Arts Listings

Access to culture shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, or even an ear. Many Bay Area museums follow the enlightened practice of waiving admission for one day every month—sometimes more often. And a handful are always free.  

First, take a look soon at Berkeley’s on-the-street Addison Street Window Gallery, always free and on view any time, day or night, from the sidewalk at 2018 Addison Street, between Shattuck and Milvia. Until August 25, there’s a special exhibit, “Art for Humanity,” organized by Evelyn Glaubman of Berkeley City College with city college alumni, featuring paintings inspired by the U.N.’s Millenium Development Goals.  

Some others: 

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive: First Thursday of the month, including 5:30 p.m. PFA screening; always free to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Berkeley Historical Society History Center: (permanent and rotating exhibits on local history) Free every day. Thursday through Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. 848-0181, www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc. 

Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology: Free every day; docent tours $5 adults, $2 children. Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sunday 12 pm-4 p.m. 102 Kroeber Hall (corner of Bancroft and College). (510) 642-3682, hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu. 

Oakland Museum of California: Second Sunday of the month. Fee required for special exhibits. 100 Oak St., Oakland. 238-2200, www.museumca.org. 

Mills College Art Museum: Free every day, hours vary, closed Monday. 5000 MacArthur Boulevard, Oakland. 430-2164, 

www.mills.edu/campus_life/art_museum. 

Richmond Museum of History: Free every day, Wednesday through Sunday, 1-4 p.m. 400 Nevin Ave., Richmond. 235-7387, www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org. 

Golden State Model Railroad Museum: Free Saturday and Sunday noon-5 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (open April-December; trains run Sunday only). 900-A Dornan Drive, Point Richmond. 234-4484, www.gsmrm.org. 

Alameda Museum: Free every day (donations encouraged). Wednesday-Sunday, hours vary. 2324 Alameda Ave. near Park Street, Alameda. 521-1233, www.alamedamuseum.org. 

Hayward Area Historical Society Downtown Museum: Free every day. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. 22701 Main St., Hayward. 581-0223, www.haywardareahistory.org/downtownmuseum.asp. 

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: First Tuesday of the month, 11 a.m.-5:45 p.m. after Labor Day. 151 Third St. between Mission and Howard, San Francisco. (415)357-4000, www.sfmoma.org. 

California Academy of Sciences: First Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 875 Howard St. between Fourth and Fifth, San Francisco. 321-8000, www.calacademy.org. 

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco: First Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 200 Larkin Street between Fulton and McAllister, San Francisco. (415)581-3500, www.asianart.org. 

De Young Museum: First Tuesday of the month. Fee required for special exhibits. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, www.thinker.org/deyoung. 

Legion of Honor: First Tuesday of the month.Fee required for special exhibits. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 863-3330, www.thinker.org/legion. 

Exploratorium: First Wednesday of the month (reservations required for groups of 10 or more), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco. (415) 561-0399, www.exploratorium.edu.