VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — WTKR News 3 got a hard hat tour of the new Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, housed on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan University.
“This location here at Virginia Wesleyan University gives us a broader reach, not just throughout Virginia Beach, but also Hampton Roads and the whole state. It kind of puts us in an epicenter," said Alison Byrne, the museum's executive director.
Most people know the museum, commonly referred to as MOCA, as an Oceanfront institution.
“We have a long, rich history at the Oceanfront that goes back to 1956 to the Boardwalk Art Show, which is how we originated.”
But it has outgrown its beachy roots. Thanks to private donations, the new $25 million museum will open in January 2026.
“It’s a natural partnership. You have the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and Virginia’s national liberal arts institution partnering. The winners in all this are aspiring artists and students who are interested in contemporary art,” said President of Virginia Wesleyan University Dr. Scott Miller.
The museum will house one of the largest art classrooms in the region, serving as a hub for art students of all ages.
“We have all kinds of educational programs that we offer year-round to residents, families, and children, including an art camp. Putting us on a campus of an educational institution really amplifies that mission,” said Byrne.
And with the location being right next to Interstate 64, it will be convenient.
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and Virginia Wesleyan University: a match artfully made in heaven and positively Hampton Roads.
