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Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Name: Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 211 State St, Madison, WI, 53703, US
Telephone: +16082570158

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Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Contemporary art museum on State Street. Free admission. More info at www.mmoca.org.

ses, the collection has grown to become an important community resource. Works span the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and include paintings, sculpture, photography, prints, and drawings. Romare Bearden, Deborah Butterfield, John Steuart Curry, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Cindy Sherman are among the many esteemed artists represented in the collection. EXHIBITIONS

Exhibitions are the cornerstone of MMoCA's public programs and have featured many of the most respected artists of the last century, including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Sol LeWitt, George Segal, Jim Dine, Rodney Graham, Georgia O'Keeffe, Claes Oldenburg, Ursula von Rydingsvard, and John Wilde. The main galleries, located on the second floor, host the Museum's major exhibitions. The Henry Street Gallery presents exhibitions from the Museum's permanent collection while the State Street Gallery offers a changing roster of exhibitions and installations. MMoCA's rooftop sculpture garden presents major works on a rotating basis in an illuminated garden setting. EDUCATION

MMoCA's education department organizes lectures, films, panel discussions, docent-led tours, and children's art classes, as well as outreach programs like Art on Tour, Art Cart, and ArtZone. The education department also undertakes special projects like the online exhibition Modern Art/Contemporary Art/MMoCA Collects. MEMBERSHIP

MMoCA members provide critical support for the Museum's exhibitions and education programs. Members receive free or discounted admission to Museum events; opportunities to meet artists and curators; a subscription to the Museum's newsletter; and a tax deduction for contributions. MUSEUM RESTAURANT

MMoCA is excited for the possibilities a new restaurant will bring, and anticipate that a new restaurant will be in place in 2022. Follow us on social media to be the among the first to know more about the new rooftop restaurant. MUSEUM RENTALS

The Museum restaurant, lobby, lecture hall, and rooftop sculpture garden are available for special occasions.

01/10/2025

The countdown is on, see it before it’s gone!

January 12 is your last chance to see Shilpa Gupta, “I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt”. This exhibition features the artists interactive works exploring themes of language, identity, and the ways information shapes societal behavior.

🗓️ Now – January 12, 2025 (This Sunday!)
📍 The Shop, State Street Gallery, Imprint Gallery
🎟️ Free Admission

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Installation view of "Shilpa Gupta: I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt" at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024. Curated by Ruth Estévez. Coproduced by Amant and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Photographed by Pete Olsen.

01/09/2025

Need some tattoo inspo for the new year?

Exploring the intersection of bold color and graphic design, “False Image Decal” by Philip Hanson is a striking example of Chicago Imagism.

This piece is created with color silkscreen on off-white woven paper. It’s a double-sided decal, printed by the Chicago Decal Company from stencils cut by Roger Brown. The original drawings, done by Hanson, are reminiscent of traditional American tattoos with symbols such as skulls and snakes.

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Philip Hanson, “False Image Decal”, 1969. Color silkscreen on off-white wove paper; double-sided decal printed from stencils cut, 9 1/2 x 6 ¼ inches. The Bill McClain Collection of Chicago Imagism, Collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. © Philip Hanson.

01/07/2025

The story behind the piece awaits! 🎨

Halataikwa, home of the Enawenê-nawê, tells a story of resilience and loss. Once thriving with fish, their river now suffers from hydroelectric dams. Despite the challenges, their connection to the land endures.

Visit the Museum to explore this piece and more.

🗓️ Now – February 16, 2025
📍 Main Galleries
🎟️ Free Admission

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Richard Mosse, "Aldeia Enawenê-nawê, Mato Grosso", 2020. archival pigment print, 105 x 59 inches. © Richard Mosse. Artwork courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

01/06/2025

It’s time to showcase your work at one of the most anticipated events of the year! 🎪🖼️

Applications are still being accepted for the 67th Annual Art Fair on the Square.

Join over 400 artists from across the country to display and sell your creations around the Wisconsin State Capitol this summer. Apply today to take advantage of the early bird discount!

