Moody + Rice Public Art Programs

Established as a University-wide arts initiative in 2008, the Rice Public Art collection underscores the unconventional approach and creative spirit of scholarly inquiry at Rice University. This world-class collection, which reaches across the entire Rice campus, includes an iconic James Turrell Skyspace, important sculptures by Michael Heizer, Shirazeh Houshiary, Beverly Pepper, Ursula Von Rydingsgard, and Mark di Suvero, a Sol Lewitt wall drawing, and two-dimensional works by Carmen Herrera, Dorothy Hood, Charles Gaines, and Leo Villareal, among many others. Access to the artwork is always free and available to students, visitors, and the general public.

The Moody Center for the Arts facilitates the acquisition, installation, maintenance, and awareness of the Rice Public Art collection. With campus partners, the Moody also identifies opportunities to engage the Rice and Houston communities through these amazing artworks. The summer music series and Skyspace dance performances, commissioned by the Moody, are examples of how these works can inspire artistic collaboration and student involvement.

These permanent works—and the Moody’s temporary public art programs Platform, Off the Wall, and collaboration at the BioScience Research Collaborative-- enliven the shared spaces on campus and signal to visitors that the arts are a critical part of a twenty-first century education.