Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

Modern art museum · Union Station

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

Modern art museum · Union Station

1485 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80202

Highlights

Changing exhibits of modern painting, sculpture & more in an eco-friendly space with a rooftop cafe.

1485 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80202 Get directions

mcadenver.org

@mca_denver

@cntraveler

"This intimate museum located just down the street from Union Station in LoDo punches far above its class with show-stopping modern art exhibits. The boxy structure was designed by acclaimed architect David Adjaye, and the imposing, somewhat hidden entrance (the wall-like door is activated with a motion sensor) can make the museum feel like an insiders-only gem. Inside, however, hidden skylights fill the interior spaces with light and a joyful vibe reminds visitors that art is meant to be enjoyed. As a non-collecting institution, the MCA Denver rotates three to four exhibitions each year with a view time of about two to four months each. This means that you never know quite what you’ll get when you walk in the doors, but that’s part of the fun. The manageable size of the MCA Denver and it’s careful pacing makes it just right for touring; spend an hour or so exploring the exhibitions and the building itself, and you’ll be ready to head to dinner or a light lunch." - Megan Barber, Nicholas DeRenzo

The 17 Best Things to Do in Denver

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@cntraveler

"This intimate museum located just down the street from Union Station in LoDo punches far above its class with its rotating modern art exhibits. You never know quite what you’ll get when you walk in the doors, but that’s part of the fun.The boxy structure was designed by acclaimed architect David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, and the imposing, somewhat hidden entrance—the wall-like door is activated with a motion sensor—can make the museum feel like an insiders-only secret. Another local's secret: The MCA Denver’s rooftop cafe might be the most underrated spot in the city. It’s rarely crowded, boasts city and mountain views, and offers snacks, salads, sandwiches, and coffees throughout the day." - Megan Barber

10 Best Museums in Denver | Condé Nast Traveler

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@eater

"The rooftop cafe, deck, and garden at Denver’s MCA offer lovely views of downtown in a pristine white and cherry-wood setting. Parties can book the cafe alone or the entire sprawling rooftop to fit up to 175 people for a standing cocktail reception. The museum uses Three Tomatoes Catering. Bonus: Art exhibits are open during events for guest perusing." - Josie Sexton

16 Colorado Venues for a Royally Good Wedding and Reception - Eater Denver

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Ashley Sinnorai

Google

Cute little museum with fairly cheap admission ($9 college student, active military) I enjoyed it! There is a cafe on the top floor, though I didn’t get anything, I really liked the atmosphere. My favorite exhibit was the one on the lower floor (Ken Gun Min!). Kind of small and fast to go through, but was a nice experience.

Nightmare Ali

Google

The lowest floor and one main floor exhibit were exceptional. However, everything else was underwhelming. There was also a cool mold piece, where cloth soaked in agar has gradually overtime grown mold in a fascinating way....nature is the true artist here. The tree was beautiful but that's made by nature....kinda odd to be in a museum but gorgeous none the less. Won't be back, but it's fun to experience it once.

its a beer life

Google

We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon. Turned out Saturday was Penny entrance day, so it cost two cents for the both of us. There were three floors of exhibits, and the staff were available to help explain any art we had questions about. There is a nice Café with some great views and nice places to rest. Everything was easily ADA compliant, and the elevators worked.

LS Sheldon

Google

Love this museum! They hooked me with Dirty South and reeled me in for Cowboy. This museum gives airplay for divergent and diverse perspectives with Cowboy and similar exhibitions that feature work from queer, gay, minority and indigenous artists. Thanks for showing us new ideas and ways of seeing our shared world. The signage in the museum is great and the explanations of the art invaluable but maybe the following could be a touch larger? Can’t wait to see what comes next. :)

Aubree Topai

Google

Smaller art gallery with 2 floors and a rooftop bar/patio. The art rotates every quarter (I think) and ranges from beautiful to bizarre. You’ll need only about an hour to walk the entire museum and see everything. Parking nearby is limited.

W Travis Caldwell

Google

This is a hidden gem of Denver...so stay away! 😂 The museum is super accessible, has great events, and a cool view up top!

