Arts District

Photo: The atrium of The McMurtry Building.
THE MCMURTRY BUILDING, home to the Department of Art and Art History, fosters interaction and collaboration among students and faculty.

Creativity Sparks Learning

A vibrant arts district has taken shape around Stanford’s palm-lined entrance. This creative hub is anchored by two acclaimed museums and an expansive home for the Department of Art and Art History; a premier concert hall and spacious outdoor amphitheater; and by Memorial Auditorium and the Stanford Art Gallery near the Oval, both venues for student showcases. Public art across the campus landscape and building interiors boosts creativity and inspiration.
Generous community support has helped Stanford orchestrate a 21st-century arts renaissance, reasserting the core value of art in a well-rounded education. Students now have more courses and opportunities than ever to study, create, and experience the arts.

Photo: Student walking while looking at "Monument to Change as it Changes" located at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Inspiration Everywhere

More than 85 works of public art, such as the Monument to Change as It Changes at the Graduate School of Business, shown above, grace the campus to inspire creativity and fuel learning. Stanford’s architecture — from the iconic arches of the Main Quad to the modern angles of the McMurtry Building — also serve as environmental inspiration, defining movement, light and space.

An Ovation for the Arts

Photo: Stanford Symphony performance at Bing Concert Hall.

Stanford’s performing arts run the gamut of genres and styles — from classical to avant-garde. Theater, dance and music productions — by students or renowned artists at Bing Concert Hall or across campus at the Nitery Theater — all invite broader community appreciation. Stanford has more than 100 student arts groups and a robust residential arts program.

Photo: Portraits of Leland Jr., Jane and Leland Stanford, are on display in the Stanford Family Gallery.
Acclaimed Museums

The Cantor Arts Center, located to the left, opened in 1894 as the Leland Stanford Junior Museum, a memorial to the young collector. It was rebuilt
twice, after the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes, and its diverse collection spans 5,000 years of art history. Next door, the world-class Anderson Collection of post-WWII American art opened in 2014. Admission to both museums is free.

 

Kiosk 10 location highlighting the Arts District.