The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is a private, not-for-profit museum of modern and contemporary art that exists to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret visual art.

Description:
An independent, non-profit museum, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) features exhibitions by local, regional, national, and international artists. MMoCA's permanent collection of more than 5000 works of art is maintained and enlarged through gifts and purchases. The Exhibitions Department organizes or presents approximately twelve exhibitions each year. Mainstays of the museum's Education Department include lectures by noted curators, art scholars, and local and national artists; film and video programs; programs for families; guided tours for students and the general public; school programs and resources for teachers. MMoCA's programs and exhibitions serve more than 100,000 people annually. Another 200,000 attend popular outreach programs such as Art Cart and Art Fair on the Square. The galleries and Museum Store are open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11-5; Thursday and Friday, 11 to 8; Saturday, 10 to 8; and Sunday, noon to 5. Musuem galleries are closed on Monday. Administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5.

History:
In 1901, the Madison Art Association was founded by a small community group in a city of 19,000 inhabitants and 1,800 University of Wisconsin students. The purpose of this non-profit, visual arts organization was to exhibit "the art of our time" and provide for the artistic life of the community. Exhibitions of art by local and regional artists were held in various places around the city, including libraries, churches, and at the university. For 63 years, the Madison Art Association was a voluntary organization with no permanent residence. In 1964, the Art Association hired its first full-time director and moved into Lincoln School, a vacant grade school building designed by Louis Sullivan and located on East Gorham Street. In honor of its new residence, a few members donated a number of works of art and established the permanent collection. A major bequest of approximately 1,300 objects was received in 1968 from Rudolph E. and Louise Langer. A decision was made to focus collecting on modern and contemporary art, based on the Langer's bequest and the early commitment to present "the art of our time." In 1969, the Art Association was reincorporated as the Madison Art Center. After establishing an active exhibition and education program, the Art Center was accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1975. A lengthy reaccreditation process occurs every seven years; the Art Center has been reaccredited at each subsequent review. In 1980, the museum moved to its current location at 211 State Street. In 2003, the Madison Art Center changed its name to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in recognition of its continued growth as an institution and expansion as a resident organization in the Oveture Center for the Arts. In April, 2006, MMoCA opened its new museum facility at 227 State Street.

Contact person: Nicole Allen, director of development, (608) 257-0158, (email)
Office fax number: (608) 257-5722

Address:

227 State Street Madison, WI 53703 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.mmoca.org

Directions:

The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 227 State Street two blocks west of the Capitol building.   Nearest Bus Stop: State and North Fairchild Streets, 2 minute walk

Overall Experience   
Very helpful.

I had a great time volunteering for the Art Fair on the Square this year. I was glad to help out at the concession stand and it was an honor to give relief to the artists, whether they needed their items watched in order to get something else or just giving them a break to enjoy the fair themselves. I gained from this experience the ability on how to help people and ask if they needed it, and that is very beneficial for many other jobs, from reception work or an usher for a concert. I will be happy be to volunteer next year and until then, you have a great and successful year! posted on July 16, 2007