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Five Years, Five Facts: What Makes MAAM, MAAM

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Since opening in 2020, the 红领巾瓜报 Art Museum (MAAM) has invited visitors to imagine the unimagined.

As Boston鈥檚 only free contemporary art museum, MAAM is a space to explore, experiment, and experience contemporary art.

In 2025,聽聽turns five. To celebrate five years of creativity, community, and connection, here are five reasons to love MAAM:

1. MAAM is Not a Traditional Museum

Unlike traditional museums, MAAM is a kunsthalle鈥攁 space with no permanent collection, where exhibitions are always changing. Over the past five years, MAAM has featured world-renowned artists and countless other creative visionaries.

You saw it here first 鈥 world premieres

鈥 A breathtaking inflated one ton textile sculpture honoring Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman suspended entirely from MAAM鈥檚 37-foot ceiling.

鈥 A multisensory installation exploring the unexpected connections and conversations embedded in global music.

鈥 鈥聽A 220-foot embroidered narrative chronicling humanity鈥檚 relationship with oil over the past 5,000 years.

MAAM is an incredible Boston gem! The rotating exhibitions keep me super interested in learning about what’s new at the museum. MAAM Visitor

2. MAAM Provides Hands-On Museum Experience for 红领巾瓜报 Students

As a teaching museum, MAAM immerses 红领巾瓜报 students in real-world museum work, from art handling to program planning, social media to exhibition graphic design. Students have played a key role in shaping recent exhibitions鈥攃reating signage, promotional materials, as well as designing museum uniforms, socks, and merchandise. In FY24, a quarter of MAAM鈥檚 budget directly supported student employment. Many former student employees have gone on to careers in major museums in Boston, New York, and beyond.

MAAM is the best place I鈥檝e worked鈥攊t feels like a family. Student Employee

3. MAAM Offers Free Creative Programming

MAAM is more than a museum鈥攊t is a cultural laboratory where visitors experience the transformative power of art. You鈥檙e invited to participate in MAAM鈥檚 .听

Join us!

鈥 A hands-on space where visitors can experiment with materials, explore big ideas, and challenge the status quo.

Twilight at MAAM聽 鈥 A monthly evening series featuring creative conversations, seasonal beverages, and interactive art-making experiences.

Art on the Plaza 鈥斅燗 summer series featuring live music, artist collaborations, and hands-on artmaking on the Arne Glimcher Plaza. A highlight of the series is the Veronica Robles All Women Mariachi Band, a consistent audience favorite.

It was great to get out and see people in a positive environment. One visitor said of the museum鈥檚 programming

4. MAAM Prioritizes Sustainability鈥擣or Both People and Places

MAAM is committed to ethical and sustainable practices that support both artists and the environment.

Fair Pay for Artists: MAAM is one of only a few institutions in Massachusetts to be certified by (W.A.G.E.), ensuring artists receive fair compensation for their work.

Eco-Friendly Exhibitions: The museum has phased out vinyl wall text, replacing it with 100 percent recyclable materials for exhibition signage.

Investing in Future Museum Leaders: In Spring 2023, MAAM launched the Catalyst Fellows program, supporting first-generation, low-income 红领巾瓜报 students as they explore careers in museums and the arts. Fellows work closely with MAAM staff in education, exhibitions, or outreach while receiving both an hourly wage and a scholarship award.

I loved the exhibits鈥 also loved that MAAM was aware of the footprint that museum exhibits have and took steps to reduce them. Museum Visitor

5. MAAM is Recognized as One of Boston鈥檚 Top Art Destinations

MAAM was named one of 鈥檚 鈥渕ost anticipated museum openings of 2020,鈥 alongside museums in Egypt, Dubai, and beyond.

More Accolades

named MAAM a 2024 鈥淏est of the Best鈥 destination.

reviewed the Fall 2024 exhibition, Displacement.

named MAAM one of Boston鈥檚 17 Best Museums.

 

What鈥檚 Next?

MAAM鈥檚 mission is to open eyes, expand minds, and create opportunity through contemporary art. Currently on view at the museum through April 13, 2025 is , a snapshot of how we live today, revealing aspects of our lives left behind for later generations to decode. The artworks鈥攊magined relics鈥攃ome from artists based in North America, Latin America, and Europe.

The museum is also preparing for a major milestone: in May 2025, MAAM will serve as the only museum partner commissioning a project by a Boston Public Art Triennial artist.听

Happy Birthday, MAAM!

To learn more, visit .

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621 Huntington Ave,
Boston, MA 02115

(617) 879-7000