Art Museums in East Bay

Berkeley Art Center (BAC) has a unique seven sided gallery that was designed and built by the Ratcliff architecture firm and donated by Rotary International to the city of Berkeley in 1967. BAC presents visual art exhibitions, musical performances and literary programs. It is located in Live Oak Park, set in a grove of trees along Codornices Creek that is one of Berkeleys eight artesian springs. Visual art presentations may include a film festival, an exhibition of the works of Berkeley school students, video installations, weaving, and photography. Musical presentations include jazz, classical chamber ensembles and solo piano or voice recitals. Literary arts include drama and poetry, and numerous authors have launched their books and conducted book signings and readings.

This museum was founded in 1963 following artist and teacher Hans Hofmann's donation of forty five paintings and is the largest collection of this important Abstract Expressionist artist in the world. The particular strengths of the museum are in historical and contemporary Asian art, early American painting, mid twentieth century, conceptual, and contemporary international art, and California and Bay Area art.

The cultural centers mission is to promote the understanding of Asian Pacific American arts, culture and local contributions. They have exhibits, events, workshops and classes.

The Oakland Museum of California is devoted to the art, history and natural sciences of California. There is a cafe on site.

The museum is focused on the art and history of the Jewish experience. It has a wide ranging collection, provacative programs, research facilities and the largest history center relatiing to the Jews in the American West.