Jessica Ayala

Google

I loved the experience at this museum, the exhibition is not big but I spent like 1.5 hours on it, it worth !

Cha'vette Ware

Google

The Museum is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic time spending a few hours walking around and immersing myself in the thought-provoking exhibits. The diverse range of contemporary art on display is truly impressive.

Emily B.

Yelp

A Denver gem! Thought provoking collection of art that rotates 2x a year. There is always something new to see. The mixed taste series is a unique evening of cerebral fun. This place is fantastic.

Meredith A.

Yelp

I'm admittedly not much of an art person but I thought this was a cute museum. We came for their free "night at the museum" this past weekend. We went up to the rooftop bar first (review will be separate, on their cafe page) which had some okay views of Denver (rooftop in this case was only 3 stories up, so the views were blocked by some other buildings on a few sides). Inside, the current exhibits dealt mostly with movement, including exercise and dance. Some of the exhibits were interestingly interactive, which I thought was a cool feature I hadn't seen much of before. The museum is fairly small though and we went through it in under 30 minutes. I think it would be a good place to be donation-based rather than admission fees? But overall I had a nice experience. I think there is a parking garage nearby but we ended up finding a street spot 2 blocks away.

Eda X.

Yelp

Museum of Contemporary Art offers three vibrant and lively exhibits that I returned twice to see in person. You should definitely check it out!

Daniel L.

Yelp

I have visited all of the museums in Denver and this was by far my favourite. The workers at the check-in desk/gift shop were extremely friendly and this was a great welcome to the museum from my first steps in the door. This museum is part of the NARM reciprocal admission I have as a director of a museum, but I was travelling without my ID card so I offered to pay but they waived the admission. This is the first museum that has done that since I am a sloppy bear that regularly travels without my director card since the last spot I have in my wallet usually goes to my Dave & Busters Power Card (tm) which to me seems more important to have on my person than my director card, but that may just be me and the lads behind Paddy's Pub who do our best thinking at Dave & Busters. I spent more than the adult admission price in the gift shop on the way out in gratitude (they have really cool stuff in the gift shop so someone actually put some thought into having nice stuff, rather than tourist trap trinkets and other garbage). The rooftop garden is divine and peaceful, the calm you feel whilst up there cannot be overstated. The placards with sufficient information were omnipresent on all of the pieces which really pleased me - more information is always better than less, especially in contemporary spaces. This was how a museum should do it with reading material available if you want it, rather than forcing you to listen to an audiotape yapping at you all day like at the AMWA. My favourite room at MOCA was the LGBTQ+ Nortenos exhibit since it was so powerful taking over a full room with mixed media and a full explanation of what was going on and why. Excellent exhibits, excellent rooftop garden, and excellent vibes all over to make MOCA my favourite museum in Denver.

Jerry O.

Yelp

The current "cowboy" exhibition (running through 2-18-24) breaks the homogenous ideal of the cowboy as a white, American male in lieu of diverse cowboys from many different communities. John Wayne it isn't. Many alternative cowboys it is. You can count on the MCA to bring modern art to its exhibitions.

Heidi L.

Yelp

I can honestly say that art is in the eye of the beholder. The theme was " Movements towards freedom." I literally was able to see all three floors in like 15 minutes. I was not really impressed with any of it, except for the exhibit with the ballet dancers. They were the exception. Beautiful art! Maybe a different theme would have been better to have seen.

Charles L.

Yelp

Great exhibit. Cowboy ... focusing on minority cowboys of yesteryear and in modern times. I learned a lot, met a wonderful local artist Lailani Abeyta (see photo) and really enjoyed my visit.

K P.

Yelp

It was okay, not much art for 3 floors. We were able to see everything in under 30 minutes. Adult admission $12 Student admission $9

John H.

Yelp

ART for thought. There were two artists represented in this small museum with three levels and rooftop cafe/bar. Due to its size it is hit or miss, so preview the exhibitions before visiting. Currently, Hawk's work upturn signifiers and manipulate cultural trophs. I enjoyed seeing her body of mixed media work. If you ever wished to have original artwork in your home join the lottery to borrow work. A cool concept. The museum has a garage across the street.

