Massachusetts
CLARK ART INSTITUTE
“Photography and Discovery.” The first extensive display of the Clark’s rapidly growing early photography collection, which was begun less than 20 years ago. The focus of the exhibition is on the interest of early photographers in unknown peoples, places, and things. Nov. 12 through Feb 5, Williamstown, 413-458-2303. www.clarkart.edu
HARVARD ART MUSEUMS
“Doris Salcedo: The Materiality of Mourning.” Recent sculptures by the Colombian artist acclaimed for her moving evocations of the trauma and loss of war and political violence. Includes the recently acquired “A Flor de Piel,” a room-size tapestry of thousands of hand-sewn rose petals. Nov. 4 through April 9, Cambridge, 617-495-9400, www.harvardartmuseums.org
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INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
“The Artist’s Museum.” Large-scale installations, photography, film, and videos that use art from the past to suggest new things about the present. Features works by Rachel Harrison, Christian Marclay, Carol Bove, and Rosa Barba, among others. Nov. 16 through March 26, 617-478-3100, www.icaboston.org
MASSACHUSETTS MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
“Nick Cave: Until.” This massive installation – the largest yet by the artist previously celebrated for his “Soundsuits” — is made up of thousands of found objects and beads. The installation, in Mass MoCA’s largest gallery, will be in place for one year; it will be used as a performance space during that period. Through Oct. 15, 2017, North Adams. 413-662-2111, www.massmoca.org
MIT LIST VISUAL ARTS CENTER
“Edgar Arceneaux: Written in Smoke and Fire.” The Los Angeles-based artist uses historical records, sculptural objects, and fictional texts to complicate received ideas about truth, politics, and race. Through Jan. 8, Cambridge, 617-253-4680, listart.mit.edu
MIT MUSEUM
“Gestural Engineering: The Sculpture of Arthur Ganson.” A gallery devoted to the ever-popular maker of poetic kinetic sculptures has been reopened after a major upgrade. Many sculptures have been restored, new controls were added to make it easier to activate the works, and a new display allows viewers to touch some of the work. Cambridge, 617-253-5927, mitmuseum.mit.edu
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MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
“Make Way for Ducklings: The Art of Robert McCloskey.” A retrospective of more than 50 works celebrating the career of the popular and prize-winning creator of, not only “Make Way for Ducklings,” but also “Homer Price,” “Blueberries for Sal,” and many others. Nov. 25 through June 18. 617-267-9300, www.mfa.org
NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM
“Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning.” The first museum exhibition devoted to the animation artists who gave us the Flintstones, the Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo, to name but a few.Nov. 12 through May 29, Stockbridge, 413-298-4100, www.nrm.org
PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM
“Shoes: Pleasure and Pain.” A look at the rich global history of footwear. Featuring 300 pairs, this show, which includes historical examples as well as the latest brands and technologies, was organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Nov. 19 through March 12, Salem, 978-745-9500, www.pem.org
WORCESTER ART MUSEUM
Medieval galleries. Combining highlights from the Higgins Armory collection with the museum’s pre-existing collection of medieval art and objects, these newly installed galleries will feature tomb effigies, religious sculpture, jousting armor, weaponry, jewelry, and a Spanish paneled ceiling from the 15th century. Opens Dec. 17, Worcester, 508-799-4406, www.worcesterart.org
Connecticut
YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
“Yosemite: Exploring the Incomparable Valley.” A look at the famous landscape, now a national park, through the lens of science and art. Made up not only of prints, paintings, and photographs, but also geological and botanical specimens brought back by early scientists, the show includes such masterpieces as Albert Bierstadt’s “Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Trail.” Through Dec. 31, New Haven, 203-432-0600, artgallery.yale.edu
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Maine
BOWDOIN COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART
“Where Do I Go From Here: Snapshots of Twentieth-Century Life.” A selection of vernacular photographs, many of them anonymous, focused on the portrait. They were recently donated to Bowdoin by collector Peter Cohen. Nov. 3 though Jan. 1, Brunswick, 207-725-3275. www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum
CENTER FOR MAINE CONTEMPORARY ART
“Biennial.” An open juried exhibition – the longest-running Maine exhibition of its kind — of work in all different media by contemporary artists from the state. Nov. 5 through Feb. 5, Rockland, 207-701-5005, cmcanow.org
New Hampshire
CURRIER MUSEUM OF ART
“Mount Washington: The Crown of New England.” The first exhibition devoted exclusively to depictions of New England’s tallest peak. Includes prints, photographs, illustrated guidebooks, and paintings by such artists as Thomas Cole, Albert Bierstadt, John Frederick Kensett, Winslow Homer, and George Inness. Through Jan. 16, Manchester, 603-669-6144, www.currier.org
Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN MUSEUM OF ART
“Inventing Impressionism.” Many rarely seen works on paper have been pulled out of storage for this exhibition of items from the RISD collection, by Berthe Morisot, Paul Cezanne, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, and Edouard Manet, among others. Oct. 21 through June 11, Providence, 401-454-6400, www.risdmuseum.org
SHELBURNE MUSEUM
“Papering the Town: Circus Posters in America.” A rare opportunity to see 18 historic circus posters from the late-19th and early-20th centuries, including some of the largest posters in the museum’s renowned collection. Through Jan. 22, Shelburne, 802-985-3346, www.shelburnemuseum.org
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Sebastian Smee can be reached at ssmee@globe.com.