About Us

Visitor Information

Museum exhibitions and most education programs at MMoCA are free to the public. For a complete calendar of events, along with museum hours, parking and directions, photography restrictions, and other useful information and policies, please review our complete guide to planning your visit.

Mission & Vision

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is an independent organization that exhibits, collects, and preserves modern and contemporary art to provide transformative experiences that educate, reflect, and inspire us as individuals and a community.

MMoCA will be a vibrant organization that will foster the exchange of ideas and create experiences that will inspire a wide audience; a nexus for the work of emerging and established artists, welcoming compelling new work, presenting this and existing work in a dynamic and extraordinary space; a catalyst for the continued development of a vigorous community of artists; a forum that will encourage people to be challenged by, reflect on, and make connections between art and the world around them.

Land Acknowledgement

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art respectfully acknowledges that our building is built on the traditional land of the Ho-Chunk Nation. We honor the Ho-Chunk Nation, whose people have lived and continue to live here, and we celebrate their enduring impact. As a museum of the visual arts, MMoCA continues to respect the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) | Mission & Vision

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible Museum that serves our communities by providing a welcoming space for everyone. 

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art strives to overcome barriers to art by providing a welcoming environment for everyone by respecting and embracing all communities including those with varying backgrounds, across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, class, and people with different cognitive or physical abilities; acknowledging that Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) work is an ongoing process that touches on everything that we do; recognizing that there is always room for improvement and that the strategies will evolve in response to the communities served; and committing to expanded outreach to communities who historically have not felt reflected, welcome, or comfortable in a museum or arts environment.

History & Building

Following 105 years of presenting exhibitions and education programs in borrowed and refurbished spaces, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art opened to the public on April 23, 2006, in a brand new facility connected to Overture Center for the Arts.

Designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli, the Museum’s exhilarating facility offers 51,500 square feet of interior space, as well as the 7,100-square-foot Rooftop Sculpture Garden. Public amenities include spacious galleries, a 230-seat lecture hall, a children’s classroom, a new-media gallery, and a study center for drawings, prints, and photographs. The facility was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of W. Jerome Frautschi, a long-time friend of the Museum.

Board and Staff

From curators to educators to Museum attendants, it takes a dedicated team of passionate and hardworking people to continually provide the best art and experiences to our community. We welcome your interest in knowing more about MMoCA staff and our board of trustees, as well as exploring positions currently available at the Museum.

Internships

MMoCA’s internship program offers students first-hand professional experience in a museum setting. Spanning the duration of one semester, the academic year, or summer, interns have the opportunity to work in various departments, which could include: development, education, graphic design, public relations, special events, and more.

Private Events

Imagine your wedding, networking reception, business presentation, or next special event in one of the Midwest’s most iconic buildings. The Museum’s striking spaces are available for corporate and individual clients, offering access to world-class exhibitions, stunning views, and more. Discounted rates are available for Museum members and non-profit groups.

Newsletter & Publications

Throughout the year, MMoCA publishes newsletters and program guides with in-depth information about our current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as events, educational opportunities, news, and more exciting ways you can become involved with the Museum. Scroll down to subscribe to future newsletters or continue to explore them here.

Appraisal & Conservation

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is not permitted to provide appraisal or conservation services, but we are glad to provide the following resources to help you connect with a qualified appraiser or conservator in your area.

Gifts of Artwork

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art houses over 6,000 art objects in its permanent collection. New artworks are selectively added to expand and enhance the Museum’s collection. To have a gift of an artwork considered, please email [email protected]. This will make sure that your question is directed to the right team. Please, no phone calls or in-person visits. Due to the volume of messages, not all emails will receive a response.