Learn more and apply at mmoca.org/artfair

Image courtesy of Joshua Abraham

01/03/2025

Hurry before it is too late!

January 5 is your last chance to see “Line to Form: Richard Hunt’s Prints and Sculpture”.

This exhibition explores the evolution of Richard Hunt’s artistic vision using two bronze sculptures and prints from MMoCA’s permanent collection.

🗓️ Now – January 5, 2025 (This Sunday!)
📍 Henry Street Gallery
🎟️ Free Admission

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Installation view of “Line to Form: Richard Hunt's Prints and Sculpture,” Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024.

01/02/2025

Your event is a masterpiece and it belongs in a museum!

Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, the Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Lobby, and Lecture Hall provide exceptional settings to make your event truly memorable.

MMoCA members and non-profits can enjoy special discounts.

Explore more and reserve your date now at: mmoca.org/about-us/private-events.

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Image Courtesy of Tara Draper.

01/01/2025

Happy New Year!

Visitors like you made 2024 special! Thank you for coming to our events and exploring our exhibitions!

Curious what is happening at the museum in 2025? Check out all of our events at mmoca.org/events

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Images courtesy of Dynae Alice Photography, Shalicia Johnson Arrowstar Photography, Pete Olsen, Joshua Abraham, Mariah Moneda, Leif Huron.

12/31/2024

2025 is right around the corner!

Today is your last chance to donate to MMoCA in 2024. Financial support from people like you makes yoga, movie screenings, lectures, and free admission possible.

Donate today to help sustain the Museum and secure its place for future generations.

Give now at mmoca.org/donate.

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12/27/2024

Take this quiz to find out which exhibition to explore first! There’s no wrong answer since everyone wins with a trip to the Museum.

Got mostly As? Check out Shilpa Gupta: “I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt”. Gupta explores the invisible structures of control in society.

Mostly Bs? Visit “Broken Spectre" by Richard Mosse, which highlights the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

Mostly Cs? Don’t miss “Line to Form: Richard Hunt’s Prints and Sculpture”, showcasing Hunt’s prints and sculptures across his career.

Afterward, be sure to explore your match and the other exhibitions!

Learn more at: mmoca.org/plan-your-visit

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Installation view of "Shilpa Gupta: I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt" at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024. Curated by Ruth Estévez. Coproduced by Amant and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Photographed by Pete Olsen.

Installation view of “Broken Spectre” at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024. Image courtesy of MMoCA.

Installation view of “Line to Form: Richard Hunt's Prints and Sculpture,” Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024. Photo courtesy of Mariah Moneda.

12/26/2024

Dive deeper into 'Broken Spectre' at MMoCA.

“Abandoned Oil Plant Infrastructure, San Janito, Block 192” shows an overgrown, abandoned oil plant in Peru and tells a story of lasting damage. Rusted pipes stretch for thousands of kilometers. They leak oil into the rainforest and Indigenous Territories, poisoning entire communities and the forest itself.

Yet, Richard Mosse creates a stunning image that highlights this harm, resulting in a hauntingly beautiful final piece.

Come see this work and more in person at the Museum.

🗓️ Now – January 5, 2025
📍 Henry Street Gallery
🎟️ Free Admission

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Richard Mosse, "Abandoned Oil Plant Infrastructure, San Janito, Block 192", 2022. C-print, 40 x 99 inches. © Richard Mosse. Artwork courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

12/25/2024

Happy holidays from MMoCA!

We hope you are finding time to rest and be with those you care about. The Museum is closed today but will be open for the rest of the holiday season.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle and experience the joy of art with us!

Holiday Hours:
Wed • 12/25 • CLOSED
Thu • 12/26 • 12–9 PM
Fri • 12/27 • 12–6 PM
Sat • 12/28 • 10 AM – 6 PM
Sun • 12/29 • 12–6 PM

Mon • 12/30 • 12–6 PM
Tue • 12/31 • 12–6 PM
Wed • 01/01 • CLOSED

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12/24/2024

Silent night, endless fun! 🛷❄️

Santos Zingale’s “Triangle Inn No. 1” shows two children playing in the snow. One sits on a sled while the other pulls them up a hill under a dark sky.

