Koch Institute Public Galleries

The Koch Institute Public Galleries were established to connect the community in Kendall Square and beyond with fascinating work being done at the cutting edge of cancer research. Within the Galleries, visitors can explore current cancer research projects, examine striking biomedical images, hear personal reflections on cancer and cancer research and investigate the historical, geographical and scientific contexts out of which the Koch Institute emerged. The Galleries also play host to a wide range of programming, including public events and youth outreach programs.  

The Galleries are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding MIT holidays. Visitors may also explore selected exhibits via captions and QR codes printed on the Main Street-facing windows of the Koch Institute building. Contact us at kigalleries@mit.edu to arrange a tour for your group.

People looking at KI Image Award winners in the West Gallery

The Koch Institute Public Galleries comprise the Philip Alden Russell (1914) East Gallery, established with generous support from Charles B. and Ann Johnson, and the West Gallery, where the Koch Institute celebrates the life and legacy of faculty member Angelika Amon, who died in 2020 from ovarian cancer.

Current Exhibit Displays

  • Object Lessons: Celebrating 50 Years of Cancer Research at MIT exploring the history of the MIT Center for Cancer Research and the Koch Institute through 10 artifacts from faculty laboratories
  • Koch Institute Image Awards Exhibition (signature display) featuring the winners of the annual Image Awards competition
  • Discovery Science (visual display) reflecting on the deep biological underpinnings of cancer research at MIT
  • News and Views (video display) highlighting the latest work and happenings in the Koch Institute community
  • A Convergent Moment (mural) showcasing the parallel histories of MIT science and engineering that led to the creation of the Koch Institute
  • High-Tech Neighborhood (mosaic) examining the Koch Institute’s place at the interface of MIT academic life and the biomedical landscape of Kendall Square
  • Signals (mural) illustrating the vast network of interconnectedness that underlies the evolution of cancer cells
  • Eureka (sculpture) celebrating the experience of an idea and the legacy of Robert A. Swanson

For questions about the Koch Institute Public Galleries or to arrange a tour for your group, contact kigalleries@mit.edu.

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