BAMPFA: Fact and Fiction

    September 10, 2018–April 29, 2019

    Distinguished speakers bring new approaches to age-old questions: How do we distinguish fact from fiction, the real from the artificial, truth from lies?

    View

  • Arts + Design Thursdays @ BAMPFA Fall 2018

    Creativity, Migration, Transformation

    August 30–November 15, 2018

    This lecture series explores connections among creative works, the experiences of migration, and the possibilities of personal and social transformation.

    View

  • Arts + Design Wednesdays @ BAMPFA

    Experiment and Exploration

    January 24–April 25, 2018 View

  • Gallery Talks, Lectures & Discussions 2018

    Ongoing

    Artists, curators, scholars, and others share their insights on BAMPFA exhibitions, the arts, and other cultural topics.

    View

  • Family Events 2018

    Ongoing

    Hands-on activities, participatory readings, performances, movie matinees, and more events designed for kids and their families.

    View

  • Guided Tours 2018

    Ongoing

    Get a deeper look at the artworks on view by joining an expert-led tour.

    View

  • Full 2018

    Ongoing

    Explore the BAMPFA galleries and discover exciting performances in our dramatic space on the night of each full moon.

    View

  • Workshops 2018

    Ongoing

    From hands-on art making to dance and meditation, our workshops will inspire your creativity, engage your senses, and expand your ideas.

    View

  • Readings 2018

    Ongoing

    Hear poets and other literary lights read their work.

    View

  • Film to Table Dinners at Babette 2018

    Ongoing

    Delectable dinners following screenings of the films that inspired them.

    View

  • Curator's Circle Events 2018

    2018 View

  • Black Life 2018

    Ongoing

    Experience the vitality and range of cultural production in the African diaspora through this exciting, multidisciplinary event series.

     

    View

  • Arts + Design Mondays @ BAMPFA—2017–18

    Public (Re)Assembly

    September 11, 2017–April 30, 2018

    This lecture series asks: What is the role of public assembly in our current moment?

    View

  • Arts + Design Wednesdays @ BAMPFA 2017

    Curation Across Disciplines

    August 30–November 29, 2017

    In this lecture series, some of the most innovative and incisive writers, artists, and scholars of our time consider what it means to curate today.

    View

  • Black Life 2017

    Ongoing

    Experience the vitality and range of cultural production in the African diaspora through this exciting, multidisciplinary event series.

    View

  • Hippie Modernism Forums

    February 11 – May 13, 2017

    This series of four Saturday afternoon forums brings together artists, scholars, and counterculture veterans to explore the contemporary relevance of the Bay Area hippie legacy.

    View

  • Five Tables 2018

    Ongoing

    Drop by our art study centers on Free First Thursdays for an up-close look at treasures from the BAMPFA collections.

    View

  • Workshops 2017

    Ongoing

    Hands-on workshops and more!

    View

  • Readings 2017

    Ongoing View

  • Guided Tours 2017

    Ongoing

    Guided exhibition tours led by UC Berkeley graduate students.

    View

  • Gallery Talks, Lectures & Discussions 2017

    January 20–December 9, 2017 View

  • Full 2017 Music & Performance

    Full Moon Performances

    Once a month, our galleries come alive with experimental music and other impromptu happenings. 

    View

  • Film to Table Dinners at Babette 2017

    Ongoing

    Delectable dinners following screenings of the films that inspired them.

    View

  • Family Events 2017

    Ongoing

    Hands-on activities, participatory readings, performances, movie matinees and other events for children and their families. 

    View

  • Family Events 2016

    Ongoing

    Tours, hands-on activities, participatory readings, performances, and other events for children and their families.

    View

  • Roundtable Reading for Kids

    Ages 8 & up

    Ongoing

    Participatory reading for kids ages 8 & up.

    View

  • Gallery Talks & Lectures

    Ongoing View

  • Architecture of Plant Life: Four Garden Tours

    February 11–April 17, 2016

    Tours of the UC Botanical Garden, home to 11,000 different plants, offer a close look at nature’s perfectly built architectural gems.

    View

  • Perspectives on the Architecture of Life

    Lunchtime Talks

    Selected Fridays, February 5–April 29, 2016

    UC Berkeley professors from across campus offer immersive reads of works on view in Architecture of Life. 

    View

  • Guided Tours 2016

    Ongoing

    Guided exhibition tours led by UC Berkeley graduate students.

    View

  • Workshops 2016

    Ongoing

    Hands-on workshops & more

    View

  • Family Fare

    Second Saturday of Each Month

    Family Fare connects art viewing with art making in ways that engage both young people and their grown-ups.

    View

  • Grand Opening Week

    The New BAMPFA

    January 2016

    Four days of festivities to celebrate the opening of the new BAMPFA in downtown Berkeley.

    View

  • Big Ideas

    Architectures of Life Across UC Berkeley

    January 27–April 20, 2016

    In this UC Berkeley lecture course open to the public on selected Wednesdays, professors from different disciplines explore themes of BAMPFA's Architecture of Life exhibition.

    View

  • Readings 2016

    Ongoing View

  • Full 2016

    On the Night of Each Full Moon

    Once a month, our galleries come alive with experimental music and other impromptu happenings. 

    View