The streets are empty, the buildings are dark, and there are no adults in sight. Perhaps the kids have snuck off for a late-night adventure. The quiet, snowy scene adds a sense of mystery and excitement to their playful moment.

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Santos Zingale, “Triangle Inn No.1”, 1942. Oil on canvas, 30 x 39 ½ inches. Museum Purchase, Collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. © Santos Zingale Estate.

12/23/2024

🚨 Now Hiring 🚨

We’re hiring a full-time Director of Curatorial Affairs. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the Museum’s integrated exhibitions and educational initiatives, public programs, and exhibition curation.

Apply to help create impactful, inclusive art experiences.

Learn more at: mmoca.org/employment

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Image courtesy of Shalicia Johnson Arrowstar Photography.

12/20/2024

Missing spring flowers and hearing the birds?

On January 24, MMoCA presents “Bird and Blossom”, a new permanent collection exhibition celebrating Japanese woodblock prints.

Featuring prints donated in 1968 by Madisonians Rudolph and Louise Langer, this show dives into both the rich tradition of Japanese printmaking and the history of prints at our Museum.

Learn more at: mmoca.org/events/birdandblossom

📆 January 24–April 6, 2025
📍 Henry Street Gallery
🎟️ Free Admission

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Shoson Ohara, Flycatchers in Snow, 1929. Woodblock, 14 1/4 x 9 ½ inches. Gift of Louise Langer, Collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

12/19/2024

What did people do before the internet?

Arthur Tess's "Boy in Trash Can, Brooklyn, 1968" captures two kids finding ways to entertain themselves in a field. One rides a tricycle, while the other, with a sense of playful absurdity, wears a dented trash can on his head. Both seem a little confused with the situation.

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Arthur Tess, Boy in Trash Can, Brooklyn, 1968. Gelatin silver print, 15 x 15 ¼ inches. Museum purchase, Collection of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. © Arthur Tess

12/18/2024

We have a treat for you this holiday season! 🎀

MMoCA is open extra days and extra hours this month and the Museum is packed full of amazing art. Bring your friends and family from out of town and bond over the exhibitions, or escape for a silent moment by yourself as you wander the galleries.

As a treat for our staff, the Museum is closed on December 24, 25, and January 1.

Plan your visit at: mmoca.org/plan-your-visit

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12/16/2024

Did you know more people visit MMoCA this time of year, than any other?

Here are some answers to common questions that will make your trip as smooth as possible. We hope to see you soon!

For more information, check out: mmoca.org/plan-your-visit

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12/13/2024

Today is the last day to have your donation doubled!

This week only, all donations to MMoCA will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Erica Fox Gehrig and Mark Gehrig, up to $10,000.

MMoCA depends on the generosity of people like you to keep the museum free and accessible.

We are so close to meeting this match, but still need a few more generous donations to fulfill this goal. Make a donation before the end of the day to double the difference your donation makes.

Act now at mmoca.org/donate.

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Address

211 State St
Madison, WI
53703

Opening Hours

Thursday	12pm - 9pm
Friday	12pm - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm
Sunday	12pm - 6pm

Telephone

+16082570158

Website

http://mmoca.org/

Alerts

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Videos

Last chance for teen artists! The application deadline for MMoCA's exhibition, "Green over Grey: The Art of Adaptation," is this weekend, December 15. If you know a teen whose artwork explores how nature adapts to human influence, tell them to submit their work. They just need to include a brief artist statement with images of their work on our website. 🚨 Deadline: December 15th 🔗 Apply now at mmoca.org/teenforum – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #teenforum #callforartists

Today is the last day to have your donation doubled! This week only, all donations to MMoCA will be matched, dollar for dollar, by Erica Fox Gehrig and Mark Gehrig, up to $10,000. MMoCA depends on the generosity of people like you to keep the museum free and accessible. We are so close to meeting this match, but still need a few more generous donations to fulfill this goal. Make a donation before the end of the day to double the difference your donation makes. Act now at mmoca.org/donate. – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #donate #localnonprofit