Makayla D.

Yelp

Closed Early, refused to sell me a ticket or allow entry. I could however visit the gift shop! Who wants to buy anything from a museum they couldn't see. What bad management of a museum. As a visitor to the Denver area, it is very disappointing

Ericka S.

Yelp

Some people really seem to hate this museum with a passion for whatever reason(s). Haha. However, I really liked this museum when I visited Denver briefly a few months back. For context, my interest in MCA Denver was based solely on the Keith Haring Grace House Mural. The various sections of the mural were well placed throughout several exhibition rooms. I thought the accompanying texts were both erudite and informative. The use of photos to complement the pieces of Haring's mural was effective and added another dimension to the presentation. Keith Haring was a childhood idol of mine, so I was really psyched to check this exhibit out. The gift shop was just OK, and the whole thing seemed a bit on the pretentious side. That said, I enjoyed one worker's explanation of the Octopus Initiative and the museum's heart symbol. There was a annoying museum snob working at the café upstairs, lol. But I did enjoy my bottle of lemonade mixed with apple juice.

Crystal F.

Yelp

While visiting Denver, we wanted to find things to do so we ended up visiting the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Upon cheking in, the staff saw our hotel key card when we were about to pay, and told us the admission was free for visitors staying in nearby hotels...YAY. We saw the main exhibit, the dirty south, and enjoyed looking at some artwork on the first and second floor. The 3rd floor exhibit was closed off so we visited the coffee shop instead. Overall a good place to stop by.

John B.

Yelp

I found this place to be architecturally quite pleasant. The amount of art in the space was not as much as I'd expected, with two floors housing a couple of rooms of exhibits, a small basement which was mostly a theater, and an upper level with a great view of the city and a cafe. Notably, admission was free for healthcare professionals (as well as several other groups of people), and I came when my conference session was canceled and wasn't given any great hassle on proving that status. The content of exhibits was very much modern art, with, for example, a soft cast of a tree taking up an entire room, and some cases with dust from moon landings. Were I local, I could imagine a membership being worthwhile for the roof access, which had substantial seating and allows one to peruse the cityscape.

Alisa J.

Yelp

I love this museum. It's a nice change from the art museum and it's nice to come here once in awhile, especially on the free days. I love the rooftop and the meaningful changing exhibits. The heart outside Is pretty cool too. The staff are always friendly and I love their gift shop!

Michelle M.

Yelp

For the $10 admission fee, you get to enjoy a bold, attractive, spacious museum featuring contemporary art in a welcoming setting in Downtown Denver. As an added attraction, the rooftop cafe is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy a drink or some delicious macaroons (the lemon coconut is fantastic) while taking in the city sights. There are plenty of restrooms available to guests and the gift shop is located at the admission desk. I wonder if the Museum is available for special events, because it would be a perfect cocktail party location or for a fundraising event. I only spent about an hour there, but it was time well spent. Don't forget to check out the Octopus Initiative!

Sarah R.

Yelp

Staff was very friendly but I wasn't impressed with the museum. Very small amount of art for how big it actually is. Was expecting more. I would say it is worth the price, though.

Brad B.

Yelp

Complete waste of time and money. If you aren't a fan of the work of the single artist they are currently exhibiting, you will feel fleeced. They honestly need a complete reboot of this entire museum.

Crystal G.

Yelp

When I saw the Keith Haring sticker outside immediately I was like we must go. Been a huge fan of graffiti and B boy's scene and just New York in general ! I knew we would be returning as soon as the museum opened. There's this feeling I get inside of me when looking at someone's art. Especia for artist that I know and love. Sending grateful vibes out to the universe to all the bright people that seen it and realized this is art. It's really cool how they literally cut out pieces of wall to bring to you these art pieces ! Such a great way to spend the time. Upstairs in the rooftop they had a very great sound with bells Art installation it's definitely something to experience .Everybody needs art in their life

D H.

