Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center is one of the Bay Area’s hidden gems. And it’s always free to the public.
By StoryStudio on July 5, 2023
Home to many scenic destinations and culturally important institutions, the Bay Area has so much to offer both locals and visitors. Among the main attractions is the Cantor Arts Center, a wide-ranging museum featuring contemporary and historic art housed on the lawns of the Stanford University campus. Open Wednesday through Sunday and always free to both students and the public, Cantor reflects the best of the Bay Area ethos to welcome all who wish to explore beauty with an open mind and curious spirit. “The recently installed ceramic face masks by Ruth Asawa are a personal and public favorite,” says museum director and Bay Area native Veronica Roberts, noting the institution as one of the premier “spaces for learning and discovery on the Peninsula.”
For a humorous and profound look at the thrilling yet awkward adolescent years, you’ll want to check out Kenneth Tam’s 12-minute video installation, “All of M.” Centering on high school prom, the film examines the theatrics and vulnerabilities of navigating teenage masculinity. Naming Tam as one of the most exciting contemporary artists working today, Roberts notes that he doesn’t use trained actors in his videos, opting instead to find people on Craigslist or Reddit. “The video is warm, funny, and sometimes very awkward, just like prom,” Roberts says.
A new acquisition for the museum, the video is part of the Cantor Art Center’s ongoing commitment to Asian American artists. This important initiative is exemplified in one of the museum’s most popular installations, “The Faces of Ruth Asawa.” The installation features 233 masks crafted by Asawa over 30 years, during which she created a visual archive of the people she interacted with throughout her life, drawing rich and unexpected connections.
In addition to offering free admission always, free parking is offered on weekends. Before or after enjoying the collection and grounds, you’ll want to grab a bite at Tootsie’s, the Italian-inspired café offering delicious paninis, coffees, pastries, and more. And don’t forget to browse contemporary and modern art at the Anderson Collection, also free and right next door to Cantor. Calling it a “gem of a museum,” Roberts says any visitor to Cantor would be remiss if they didn’t stop by the Anderson as well. Highlights include paintings by Agnes Martin, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock, among many others.
As summer settles in, the desire for deeper contemplation and relaxation beckons. With so much to connect with and enjoy at the Cantor Arts Center, now is the time to revel in this rich cultural experience right at your fingertips. Gather your friends and family and plan your trip today to get the most out of the season and current exhibitions.
SPONSORED BY CANTOR ARTS CENTER
Several exhibitions are now on view at Cantor during the summer season. In the largest exhibition space is “Reality Makes Them Dream: American Photography, 1929–1941.” Drawn from a vast collection gifted to the museum in 2019, the show features over 100 photographs by American icons and lesser-known photographers. From tiny photos to big, beautiful wall enlargements, the exhibition depicts a new narrative of American life against the backdrop of the Great Depression until the Second World War. “It puts something familiar in a new context. It’s about shaking up what you think ’30s photography is all about and bringing you a fresh look at it,” says Josie Johnson, curator of the exhibition.
Also on view is a smaller yet equally immersive photography show titled “A Change of Scenery: Photographs of Leisure in the Landscape.” The exhibition features 55 American 19th- and 20th-century photographs exploring the power of the great outdoors. Inspired by the pandemic lockdowns, this exhibition offers a compelling look at what it means to seek recreation and belonging in the great outdoors. The show “pulls together some really fascinating threads relating to the histories of city and national parks, public pools and beaches, and even summer camps, examining the complex dynamics around access to those spaces,” says Johnson. She notes that all the photographs are from Cantor’s collection, delivering “a great sweep of the collection with this fun, interesting and thought-provoking theme.”
Visiting Cantor provides something for everyone, from exciting new exhibitions to a diverse permanent collection, including the largest collection of Auguste Rodin sculptures outside of Paris. With so much to explore indoors and out, visitors hoping to make a day of it will find plenty of opportunities to both relax and take in a stunning artistic array. There are several ways to engage with the art, including free tours of the Rodin Sculpture Garden, Cantor highlights, and special exhibitions. Roberts emphasizes how digestible and accessible the museum is for visitors: “We’re a great place to even just spend an hour. You could see a lot and have a satisfying experience.” Even on days when the museum is closed, visitors have access to the Rodin sculptures and other works installed on nearby grounds, including a terrific installation by Andy Goldsworthy and new sculptures by Beverly Pepper.
We’re a great place to even just spend an hour. You could see a lot and have a satisfying experience.”
-Veronica Roberts, director