Give a gift that lasts! Help MMoCA grow this holiday season. Your donation to MMoCA makes a real impact in keeping the museum a hub of creativity for our community. Supporting field trips for students, funding artist lectures and Teen Forum stipends. Your generosity helps sustain and grow our programs. Every contribution, big or small, ensures MMoCA remains a vital resource for Madison. Make a difference today at mmoca.org/donate. – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #SupportTheArts #CommunityImpact #givingtuesday Images courtesy of Mariah Moneda. Images courtesy of Shalicia Johnson ArrowStar Photography Images courtesy of MMoCA

Looking for something to do over this long holiday weekend? Come see all of the phenomenal exhibitions at MMoCA! Richard Mosse's “Broken Spectre” illuminates the devastation of the Amazon rainforest, uncovering the hidden connections between what is visible and what remains unseen. “Line to Form: Richard Hunt’s Prints and Sculpture" explores the artistic legacy of Richard Hunt. Tracing the evolution of his prints and sculptures throughout his distinguished career. “I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt” centers on an underlying pursuit within Shilpa Gupta’s practice: the invisible structures of control affecting both the individual and the collective. Learn more about these exhibitions at mmoca.org/art – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #holidayseason #shilpagupta #richardhunt #richardmosse

Happy Thanksgiving! This year, we are thankful for the opportunity to share inspiring art, thought-provoking programs, and enriching experiences with everyone who engages with us online and in person. Thank you! The Museum will be closed for the holiday, but we'll reopen tomorrow with all galleries ready to explore. For details on our current exhibitions, please visit mmoca.org/art. #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #happyholidays #thankful

Teens, time to show your talent! 🎨✨ MMoCA’s Teen Forum is organizing an exhibition showcasing teen artists’ work titled “Green over Grey: The Art of Adaptation”. Know a teen in 9th-12th grade (or homeschool equivalent) living in the Dane County area? Let them know this is their chance to showcase their art at MMoCA. All they need to do is submit an image of an artwork they created that fits the theme and an artist statement. 🚨 Deadline: December 15th 🔗 Learn more and apply at mmoca.org/teenforum Send this to a teen who you would love to see in MMoCA. 📩 – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #teenforum

Tired of the same old movie nights? Head to MMoCA Cinema for “Richland”. This 2022 documentary film explores the complicated legacy of the atomic bomb in the small town of Richland, Washington. Built around the Handford nuclear site, the residents of Richland were essential in manufacturing weapons-grade plutonium for the Manhattan Project. Learn more and watch the trailer at: mmoca.org/cinema 🗓️ Wednesday, November 20 ⏰ 7 PM 📍 Lecture Hall 🎟️ Free for Members, $7 for Nonmembers – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #richland #MMoCACinema @RichlandFilm

Art thrives with your support! This year, MMoCA is proud to have offered a wide range of programs, from the Art Cart to concerts, and yoga to lectures. These opportunities are made possible through the generosity of community members like you. Today, we invite you to help ensure that these programs continue to be accessible. Your donation directly supports a vital cultural resource for Madison and beyond. By giving today, you'll help sustain and grow the Museum's impact, ensuring its role in the community for generations to come. Contribute at mmoca.org/donate. – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #nonprofit #donate Images courtesy of Shalicia Johnson/ArrowStar Photography Image courtesy of Dynae Alice Photography Image courtesy of Joshua Abraham

Come with me to MMoCA Cinema

Craving a new movie adventure? MMoCA Cinema offers a unique movie experience inside the Museum. Head straight to the Lecture Hall, settle in, and enjoy a great film in a relaxed, intimate setting. This week's showing is Bridgett M. Davis’ Naked Acts. This narrative film follows Cicely, a young actress navigating her first major role, which includes a nude scene. Learn more at mmoca.org/cinema 📆 Next showing, November 13 🕰️ 7 PM 📍 Lecture Hall 🎟️ Free for Members, $7 for Non-Members – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #MMoCACinema #indiefilms #moviesatthemuseum @gracejungcomedy

