The MCA, founded in 1996, has five galleries that display a wide range of contemporary art. Three of the spaces are reserved for art education purposes, while the others host special projects and commissioned works, and a live art and lecture hall. The regularly rotating exhibitions mean that new works are always being put on display.
The museum has exhibited the work of some of the art world’s most important living figures, including the British artists Damien Hirst and Chris Ofili, and architect David Adjaye, who also designed its celebrated building. Past exhibitions have touched on a variety of subjects in different media. The MCA has shown a group show of prints titled Shark’s Ink, the film City Light by Chinese artist Yang Fudong, and a sculptural installation of Peruvian petticoats by Ana Maria Hernando.
To complement these offerings, the museum features a changing schedule of programs and events. They range from discussions on feminism, to contemporary art education programs, to so-called “tag team” lectures on unrelated subjects.
Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Information
- Public Transportation: Excellent (Buses 10, 28, 32, 44 at the 15th Street and Delgany Street stop are across the street, the 101 Light Rail at Union Station is a 3-minute walk)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., open Friday until 10 p.m. Museum closed Monday
- Tour: Free with the price of admission. Docent-led tours are available Tuesday–Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations are not required
- Admission: $10 general, $5 students and seniors, free for members and children under 6
- Membership: $45 individual, $75 couple or family. Benefits include complimentary admission to exhibitions, one guest pass per visit, invitations to exhibitions and special programs, and a 10% discount at the museum shop.