Yelp

Beautiful and interesting museum, friendly staff, fascinating exhibits. A bonus is the elegant and delightful roof area, featuring a cafe and shady small terraced garden, with expansive views of Denver. Bravo for getting LEED Gold certified btw!

Ralphie S.

Yelp

Three floors of gallery space in a unique floor plan that allows room for wall space, open areas and interesting vistas - interior and gazing out into downtown Denver. The three rotating exhibitions on display while I was visiting included a tattoo artist using various media, including lemons to a retrospective of Georgia O'Keeffe and those she inspired. Well worth the $8 admission. Just 2 blocks from the Union Station and 16th Street Mall; you can't miss it with the large rotating dagger through the heart sculpture outside.

Mickele B.

Yelp

You know you're in the right place when you see the artistic heart sign on the outside of the building. The MCA Denver has a reasonable rate of $10 for your entrance fee. This fee gets you access to all of the exhibits, even the temporary installations. We went to Bathing the Room with Blues by Jason Moran which explores the early blues roots of Denver's 5 Points area. There were multiple expressions of how the music affected the region, including music and and of course, blue color. The Deborah Roberts exhibition was very enlightening about our perceptions of expressions and the color of a person's skin. This is a relatively small museum, 90 minutes is a good amount of time to explore it. And the web site has a very cool feature where you can explore past exhibits! Check it out too. Most cool, is that if you are a Denver resident, they have art that you can borrow. Not kidding. The Octopus Initiative is stellar.

Adam L.

Yelp

This place is a refuge. You can escape reality for ten minutes or all day. You choose. The work they display lets you walk in another human's shoes. Or wear their glasses. It expands your world view when you let it affect you. I love their events and mash-ups, too; but just providing an open-hearted oasis in our city is enough to earn 10 stars out of 5 in my book.

Brittney C.

Yelp

I agree with Michael S. review. Although the art we saw there was amazing, why was it so few? I wish we had a little bit more to see. The nail art was my favorite. Feel free to look at my photos as that's about the majority of the visit without the $13 price tag. I did like the upstairs cafe. The views were great and the beer/drink selections were pretty good. My friends and I came for my birthday and we enjoyed the afternoon looks and snacks. I don't know if I will be back again unless it's for a private party. I think the space is excellent for that. But I wonder what the cost would be to rent it for that? Location: Great except for the parking Cost: Not worth the price. They should allow you apply a bit towards a purchase at the rooftop cafe. Gift Shop: Cute but expensive (great hipster gifts) Art: Amazing but need more (see photos)

Sarah A.

Yelp

I really enjoyed my visit to the museum! There were a lot of exhibits that were very up to date inspired by current events that happened this year.

Stefany V.

Yelp

I'm particular about my art museums, my taste trends more contemporary but I really love sculpture. While there is little to no sculpture at the current exhibits featured here, the space is well organized and I really like their Octopus Initiative. Pricing is also fairly reasonable, with discounts for seniors, teachers, students, etc as well as specific discount days. The featured exhibits when we went were for Francesca Woodman and Teresa Hubbard, somehow we missed a floor with the third exhibit. Considering the large and impressive exterior, we found the amount of actual art somewhat limited. The Woodman exhibit was interesting, showcasing both her work and writing, as well as materials from friends and family of and about her. I got the impression that she was a noteworthy local artist but nowhere did it ever spell out why, or what happened to her, other than a young date of death. The Hubbard exhibit was more of a study in the artist's interesting history, rather than featuring much of her work. It was difficult to understand why she was featured. But the exhibits were both well laid out, with interactive aspects, and interesting case studies on local female artists. However, it was odd that there is no permanent collection here and I'm not sure where they'd put it given how they've used the space. The Octopus Initiative area, however, was especially cool. Canvasses commissioned by local artists are available for local Denver metro area residents to "rent" for 10 months at a time to have art in their homes. The display library here is very compact, reminiscent of a records room in a library. I enjoyed this part of the museum the most and wish I were local to be able to take some art home with me. TLDR: Worth a visit, look for discounts first. No permanent collection, so becoming a member to visit seasonally to see the featured exhibits would be awesome. Sign up for Octopus Initiative!