Who knew creativity could be so intoxicating? After the Museum closes, head upstairs for an evening of figure drawing guided by Jane Fasse, Senior Adjunct Instructor at Edgewood College. Enjoy a drink as you sketch two body-inclusive nude models. No prior drawing experience is required! Space is limited, so sign up at: mmoca.org/drink-and-draw 🍸 This event is 21+ only 📅 Saturday, November 16 🕰️ 6–8 PM 💵 $20 Members / $25 Non-members – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #drinkanddraw #figuredrawing #artevent

Shilpa Gupta Flag Video

If you could make your own flag, what would it look like? In the piece “Untitled (Flags of the World)”, 2012/2023, Shilpa Gupta disassembles national flags into discrete symbols and blocks of shapes. Like a set of wooden blocks that reminds of a Jenga game, the pieces are grouped together to create new configurations that blur or reimagine the original geopolitical relations. In response to this, the Learning Center in the Museum Lobby, you can create a unique map using felt shapes from national flags around the world. – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #learningcenter #flag #shilpagupta Installation view of "Shilpa Gupta: I did not tell you what I saw, but only what I dreamt" at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 2024. Curated by Ruth Estévez. Coproduced by Amant and Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Photographed by Pete Olsen.

Get ready for a spooktacular afternoon! As part of the Downtown Madison Family Halloween celebration, the Museum will host a fun-filled trick-or-treating event. Stop by for treats and explore art-making and craft techniques inspired by the spirit of the season. 🎃 Wednesday, October 30, 3–6 PM 📍 Museum Lobby 🍬 Free – #MMoCA #MadisonMuseumofContemporaryArt #happyhalloween @visitdowntownmadison

Shortcuts

Our Story

MISSION 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. COLLECTION The museum's collection traces its origins to a major gift from Rudolph and Louise Langer in 1968. Through donations and museum purchases, the collection has grown to become an important community resource. Works span the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and include paintings, sculpture, photography, prints, and drawings. Romare Bearden, Deborah Butterfield, John Steuart Curry, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Cindy Sherman are among the many esteemed artists represented in the collection. EXHIBITIONS Exhibitions are the cornerstone of MMoCA's public programs and have featured many of the most respected artists of the last century, including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Sol LeWitt, George Segal, Jim Dine, Rodney Graham, Georgia O'Keeffe, Claes Oldenburg, Ursula von Rydingsvard, and John Wilde. The main galleries, located on the second floor, host the museum's major exhibitions. The Henry Street Gallery presents exhibitions from the museum's permanent collection while the State Street Gallery offers a changing roster of exhibitions and installations. MMoCA's rooftop sculpture garden presents major works on a rotating basis in an illuminated garden setting. EDUCATION MMoCA's education department organizes lectures, films, panel discussions, docent-led tours, and children's art classes, as well as outreach programs like Art on Tour, Art Cart, and ArtZone. The education department also undertakes special projects like the online exhibition Modern Art/Contemporary Art/MMoCA Collects. MEMBERSHIP MMoCA members provide critical support for the museum's exhibitions and education programs. Members receive free or discounted admission to museum events; discounts at the Museum Store and all Food Fight restaurants, including Fresco; opportunities to meet artists and curators; a subscription to the museum's newsletter; and a tax deduction for contributions. MUSEUM STORE The award-winning Museum Store is accessible directly from State Street and from within the museum. Shoppers will find an extensive selection of contemporary American craft, fine gifts, and jewelry, as well as books, stationery, and children's merchandise. MUSEUM RESTAURANT Good food is truly an art at Fresco, the museum's rooftop restaurant. Fresco features local, seasonal ingredients and contemporary American cuisine. Patrons may choose to dine alongside a glass wall overlooking the sculpture garden or during warm months sit at the garden's edge and enjoy their meal al fresco. MUSEUM RENTALS The Museum restaurant, lobby, lecture hall, and rooftop sculpture garden are available for special occasions.