Opening September 2, 2026
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Image: Louise Bourgeois by Nancy Lee Katz, 1986. Gift of Michael S. Sachs, 2024.1.17
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What's On at the Magnes
Exhibitions and Public Programs that foster community, learning, and deeper understanding.
The Magnes Collection
The material culture of Jewish life throughout history and across the globe.
Research at the Magnes
Explore the archives, library, exhibitions, and holdings on site and online.
Upcoming Exhibition
SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 – MAY 13, 2027
Nancy Lee Katz: A Private Pantheon
Nancy Lee Katz: A Private Pantheon explores the artist’s decades-long effort to photograph artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers she admired. Between 1986 and 2010, Nancy Lee Katz photographed nearly 200 cultural figures creating a photographic “temple.” Made in studios, workplaces, and other intimate settings, these portraits reveal the interplay between public achievement and private presence. Presented in two parts over the course of a year, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the breadth of Katz’s enduring vision.
Nancy Lee Katz (1947–2018), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 1994, Gelatin silver print, Gift of Michael S. Sachs, 2024.1.51.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Virtual | Community Conversations with Executive Director Hannah Weisman
Jul 15 @ 4:30 pm
Join Executive Director Hannah Weisman and museum staffers virtually for a community conversation about the Magnes.
NEWS
Woven into the Fabric: 250 Years of Jewish Life in America
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life reminds us how deeply Jewish history is woven into the American story. The objects in the collection tell a powerful narrative about the many ways Jewish people, art, and culture helped build the country. They help bring the traditional American motto, E Pluribus Unum (“Out of Many, One”), to life—reflecting a shared history while honoring the distinct cultural differences that shape it.
Latest News
News about the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life. Learn about exhibitions, programs, events, and collection highlights.
Woven into the Fabric: 250 Years of Jewish Life in America
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life reminds us how deeply Jewish history is woven into the American story. The objects in the collection tell a powerful narrative about the many ways Jewish people, art, and...
The Magnes launches Maven, a new digital gateway to global Jewish heritage
The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at the University of California, Berkeley, is proud to announce the launch of Maven, its new, user-friendly online collections catalog. Developed by Terentia, a leader in integrated software for collections management,...
From Punk Rock to Tarot: Exploring Jewish Identity at the 2026 Jewish Arts & Bookfest
The Magnes is still echoing with the excitement of welcoming over 300 attendees, presenters, and volunteers from across the Bay Area to the second annual Jewish Arts & Bookfest! Kicking off Jewish American Heritage Month on May 3, the day was filled with creative...
Monthly Newsletter
The Magnes Collection’s “What’s On” e-newsletter provides up-to-date news about the collection, exhibitions, and programs.
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