We believe that the power of art presents unique opportunities for people from all walks of life to meet, explore, and have a new conversation together. We see these encounters every day in our galleries, programs, and events and feel that our community grows stronger each time this happens. Our mission is to bring people together and inspire creativity through the power of art. North Carolina's second oldest museum, HMA was established in 1944 when visionary founding Director, Paul Whitener, declared, “I am going to make Hickory, NC an art center.” Today, more than 75 years later, our collection of regional and national American art, including our unique Southern folk art installation, speaks to our commitment to providing exposure to the visual arts, free of charge, to learners of all backgrounds and ages. From ground-breaking exhibitions to education programs that encourage everyone to experience the creative process, there’s always something new to discover at HMA. With this in mind, we invite you to visit and hope that you will return again and again.
