VISIT¬

GALLERIES OPEN

Thursday
10:00 AM–8:00 PM-

Friday–Sunday
10:00 AM–4:00 PM

GALLERIES CLOSED

Monday–Wednesday

*We ask that all visitors come at least 45 minutes before the galleries close.

We're big believers that contemporary art is for everyone, so we try to make sure that everyone can make the most of their visit. Here are a few guidelines for you to help us keep the art safe.

LEAVE THE SNACKS BEHIND
Food and drinks aren’t allowed in the galleries. Our Visitor Experience team will gladly hold on to your lunch bags or water bottles while you visit the galleries. And need some recommendations for a pre or post-visit bite or drink? Check out what the ViBe District has to offer.

VISIT LIGHT
Even an accidental bump can be a big deal for an artwork. So, to keep the art protected, we can’t allow large bags, bulky items, umbrellas, or backpacks inside the galleries. Small back purses may be slung on your side or carried in front. Strollers are welcome with items carefully stowed under or in the carriage.

TAKE PHOTOS
A big yes to capturing all the memories you’d like for your personal use. Just without flash, tripods, or selfie sticks, please.

ENJOY THAT FAMILY TIME
We love hosting future artists and art lovers. Adults, just be sure to stay with kids under 12, and be mindful of where those excited little hands and legs go.

JOIN THE "NO TOUCH" CHALLENGE
We get the temptation. But unless a piece is clearly marked as interactive, please give it and the walls or pedestals around it some space so that we can preserve it for many more to enjoy.

We strive to make the art experience welcoming to everyone and accessible in many forms.

DIFFICULTY STANDING?
We have portable gallery chairs you can carry with you—they weigh less than 2 pounds! The Museum is also wheelchair accessible. A couple non-motorized wheelchairs are available for loan on a first-come-first-served basis.

TROUBLE NAVIGATING STAIRS?
There are no stairs required to visit any of the artwork in the Museum.

VISION IMPAIRMENT?
Audio tours are available for every exhibition and feature a large selection of the works.

SENSORY NEEDS?
In partnership with Kulture City, we have sensory bags available for loan at the Welcome Desk. The bags are filled with items that can help lessen sensory overload and also engage.

ON A BUDGET?
Thanks to the generous support from community friends, the Museum is free of charge.

Drop-in Tours

These tours feature an in-depth and interactive look at a selection of works from the exhibitions. Simply check in at the welcome desk before the scheduled start time.

DROP-IN TOUR HOURS:
Thursdays and Fridays at 2:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 PM

Group Tours

Our Group Tours use a selection of works from our current exhibitions to foster close observation, critical thinking, and rich discussions that support learning standards through an inquiry-based approach. Tours are led by a Virginia MOCA educator and can be designed for all age levels. They are available as both virtual and in-person experiences and are free of cost.

CONTENT WARNING
Kara Walker: Cut the to Quick is currently on view. Among the most prolific artists of her generation, Kara Walker is best recognized for her investigation of racism, gender and violence through cut-paper silhouetted figures. Using mythology and historical narratives, Walker’s work encourages viewers to take a critical view of the past while proposing questions about the challenges we continue to face collectively today. Some artworks in the exhibition include explicit scenes of sex and violence. For this reason, group tours of this exhibition are recommended for visitors ages 14 and above.

Art Making Workshops are also available to in-person tour groups. This opportunity lets students respond to the concepts in LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish through a creative, hands-on activity. This experience is led by a Virginia MOCA educator. The cost is $4 per student.

In-Person tours are offered Thursday and Friday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
REQUEST IN-PERSON TOUR

Virtual tours are offered Tuesday–Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
REQUEST VIRTUAL TOUR

Audio Tours

As an ever-changing museum, Virginia MOCA relies on the unique perspectives and talents of exhibiting artists and community members to further our shared understanding of contemporary art. We invited artists, curators, and community voices to share insight into our current exhibitions Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick and LaToya M. Hobbs: Flourish.

Accessible through your internet-connected personal device, the audio tours are available in both English and Spanish. To listen, scan the QR code on gallery labels or access here on our website.

KARA WALKER AUDIO TOUR
LISTEN HERE →
ESCUCHA AQUI →

LATOYA M. HOBBS AUDIO TOUR
LISTEN HERE →
ESCUCHA AQUI →

BLACK ART: IN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHT

Showing in the Virginia MOCA Auditorium
Thursday–Sunday
March 8–June 11, 2023

This illuminating documentary spotlights some of the foremost Black visual artists working today including Kara Walker, Theaster Gates, Amy Sherald, and many more. It also features Valerie Cassel Oliver, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, who will give a lecture on Kara Walker at Virginia MOCA on May 11.

Watch Trailer →

Screen times*:

Thursday
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM

Friday–Sunday
10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:15 PM

*Please note that select screen times are subject to change if the auditorium is needed for an educational program or event.