The museum's film library holds over 18,000 films and videos, ranging from silent-era cinema to home movies.
BAMPFA's permanent collection features an extensive archive of Hans Hofmann's abstract expressionist paintings.
The building features a 35-foot-tall LED screen facing the street that frequently showcases digital video art.
The structure includes an outdoor cantilevered canopy that provides public seating and shade above the entrance.
The facility houses two state-of-the-art cinemas designed to accommodate both digital and rare film projection formats.
The archives include the complete film production records of the pioneering filmmaker Bruce Baillie.
The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is a premier arts institution at the University of California, Berkeley, featuring a multidisciplinary collection of historical and contemporary works. The current building, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, integrates a massive stainless-steel-clad volume with the historic 1939 UC Berkeley printing plant. The film archive is one of the largest in the United States, focusing on independent, international, and avant-garde cinema. The art galleries hold over 28,000 items, including a significant collection of Ming and Qing dynasty Chinese painting and calligraphy. BAMPFA regularly hosts rotating exhibitions that bridge global contemporary art with specific historical narratives. The facility serves as a research hub for students, faculty, and the public, often incorporating live programming and artist talks.
The dramatic, reflective stainless-steel exterior curve contrasting with the historic brick facade of the former printing plant.
Check the film calendar before arriving, as cinema screenings require separate tickets and often sell out.
Utilize the museum's study centers to view specific items from the collection by making an appointment in advance.
Browse the museum store, which focuses on independent art journals and rare exhibition catalogs.
Do not mistake the current Center Street building for the museum's former brutalist location on Bancroft Way.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
No food or drink in galleries; photography for personal use is permitted without flash, but strictly prohibited in cinema screenings.