Sonja A.

Yelp

Definitely not your ordinary museum. MCA showcases art from art students, up and coming and veteran artists. Abstracts, photography, pottery, even blacksmithing. Took advantage of penny entry day. The Saber Acomodar exhibit presents unique and creative ideas and objects. The artwork of Cynthia Gutierrez was interesting, stencils by Eduardo Sarabia very fascinating, but my favorite was the metal sculptures by Gotarzar. It's the millennial Barbie, minus the dress up. I am glad to have spent the afternoon here, enjoying the showcases and don't forget to visit the rooftop lounge. The view is amazing and the coffee smells terrific. Parking garage is one block south as street parking is very limited. Try Coohills parking for a better rate $6/day.

Barb N.

Yelp

Hearing about the Tara Donovan Fieldwork exhibit led me to this museum, my first visit. The exhibit did not disappoint-so clever and inventive! The use of simple materials such as index cards, Mylar, straws was amazing. There is a small but interesting gift and bookshop. Large galleries arranged over three floors. I will be interested to learn about future exhibits!

Bruce K.

Yelp

This is a large museum for a contemporary art museum and it's not a collecting one. That means that the exhibits are constantly changing. I enjoyed it thoroughly. As is usual with "contemporary" art, the artist is making a statement of some sort through their art. Most of the time, the statement is something that I completely don't understand. Okay, fine. It's still pretty to look at and maybe if I see enough of it, the statement will sort of leak in to my thoughts. The museum is on a few levels and today, one was closed off in preparation for a new exhibit. But the rooftop is still open and while this isn't the tallest building on this corner, there are still some pretty views of the Denver skyline that you can enjoy with a coffee from their coffee bar.

Werner W.

Yelp

I like this little museum. The changing exhibits can be quite nice. The building's architecture is lovely with a great roof deck and cafe. When I lived in the neighborhood I had a membership and visited quite often. Weekend parking in the garage across the street is a steal at $7 for the day.

Amy W.

Yelp

I visited the MCA recently when they had penny admission day for Colorado residents. I enjoyed the experience. They were featuring works from three different artists, with one level of the museum dedicated to each artist. My favorite exhibit was Arthur Jafa's exhibition, a video entitled "Love is the Message, the Message is Death" which explored black life, history, and media representations. I watched it twice. There was also a seating area outside the room with relevant books and magazines to either preface or follow the viewing experience. I appreciated that the MCA is willing to display art which isn't the traditional medium (i.e., painting or sculpture) that we see in most museums. This museum is smaller than most in Denver, but just as well-curated. You can explore the entire museum without rushing through in about an hour to an hour and a half. They have a cafe on the top level as well as an open-air rooftop with gorgeous views of downtown. Parking is extremely limited and nearly impossible in this area unless you're willing to park in a paid lot. I didn't want to pay and had additional steps to log that day, so I decided to park on Central Street, which has free two-hour street parking. It's west of the highway and about a 15 minute walk from the MCA. I would recommend the MCA to anyone. Just keep an open mind and come ready to appreciate different forms of art.

Amber M.

Yelp

I really enjoyed visiting late on a Friday. The museum was relatively quiet and had some very interesting exhibits. Most rooms I had to myself. They are limiting occupancy into most galleries during COVID which wasn't a problem as it was mostly empty. Check out the Cafe on the roof top! Very chill and a full bar. Relaxing with my spritz after viewing the art was a nice way to cap off the evening. Awesome for a date!

Harriet M.

Yelp

Unless you're a real lover of this kind of art don't waste your money very small museum not very interesting art not much up at the coffee Except a nice view And not much merchandise of any interest in the gift shop

Steven S H C.

Yelp

Free pass? I'm there but unfortunately 1. Parking sucks. Big time. My recommendation is Uber. 2. It's CA... meaning.... 3. I m not a fan of CA and definitely will not be back.

sandy b.

