Museum of Northwest Art

The Museum of Northwest Art connects people with the art, diverse cultures and environments of the Northwest. The Museum of Northwest Art enriches lives in our diverse community by fostering essential conversations and encouraging creativity through exhibitions and educational activities that explore the art of the Northwest. The vision of photographer Art Hupy, the Museum of Northwest Art was founded in 1981. MoNA is renowned for the quality and focus of its collection of over 2,400 artworks. MoNA collects and exhibits contemporary art from across the Northwest, including Alaska, British Columbia, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, fostering essential conversations and encouraging creativity. The museum aims to provide a rich experience with thoughtful context and personalized attention for visitors from our diverse community. The museums acclaimed education program, MoNA Link, has served 7.796 students and 144 teachers in the school districts of Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, La Conner, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood-Camano. MoNA Link provides comprehensive art education for students from pre-K to middle school. The outreach program meets the needs of the underserved, including the homeless, youth in juvenile detention, and assisted living residents. MoNA offers free admission and is open seven days a week to ensure access to all. The museum has received the Governors Award for significant contributions to arts and culture, and the facilitys renovations by Henry Klein Partnership Architects received an honor award from the American Institute of Architects.

As the only institution dedicated solely to the presentation of Northwest art for over 35 years, MoNA aims to tell the whole story of Northwest art. The museum presents 10-12 exhibitions annually, drawing on work from across the Northwest. Additional pop-up exhibitions extend the museums reach in the community. Curator Chlo Dye Sherpe presents contemporary exhibitions that further our understanding of Northwest culture and engage with important issues of our time. MoNA is renowned for the quality and focus of its collection of over 2,400 artworks. The museum aims to provide a rich experience with thoughtful context and personalized attention for visitors from our diverse community. MoNAs growing archives contains hundreds of photographs, exhibition materials, and documents related to Northwest artists. MoNA is preparing to make its archives and collections accessible to scholars and the public online. Adult MoNA offers a range of programs to promote creative development through engagement with Northwest art and to create opportunities for community wellness and dialogue. These programs include diverse offerings such as art workshops, yoga classes, talks and panels, and PechaKucha nights featuring presentations by local artists, writers and community members. Our adult programs have increased lifelong learning opportunities for older adults. Outreach Outreach programs increase access to the museum for underserved communities through guided tours and workshops at no cost to participants. New audiences experience art in a safe, inclusive environment, promoting personal expression and shared cultural experiences. Community partnerships expand and deepen relationships, and collaborative programming ensures that community members have a voice. MoNA Link MoNA Link is a partnership between MoNA and local school districts, working to build sustainable capacity in area schools to teach the visual arts. Teachers participating in this two-year program receive 90 hours of professional development training, and their students participate in a year of intensive museum and classroom-based art education. The MoNA Link Program was developed by the museum and the Anacortes and La Conner School Districts in 2003 to help schools meet sstate learning requirements in the arts. Since 2003, MoNA Link has served 7,796 students and 144 teachers in Skagit, Whatcom and Upper Snohomish Counties. Participation in the program is free, and MoNA subsidizes half the cost of transportation. Classrooms participating in the MoNA Link program visit the museum three times each year. During each visit, students participate in a hands-on art lesson, a guided tour with student-centered discussions of current exhibitions, and a writing activity in the galleries. Following each visit, first year teachers work with MoNA staff to develop classroom art lessons linking museum exhibits, visual art and state learning standards. In their second year, teachers are empowered to develop lessons independently. These museum tours and subsequent classroom lessons develop 21st century skills such as critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Family Our family programs offer diverse opportunities for intergenerational learning, shared cultural experiences and hands-on activities. While exact offerings vary by quarter, regularly scheduled programming includes monthly Family Art Days and weekly Early Enrichment pre-school classes. During Early Enrichment parents, caregivers and their children ages 2-4 years participate in a fun morning of art, stories and sensory experiences geared to our youngest visitors. Each session connects to art work and exhibition themes. Family Art Days introduce children and their families to varied media and methods for art making, often related to current exhibitions or community events. These intergenerational workshops are taught by professional artists and art educators, ensuring a high level of quality of instruction. Participation in MoNAs Family Programs is low cost or free to help ensure access to the arts for all members of our community.