The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life has a fifty year history of presenting exhibitions that break new ground in Judaica connoisseurship, introduce under-recognized Jewish artists of the 20th century, and take risks with experimental projects by contemporary artists. Many exhibitions have drawn on selections from the Magnes collections, or commissioned works that use the collections as inspiration.

The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life is preparing to move its collections, exhibitions, and programs out of the current facility in the residential Berkeley neighborhood into a new building in downtown, near UC Berkeley campus. The new facility will open in the Fall of 2011. Until then, the Magnes will remain closed to the public and researchers. 

Check the calendar for upcoming exhibitions and programs co-presented by The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life at The Bancroft Library of the University of California, and with other organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area starting in September 2010.