Yelp

I've really enjoyed the different exhibits set up here. Some can be risqué, odd or edgy but only one out of half a dozen did I fly through and not particularly care for the art. I super liked the show on graffiti art from NY / Pa, it was very intriguing and I followed up with a bit of self research. I live out of state but visit a few times a year and I'm so happy to participate at this muse. I very much like the cafe upstairs and the local treats and drinks I can purchase there to fortify me till I'm sated by my views of the current 'Arts'. Be back soon.

Kristi M.

Yelp

A fun rainy day activity. Reasonably priced and a good way to spend a few hours. I really loved the rooftop cafe for a golden root latte. I am glad I stopped by and I will be back when exhibits rotate next. I won't say anything about the art because that would just spoil your experience. Enjoy, friends

Sara M.

Yelp

This museum is small and local with rotating exhibits, not a permanent comprehensive collection of of the history of contemporary art. But it's a great opportunity to see what is currently happening in various media. There was some video art and more tech explorations on the first floor. The entire second floor is currently dedicated to a show by Kim Dickey, an art professor from CU Boulder who is a nationally recognized ceramicist. Full disclosure here, we are affiliated with CU Boulder but have never met this artist or seen her works before. It was just happenstance that we stopped in. And we are certainly glad we did. The show is here for most of the winter and the admission is quite affordable with various sorts of discounts available. Definitely worth spending an hour or so. And if the weather is good, there is a fun roof top deck and cafe, but the day we visited was quite blustery and we were not there at a mealtime. But I will watch their website to see what else they will be showing in the future so I can go back another time. It's great that they are so close to both Union Station and the free Mall Ride, that it is easy to fit in a visit when in the area.

Michael S.

Yelp

Contemporary art is, at its essence, tailored to stimulate questions and expand boundaries of symbolization. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver does that by inspiring a ton of questions including: * That's it? * There must be more? * Really? * No, seriously, just 3 or 4 exhibits? * Soooo, wanna hit the cafe since we're here? The MCA Denver may be my least favorite art museum I've visited in a long time; however, the museum staff were nice. Also, I actually felt some of the exhibitions were compelling, so, this isn't a knock on the 4 artists: * Kristen Hatgi Sink: Honey (my favorite) Series of creative and mesmerizing videos with ... honey & humans * Lisa Oppenheim: Spine Educational and inspirational posture poses * Patrice Renee Washington: Charts, Parts, and Holders Ceramic bas reliefs about food like pork rinds * Derrick Adams: Transmission Colorful interactive commentary on society plus separate displays of household-materials art and a video installation The hollow exhibition spaces on three floors from four artists were a quick tour (with much of that time spent viewing Honey). We were done in 21 minutes before heading to the roof-top MCA Cafe for a beverage and snack. Parking is just $5 on weekends (across the street in a garage). Admission is $8 per person, but kids are free. Later, I read online that Colorado residents (half our party) should of only been a penny each. The admission price isn't the issue with the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver. The problem with MCA Denver is the lack of art.

Amiel C.

Yelp

To be honest, MoCA Denver is a hit or miss. When it's good, it's real good. Some contemporary art pieces are a bit confusing and we walked out not understanding one bit of it. Parking is across the street, entrance could be a little confusing but it's the same as DeVita. Reserve tickets online ahead of time to be safe during COVID.. enjoy a glass of wine at rooftop in the afternoon. Sometimes, it's better to come here than Denver art museum by The Capital building.

Cathy C.

Yelp

I enjoy contemporary art museums and I'll always be an art school nerd. The ability of an artist to evoke thoughts and emotions from viewers as influenced by sociopolitical/economic climate is the very reason why art is so important. MCA Denver is smaller than the other contemporary art museums I've been to and naturally, their collection is rather small as well. However, this museum earned points (or stars) from me for a couple of reasons. I was ready to pay full price for my ticket since I left my school ID at home but they gave me a student discount anyway. Their collections and artists change a lot so, more reason to visit (quarterly or semi-annually). And, they support the youth by offering free admission, and getting them more involved by featuring their own work of art in the museum - in a portion called Failure Lab. It's a green building. So, they're really into supporting the community and the environment - totally rad! You get a pretty good view of the city from the roof top. But beware of wasps!

