MASS MoCA - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is MASS MoCA? How do I get there? What’s your mailing address/phone number?
A: We are located at 87 Marshall Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. You can find detailed driving directions here. Our mailing address is 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247. Our general information phone number is 413.662.2111; our administrative office phone number is 413.664.4481.

Q: What does MASS MoCA stand for?
A: Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art

Q: Is MASS MoCA handicapped-accessible? Do you have wheelchairs?
A: MASS MoCA is wheelchair-accessible. There is one outdoor exhibit, Visitations, which, because of its placement in an unrenovated portion of the complex, is not readily accessible to wheelchairs (though it is mostly a sound art installation, and it can be heard, if imperfectly, from an accessible platform). We do have wheelchairs, which we suggest you reserve in advance by calling our box office at 413.662.2111. There is ample handicapped parking, and we invite all patrons to drop off visitors near the front door. (The site is very large, and the distances—by most museum measures—are great.)

Q: Does MASS MoCA show work by local artists?
A: MASS MoCA has included the work of regional artists in its exhibitions, including works by Jenny Holzer (Hoosick Falls, NY), Michael Oatman (Troy, NY), Michael Glier (Hoosic Falls, NY), Mark Taylor (Williamstown, MA), Kathy High (Troy, NY), Laylah Ali (Williamstown, MA), Jane South (Williamstown, MA) Gregory Crewdson (Lee, MA), Danny O (North Adams, MA), Jarvis Rockwell (North Adams, MA), Roger Davis (Florida, MA), Peggy Diggs (Williamstown, MA), and Spencer Finch (Jacksonville, VT). We do not, however, have a particular “program” designed specifically for regional artists. Many other local galleries do this already, and we do not want to compete with them.

Q: How can I submit my work for consideration by your curator?
A: MASS MoCA’s Curatorial Department welcomes submissions from artists. While all materials are reviewed, a response can take several months due to the volume of submissions and limited staff resources. Please be patient in the meantime and do not call regarding the status of your review. Please follow these criteria to insure the proper consideration and handling of your materials.

Q: How can I submit my work for consideration by your performing arts department?
A: The performing arts department accepts submissions of work samples on a revolving basis. We will contact you if we feel your project is appropriate for a future performing arts season. Please do not call regarding the status of your materials. Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to return materials to you.

You may send your materials to:
MASS MoCA Performing Arts
ATTN: Programming
1040 MASS MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247

Q: I’m a student doing a project/paper on how MASS MoCA was transformed from a factory to a museum. Can I meet with someone on your staff?
A: We have been inundated with requests for information, so we published a book called MASS MoCA: From Mill to Museum The book is currently out of print, but there are usually used copies available on-line from major booksellers. We have a small staff and it is impossible to meet with all the researchers who request interviews. You should be able to find a great deal of information about MASS MoCA on our website.

Q: Does MASS MoCA ever offer free admission to its galleries?
A: Unfortunately, as an institution with a large physical plant and no endowment, MASS MoCA must rely on admission revenue to cover the most basic operating expenses. Occasionally we identify a corporate sponsor for a day, but this is not a regularly scheduled event. When we do have free admission we promote it through the local press. There are passes available at most Berkshire County libraries—the local North Adams Public Library has quite a few—which can be checked out for complimentary admission to MASS MoCA’s galleries. Groups are eligible for discounted admission by calling the marketing department at 413.664.4481 ext. 8111.

Q: I don’t have a car. Can I take public transportation to MASS MoCA?
A: You may take Amtrak (or fly) from New York City to Albany, where you can rent a car (Albany is a one-hour drive from North Adams). There is one Amtrak train a day from Boston to Pittsfield. While there is no car rental agency at the Pittsfield train station, you can call a cab for the 30 minute ride to North Adams. Bonanza Bus Lines (800.556.3815) services Williamstown (from both Boston and NYC), which is a 10-minute cab ride to MASS MoCA.

Q: Who is your Director? Curator? Public Relations/Marketing Director? Development Director?
A: MASS MoCA’s staff includes Joseph Thompson (Director); Susan Cross (Curator); Denise Markonish (Curator); Rachel Chanoff (Curator of Performing Arts), Laurie Cearley (Associate Curator of Performing Arts), Sue Killam (Managing Director of Performing Arts); Katherine Myers (Director of Marketing and Public Relations); and Jennifer Trainer Thompson (Director of Development).

Q: Where can I stay overnight in the area?
A: There are five hotels in North Adams. The Porches (413.664.0400) and Holiday Inn (413.663.6500) are within two blocks. Jae’s Inn (413.664.0100), Blackinton Manor (413.663.5795) and the Redwood Motel (413.664.4351) are within a short drive. There are many other hotels in neighboring towns, a listing that is searchable by town is available from the Berkshire Visitor’s Bureau at 800.237.5747 or www.berkshires.org

Q: Can you recommend a restaurant?
There are two excellent restaurants on the MASS MoCA campus:

Lickety Split, our café (413.663.3372), serves breakfast and lunch daily with ice cream, coffees, espresso, and fresh-squeezed lemonade plus light fare for dinner on show nights. Open during museum hours and before, during, and after performing arts events.

Café Latino, a full service restaurant and bar on the MASS MoCA campus featuring the warm flavors of Latin America. Serving lunch + dinner. Call for days of operation. Reservations welcome. Phone 413.662.2004.

There is a wide variety of restaurants in the area from elegant, renovated Victorians to funky cafés and bars, to great ethnic spots, to coffee shops. The Transcript publishes a map guide to the area which includes some restaurant listings. We would be happy to send you one, or pick one up in our lobby. Briefly, within walking distance are , The Freightyard Pub, Taylors Fine Dining , Richmond Grille at the Holiday Inn, The Hub, The Alley, Cup and Saucer, Red Sauce, Brew Ha Ha, and Gramercy Bistro and . Within a short drive is Elf Parlor, Boston Seafood Restaurant and Isabella's. A variety of pizza and fast food restaurants are also downtown.

See a list of North Adams' restaurants at the Berkshire Visitor Bureau website (click on Where to Dine).

Q: Can I take photographs in the galleries?
A: There is no photography allowed in the galleries at the current time. Depending on the exhibitions photography is sometimes permitted.

Q: When does the _______ exhibition come down? (or go up?)
A: We try to post exhibition opening and closing dates on our website and to keep them updated, but if you are coming to MASS MoCA to see a particular exhibition you should call the box office at 413.662.2111 to check on the show’s exact opening and closing dates.

Q: Does MASS MoCA rent space for weddings and other parties?
A: Yes, the galleries are available for rent on a limited basis. Events cannot begin until one hour after the museum closes. For rates and additional information, see Special Event Rentals. As a rule, we do not rent space on evenings when we have a performing arts event so there are usually no Friday/Saturday rentals available in July and August. We rent space only for private functions and do not rent space for fund-raising events of other organizations.