our history

About Us

smash at MoCA Westport

2019: A Museum of Contemporary Art is Born

The Westport Arts Center, which has been a cornerstone of the Westport Arts Community for 50 years, has undergone a significant expansion in order to bring even more rich and diverse programming to Westport.

 

Now at 19 Newtown Turnpike in Westport, exhibitions and performances from visual arts to classical music are featured year round at the newly named MoCA Westport to inspire art enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. In addition, a unique education program, The Academy at MoCA Westport, provides a diverse range of art classes for all ages.

2002: WAC Builds A Gallery On The River

With substantial support from its Board of Directors, the Arts Center moved into a 3600 square foot gallery space on Riverside Avenue.

smash at MoCA Westport
smash at MoCA Westport

1986: Name Changed to Westport Arts Center

The Arts Center moves to a space at Morningside Drive South and Boston Post Road, which offered gallery and performance space as well as studio space for member artists.
1969: Westport-Weston Arts Council Incorporated
The Council was formed “to sponsor and encourage cultural and educational activities in the creative and performing arts in the towns of Westport, Weston, and the surrounding areas. 
the academy moca westport
smash at MoCA Westport

1934: Westport’s First Official Arts Organization

The town appropriated $3,000 (the equivalent of $60,000 today) to form Westport’s first official arts organization.

As Early As 1929: Several Major Newspapers Report That

Westport was “the home of the most distinctive community in the world.”

the academy moca westport
smash at MoCA Westport

2019: A Museum of Contemporary Art is Born

The Westport Arts Center, which has been a cornerstone of the Westport Arts Community for 50 years, has undergone a significant expansion in order to bring even more rich and diverse programming to Westport.

 

Now at 19 Newtown Turnpike in Westport, exhibitions and performances from visual arts to classical music are featured year round at the newly named MoCA Westport to inspire art enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. In addition, a unique education program, The Academy @MoCA Westport, provides semi-private instruction weekly to allow students to discover their own interpretations of the current gallery exhibitions.

smash at MoCA Westport

2002: WAC Builds A Gallery On The River

With substantial support from its Board of Directors, the Arts Center moved into a 3600 square foot gallery space on Riverside Avenue.

smash at MoCA Westport

1986: Name Changed to Westport Arts Center

The Arts Center moves to a space at Morningside Drive South and Boston Post Road, which offered gallery and performance space as well as studio space for member artists.

smash at MoCA Westport
1969: Westport-Weston Arts Council Incorporated

The Council was formed “to sponsor and encourage cultural and educational activities in the creative and performing arts in the towns of Westport, Weston, and the surrounding areas. 
smash at MoCA Westport

1934: Westport’s First Official Arts Organization

The town appropriated $3,000 (the equivalent of $60,000 today) to form Westport’s first official arts organization.
smash at MoCA Westport

As Early As 1929: Several Major Newspapers Report That

Westport was “the home of the most distinctive community in the world.”

MoCA Westport is a destination for contemporary visual arts exhibitions, music performances, and comprehensive arts education. Our mission is to build a deeper understanding of, and passion for, the arts by presenting thought-provoking and relevant arts experiences. By sharing a diversity of genres and perspectives, MoCA Westport strives to positively impact the community, and to connect and captivate the local, national, and international audience that we serve.

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