Scott Z.

Yelp

It's an interesting building, and the rooftop cafe is cute. But as an art museum, it's lacking. Some tips to plan your visit.., Getting there: Street parking is limited to maybe 6 meters on the block. The day I went 4 of them were blocked off by the city. There are condos across the street, but their garages are residents only. You'll probably need to park in the garage down the road. Getting in: The entrance is wheelchair accessible but not marked, and basically hidden. Their website FAQ's include "help I cannot find your entrance." Admission: 1 cent all the time for Colorado residents. Discounts for students, teachers, seniors and military. I think I paid $8 for a regular adult ticket.

Cory D.

Yelp

Loved my experience, would highly recommend it. Especially loved that it expanded my idea of art, as I never thought tattoos would be in an art museum. Four stars only because it was a bit small, and I just can't give it the same stars as I would for say the British Natural History Museum, but was definitely fantastic. $5 for students! They had a few O'Keefe paintings too which was great.

Antoinette P.

Yelp

The MCA is always a source of interesting, thought-provoking, avant-garde art - YMMV depending on whether that's your thing or not. It's not huge, but odds are you'll find at least one collection or piece that will stick with you.

Victoria M.

Yelp

Its a little funky, its a little weird but its a pretty cool spot all the same. I came here on one of the penny Saturdays, yes it was literally only a penny! Thank goodness because I always have a bunch hanging around in my purse! I came about an hour before they closed and they weren't super packed like I thought it was going to be. I love that they have a rotation of their artwork. If you keep up with them on facebook you can find out more. They always seem to host fun events as well. I wish it were a little bigger of a place but its still perfect to spend 1-1.5 hours on a Saturday afternoon.

Linda L.

Yelp

Free on Sundays! Very unique, as it's cascades throughout many floors. Nari Ward's Amazing Grace was amazing and heartfelt. All the art work that is on display was intriguing and captivating. Social distancing is enforced. The young lady that checked us in was very helpful with our questions. Huge perk was the free mask with a donation and or spend $25 in the gift store and get a free mask. The mask are hand made by local artist and packaged with an information card about them. We enjoyed this museum and will go back if we are ever in the area again.

Jonathan S.

Yelp

Absolutely loved this museum. The layout was perfect for spending the appropriate amount of time in each section, and the space for the galleries was well planned for the public. Additionally, the staff were very knowledgeable and were quite helpful. Can't wait to be back for another exhibit!

Sabrina F.

Yelp

A small player but quality over quantity plays a huge factor at this museum. Although there were only 3 active exhibits, I thoroughly enjoyed all 3 -- finding myself reading every excerpt for each featured exhibit. From the mainly video-forward work of Arthur Jafa, to the untraditional violent work of Cleon Peterson, I enjoyed every level of this museum. Plus, at $8/person, it was much more economical than the larger Denver Art Museums. It'll probably take you 30-45 minutes to work through this museum, but you'll enjoy the alternative/non-traditional artist.

Aubreylin S.

Yelp

Very worth checking out. When I went today, admission was free, and very often they only charge a penny. I think this may be one of my favorite museums, especially because they have the cafe and bar upstairs and everyone knows I love sipping a glass of wine while looking at art. I really have loved each and every time I've visited the MCA. I've never disliked any of their exhibits. I really feel that the MCA does a good job of making art accessible. I also went through the whole museum in less than two hours today, which I think was nice. I didn't feel like I needed to spend the whole day there. It was nice to just hit up the MCA and walk around for a little bit before getting lost in Denver. I make it a point to visit the MCA every so often and think you should too.

R. Jonathon J.

Yelp

It is small but hosts some huge pieces. It leaves you wanting more! Everytime I've visited it's packed; but more importantly, it has introduced me to some amazing pieces that inspire. Tara Donovan is an amazing artist using various mundane materials that have an a hidden side that is explored i this exhibit. Kinda like people, we are mundane in our existance but there are those moments of flourishing that propels us into new personal territory that allows us to excel and grow and inspire each other

Megan R.

