Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA)
Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA) is a attraction in Bayside, Virginia Beach, best for art lovers, rainy days, a culture break from the beach.
Virginia MOCA is the region's contemporary art museum, and in April 2026 it opened a brand-new building on the Virginia Wesleyan University campus off Wesleyan Drive — so older directions pointing to its longtime Parks Avenue home near the Oceanfront are now out of date. The inaugural exhibitions in the new space lean into monumental works and immersive installations, alongside a show of artists who double as designers shaping contemporary visual culture. Admission is free for Virginia residents, which makes it one of the best-value indoor stops in the city, and its rotating exhibition model means there is genuinely something different on the walls every few months. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Amenities
- Rotating contemporary exhibitions
- Free admission for Virginia residents
Know Before You Go
- Best for: art lovers, rainy days, a culture break from the beach
- Parking: On the Virginia Wesleyan University campus off Wesleyan Drive.
- Accessibility: Newly constructed 2026 building; the museum lists accessibility information under the Visit section of its official site.
- Dogs: not allowed
- Location: 5811 Wesleyan Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, Virginia Beach, VA
Last verified 2026-07-10.
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