FAQs

Absolutely. You can join during your visit or sign up in advance online.

At MOWA, we do things a little differently. Your entrance fee is actually a low-cost membership that gives you an entire year of access to the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and events. Join or renew prior to your visit for touch-free check-in.

We never nickel-and-dime members, so the answer is a resounding no!

Yes. Think of it as a single-day admission. It will still cost less than single-day admission at most other museums. Better yet, put the membership in the name of someone who would enjoy visiting all year and give it to them as a gift.

We have pioneered a radically unique philosophy of what it means to be a member. When other museums become more like us, then reciprocity might be a possibility.

• Because of MOWA’s pioneering membership model, our fees are already affordably low and are often far less than senior discounts at other major museums.
• University students on group tours pay $7 instead of $15 to become members. Children in school groups are free every day.
• MOWA is proud to support the Annual Blue Star Museums program that allows military personnel and their family free access to museums from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day each year. Learn more at Blue Star Families .
• MOWA also waives member fees for two full days of the annual Art & Chalk Fest held every summer.

There are several super easy ways:

1. Online. Members receive online notifications approximately two months before the membership expiration date. Your digital response saves paper and postage costs.
2. By phone. Call the Membership line at (262) 247-2250.
3. In person. When you visit the member service desk.
4. By mail. Watch for your renewal letter in the mail approximately one month in advance of your membership expiration date.

Your admission fee as low as $15 is actually a low-cost membership that gives you an entire year of access to the museum’s exhibitions, programs, and events. Learn more on our membership page.

Certainly not.

Immediately. Our Member Services Team will hand you a member card when you arrive. Enjoy your visit!

Immediately. Enjoy your visit!

Yes, as a nonprofit organization, MOWA is required by the IRS to provide written disclosure of the fair market value (FMV) of benefits received. The tax-deductible portion of your membership is as follows:

ONE                           $15 Tax Deductible

TWO                          $25 Tax Deductible

CREW                        $50 Tax Deductible

Members Plus           $100 Tax Deductible

Supporter                  $250 Tax Deductible

Partner                       $500 Tax Deductible

Benefactor                 $900 Tax Deductible

Look for QR Codes to access the flowing voices of curators and artists on your smart phone as they talk about the museum’s collections and special exhibitions.

Yes, we love quirky. Give us your wildest and most challenging question (about membership, of course) and we’ll get back to you with the answer. Please email membership@wisconsinart.org or call (262) 247-2250.

No problem. Email or call us and we’ll get one in the mail immediately.

This happens often. You can simply upgrade during your visit when you arrive. Your upgraded membership will expire a year from the date of your upgrade.

Based on the recently revised CDC recommendations as of March 2022, masks are OPTIONAL for all visitors while at MOWA.

To help ensure that safety of our members and staff, we follow current CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health recommendations.

We’ve made the following adjustments to help keep you safe when you visit MOWA.

• Touch-free check-in for all current members and cashless payment systems, if preferred. Renew or join before your visit.
• Encourage face coverings for all at-risk visitors and staff. Disposable masks are available for free if needed.
• Hand sanitizing stations throughout the museum.
• Increased cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day.

Please stay home and get better if you are not feeling well or have come into contact with anyone confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19.

All the artist and artworks on display and in our collections have been made by an artist with deep connections to the state. Some were born in Wisconsin, some moved to Wisconsin and made it their home, while others lived here for a short but important period of their artistic career.

MOWA’s storage facilities are not open to the public. However, curators from other museums and scholars (university faculty or doctoral-level candidates in art history) may request an appointment to view artworks in storage. To make an appointment, send us an email. We evaluate requests according to relevance, need, and the accessibility of the artworks.

MOWA’s archives are not open to the public, but curators, university scholars, graduate students, and collectors may request an appointment by sending us an email. We evaluate requests according to relevance, need, and the accessibility of the documents.

MOWA does not select exhibitions based on unsolicited submissions, and we don’t have a formal process to review these materials. We will not return submitted exhibition proposals.

No. The museum does not appraise or authenticate works of art. However, a list of established appraisers in the Midwest may be obtained by emailing collections@wisconsinart.org. The following organizations may also assist you:

Art Dealers Association of America
American Society of Appraisers
Appraisers Association of America

Exhibitions rotate three to four times yearly and are typically on-view for two to four months. Our curatorial team is committed to presenting compelling work by established and emerging Wisconsin artists—both contemporary and historic. We organize exhibitions two to three years in advance.

Find more information on gifting your beloved artworks here.

As a MOWA member, you can submit your artwork to be exhibited as part of our annual Members’ Show. Our curatorial team plans all other exhibitions two to three years in advance based on a specific theme or topic.

We generally rotate each exhibition space 3 to 4 times per year. Want to know what’s coming next?

Check out our upcoming exhibitions

With other 5000 works of art and growing, we cannot display every piece of art in our collection. We update select pieces in our permanent galleries each year to keep the galleries fresh and give you new artwork to enjoy.

No, not necessarily. The website does not contain the full list of artists represented in the collection. To confirm whether a particular artist has works in the collection, you may email us

No only a small selection of the museum’s holdings is represented in the Collection Highlights. However, we are regularly expanding the number of artworks and artist biographies available online, so we encourage you to return frequently.