Yelp

Such a gem! I'm truly so surprised to see so many negative reviews for MCA--I think there might be an expectation that this is going to be a lot like the Denver Art Museum, which it's definitely not. I think the smaller size of this museum complements some of the larger museums we have in town (lookin at you, DAM and DMNS). It's super manageable--you can soak everything in within an hour or two, which is honestly usually all I have the patience for. Admission is only $8 for adults, which is cheaper than going to a movie and lasts just as long. If you think you might go more than two or three times over the course of a year to check out the rotating exhibitions, I would suggest the digital membership. It's $1.95 per month (I spend three times that on matcha lattes) and includes free entry for one adult, discounts to events, and 10% off the cafe and bar. Just bought mine this week! MCA rotates exhibitions every few months and typically has three going at once--I just checked out Wall Writers, Basquiat Before Basquiat, and The Kids Were Alright, each of which I loved. The museum also hosts really cool events for adults and teens--diy classes, talks, and they even had a dance party with The Egyptian Lover last weekend. Be sure to look out for penny admission as well, which they offer for Colorado residents every so often. Also, the cafe! So dreamy. Make sure to head up to the top floor to soak in the views of downtown and maybe grab a bite to eat or a cocktail (pssst! this is a perfect date night spot). My only gripe is the parking. I came here for a meeting once and circled the garage for ten minutes. I paid $16 for two hours, which is double admission to the museum itself. This is pretty much the case anywhere downtown these days, so I suggest grabbing a Lyft or trying to find a meter.

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Ashley Sinnorai

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Nightmare Ali

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its a beer life

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LS Sheldon

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Aubree Topai

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W Travis Caldwell

Google

This is a hidden gem of Denver...so stay away! 😂 The museum is super accessible, has great events, and a cool view up top!

Jessica Ayala

Google

I loved the experience at this museum, the exhibition is not big but I spent like 1.5 hours on it, it worth !

Cha'vette Ware

Google

Emily B.

Yelp

A Denver gem! Thought provoking collection of art that rotates 2x a year. There is always something new to see. The mixed taste series is a unique evening of cerebral fun. This place is fantastic.

Meredith A.

Yelp

Eda X.

Yelp

Museum of Contemporary Art offers three vibrant and lively exhibits that I returned twice to see in person. You should definitely check it out!

Daniel L.

Yelp

Jerry O.

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Heidi L.

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Charles L.

Yelp

Great exhibit. Cowboy ... focusing on minority cowboys of yesteryear and in modern times. I learned a lot, met a wonderful local artist Lailani Abeyta (see photo) and really enjoyed my visit.

K P.

Yelp

It was okay, not much art for 3 floors. We were able to see everything in under 30 minutes. Adult admission $12 Student admission $9

John H.

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Makayla D.

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Ericka S.

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Crystal F.

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John B.

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Alisa J.

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Michelle M.

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Sarah R.

Yelp

Staff was very friendly but I wasn't impressed with the museum. Very small amount of art for how big it actually is. Was expecting more. I would say it is worth the price, though.

Brad B.

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Crystal G.

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D H.

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Ralphie S.

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Mickele B.

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Adam L.

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Brittney C.

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Sarah A.

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I really enjoyed my visit to the museum! There were a lot of exhibits that were very up to date inspired by current events that happened this year.

Stefany V.

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Sonja A.

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Barb N.

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Bruce K.

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Werner W.

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Amy W.

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Amber M.

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Harriet M.

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Steven S H C.

Yelp

Free pass? I'm there but unfortunately 1. Parking sucks. Big time. My recommendation is Uber. 2. It's CA... meaning.... 3. I m not a fan of CA and definitely will not be back.

sandy b.

Yelp

Kristi M.

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Sara M.

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Michael S.

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Amiel C.

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Cathy C.

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Scott Z.

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Cory D.

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Antoinette P.

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Victoria M.

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Linda L.

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Jonathan S.

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Sabrina F.

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Aubreylin S.

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R. Jonathon J.

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Megan R.

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Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

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