Where Awful Art Reigns Supreme – A Look Inside the Museum of Bad Art

The Museum of Bad Art, or MOBA as it’s affectionately called, is a unique institution dedicated to celebrating art that’s, well, bad. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, MOBA boasts a collection of over 500 artworks that are so terrible, they’re strangely wonderful.

The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) wasn’t founded by a group of art critics or academics with a disdain for modern art. It all began in 1994 with a single piece: a truly awful painting discovered at a thrift store by a couple, Marcia and Robert Malaise. This quirky discovery sparked a passion for finding other terrible works of art, and MOBA was born.

MOBA started out as a collection displayed in their home, but it quickly gained popularity. Friends and family who saw the collection were amused by the hilariously bad art, and word spread. By 2001, MOBA had grown so much it needed a dedicated space, and the first official Museum of Bad Art opened its doors in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Since then, MOBA has continued to grow and evolve. They now have a permanent collection of over 500 bad art pieces, host traveling exhibits, and have inspired similar museums around the world.

In the Museum of Bad Art, you’ll find a collection of artworks that are intentionally bad, or in the museum’s words, “art too bad to be ignored.” Here’s what you can expect to see:

• Arresting Awfulness: Paintings with awkward anatomy, nonsensical compositions, or questionable color choices. Basically, art that makes you wonder what the artist was thinking!
• Varied Awesomeness (of Badness): The museum boasts a diverse collection with sculptures, drawings, and crafts alongside the bad paintings.
• The Gift of Laughs: MOBA’s curators don’t shy away from humor. The museum descriptions accompanying the works are known for being witty and poking fun at the art, adding to the entertainment value.

While the art itself might be bad, MOBA offers a surprisingly thought-provoking experience. It makes you question the definition of good and bad art, and challenges traditional ideas about artistic value.

According to MOBA’s FAQ section [FAQ Museum of Bad Art], admission is always free. MOBA relies on voluntary contributions and sales of merchandise to support the museum. So, while you don’t need to pay to get in, you can definitely show your appreciation through a donation or by purchasing a quirky souvenir from their gift shop.

The Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) is open every day [Museum Of Bad Art location]! Here’s a breakdown of their opening hours:

• They open at 11:30 am every day.
• Closing times vary depending on the day of the week:
  • Sunday & Monday: Closes at 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday – Thursday: Closes at 10:00 pm
  • Friday & Saturday: Closes at 11:00 pm

Keep in mind: There’s also an age restriction on Friday and Saturday nights after 6:00 pm. No one under 21 is admitted during this time.

There are several ways to get to the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Boston, Massachusetts. MOBA is located inside the Dorchester Brewing Company. Here are a few options:

• By car: If you are driving, you can use Google Maps or another navigation app to find directions. There is a free parking lot on-site.
• By public transportation: The MBTA Commuter Rail Fairmount Line stops at the Dedham Corporate Center station, which is about a 1-mile walk from the museum. You can also take the 34E bus from Forest Hills to Dedham Square, and then transfer to the 347 bus to Endicott Street (Dedham Mall). The museum is a short walk from the bus stop.

MoBA maintains a playful perspective on conventional artistic expectations, yet it stays committed to its role in public education. The museum offers various events like workshops, talks, and film screenings to build bridges with the local community and foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse world of painting. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or simply seeking a fun and quirky experience. This unique approach is clearly a success, as MoBA’s popularity continues to rise and garners increasing media attention. In fact, The Times magazine even recognized the museum as one of the top 50 galleries globally in 2014.