Unless otherwise noted, all discounts and promotions are for in-store purchases only.

Fill out an application to be considered.

Returns are accepted in original condition within 14 days of receipt. Returns can be made in store or online. Please send us an email to initiate the return of an online order. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer.

Please allow 7-10 days for shipment.

Online payments can be made by debit card and credit card including Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Please email us or call 262-247-2241 during regular business hours.

If your item arrives damaged, please send us an email to initiate a resolution to the issue. Please do not discard the damaged item, the box it arrived in, or the packing material.

Nearly all merchandise sold within the MOWA Shop is a handmade piece of art that is unique and one-of-a-kind. Each item may vary slightly in appearance.

We have a limited number of wheelchairs available for our visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Request one with the Member Services Team when you check in.

We do not allow outside food and beverages in the museum. We ask that you visit our nearby downtown West Bend restaurants, pubs, and cafés instead. We even offer our members discounts at certain places with our Community Discount Program.

Strollers and front carriers of all types are welcomed and encouraged. Back carriers can unintentionally harm the artwork and are therefore not permitted in the museum.

Yes! Various spaces inside and outside the museum are available to rent for private events. Find more info on our Event Rentals page.

Non-flash photography and videography for personal, non-commercial use is allowed unless signage in exhibitions says otherwise.

All commercial or portrait shoots must be scheduled in advance. Rental and staffing fees may apply.

To learn more, download our photography policy

Certified service animals as defined by the ADA are always welcome. We ask that Emotional Support Animals (ESA) and pets remain at home. ESAs, Comfort Animals, and Therapy Animals that provide comfort do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

The following questions will be asked of each guest with a service dog:

• Is the service dog required because of a disability?
• What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

If the dog is out of control or not housebroken, we will ask the handler to remove the dog from the museum.

You can listen to audio descriptions by using the QR codes next to certain artworks. Just open the camera app on your smart phone and center the QR code on the screen. Your device should recognize the code and provide a link to listen to the audio.

Yes. We love bikers! A rack is located on the east side of the museum—be sure to bring your own lock.

Pencils, sketchbooks, and notebooks are permitted. However, pens, paints, and easels are not allowed.

Yes. MOWA’s galleries, offices, restrooms, and public spaces are all wheelchair accessible.

We provide public coat hooks on the first floor across from the restrooms. The space is unattended so we recommend you keep any valuables with you or in your car.

The museum does not have its own café. We are just a short (seriously, it’s short) walk across the bridge to downtown West Bend where you can find a number of cafés and restaurants for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. As a MOWA member, you’ll even get discounts when you visit restaurants in our Community Discount Program.

Yes. MOWA offers free Wi-Fi through the “MOWA Guest” network. Ask the Member Services Team for the password when you check in.

Yes. You’ll find benches throughout the museum and tables and chairs in the atrium.

Backpacks can unintentionally harm the artwork and are therefore not permitted in the museum. We recommend you keep them in your car.

West Bend and the surrounding Washington County offer a variety of activities. Find things to do

What’s the easiest way to get to MOWA?

From North (Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Appleton)
(From US-41 South)
Take exit 72
Turn left on WI-33 E
Turn right onto Veterans Ave
Museum is on the left

From South (Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha)
(From US-45)
Slight right to stay on US-45 N (follow signs for West Bend)
Take exit 71 Turn right onto W Washington St/WI-33
Turn right onto Veterans Ave
Museum is on the left

From East (Port Washington, Saukville)
(From WI-33)
Follow WI-33 W into West Bend
Turn left onto Veterans Ave
Museum is on the left

From West (Beaver Dam, Horicon, Madison)
(From WI-33)
Follow US-151 Northeast for 40 miles and take exit 132 (from Madison)
Turn right onto WI-33 E
Turn right onto Veterans Ave
Museum is on the left

You can park in the free public lot just south of the museum or on the street along Veterans Avenue. You can even leave your car there while you explore downtown West Bend after your visit with us.

Please note that visitors to MOWA or any of its satellite locations, as well as any of MOWA’s onsite or offsite activities and events may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. Your entry and presence on the premises constitute your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the use of your voice, image, or likeness as it appears in any photograph, film, or audio recording, in any manner, in all media, in perpetuity.

By entering the premises, you waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of you at the event, including, without limitation, any right to inspect or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.

Non-flash photography and videography for personal, non-commercial use is allowed unless specific signage says otherwise. The use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is prohibited.

All commercial or portrait shoots must be scheduled in advance. Rental and staffing fees may apply.

Download our photography policy to learn more

Complete a commercial photography or film request

At MOWA, children are always welcome. The following tips can help make your visit with kids fun for all.
• Stay with your children and share the experience throughout your visit. Hold very young children by the hand.
• Strollers are permitted in most areas. Please wear baby carriers on the front of your body to keep both baby and art safe from accidents.
• Breastfeed and bottle-feed anywhere in the museum. For a private place to nurse, ask at the Member Services Desk.
• Find baby-changing stations in most restrooms.

Enjoy free Wi-Fi during your visit using the MOWA Guest network; the password is available at the Member Services desk. Because the network may not be secure, we recommend that you not view or send sensitive, financial, personal, or proprietary information.