Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA): A Local’s Guide to Atlanta’s Contemporary Art Hub

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) is one of Atlanta’s most focused spaces for discovering work by living artists who have ties to Georgia. If you’re interested in modern art, creative community, or just looking for a thoughtful thing to do in Atlanta, MOCA GA is worth knowing well.

Where MOCA GA Is and How to Get There

Location:
MOCA GA – Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
75 Bennett Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 367-8700

MOCA GA is in the Bennett Street arts district, just off Peachtree Road in Buckhead, a short drive from Midtown and Brookwood.

Getting There

• By car:

  • Easy access from Peachtree Rd NE and I-75/I-85 via the Brookwood split.
  • Bennett Street is a side street off Peachtree; look for signs directing you into the arts and gallery complex.

• Parking:

  • There is typically surface lot parking along Bennett Street and in the surrounding complex.
  • Availability can tighten during evening events or openings, so arriving a bit early helps.

• By MARTA:

  • Nearest rail stops are usually Arts Center Station or Lenox Station, then a short rideshare or bus ride.
  • Several Peachtree corridor bus routes run nearby; check current MARTA maps and schedules before you go.

What Makes MOCA GA Different from Other Atlanta Museums

Atlanta has several major museums, but MOCA GA is highly focused:

• Specialty: Contemporary art with a Georgia connection (artists born in, based in, or significantly tied to the state).
• Scale: Smaller and more intimate than large institutions, with exhibits that often feel personal and easy to take in during a single visit.
• Mission: Preserve, show, and support the work of Georgia’s contemporary artists, including through an extensive permanent collection and archives.

This focus means that if you live in Atlanta, MOCA GA can help you see how much contemporary art is being made right here, not just in national art hubs.

What You’ll See Inside: Exhibitions and Collections

Rotating Exhibitions

MOCA GA is known for changing exhibitions that highlight:

• Solo shows by emerging and established Georgia artists
• Group exhibitions organized around a theme, medium, or moment in Georgia art
• Curated shows drawn from MOCA GA’s permanent collection

Because exhibits rotate, the museum can feel very different from visit to visit, which makes it appealing for locals to return multiple times a year.

Permanent Collection & Archives

The museum maintains a growing collection of contemporary works by Georgia artists, which may include:

• Painting and drawing
• Sculpture and installation
• Photography and video art
• Mixed media and new media works

MOCA GA is also known for its archives and documentation of Georgia artists, which can be especially valuable if you’re:

• A student or academic researching local art
• A collector or curator trying to understand the Georgia scene
• An artist interested in how peers in the state have built careers

Access to deeper archival materials may require advance coordination, so it’s wise to call ahead if you have a specific research goal.

Typical Hours, Admission, and Visitor Basics

Museum details can change, so always confirm before you go, but this is a general snapshot of what to expect.

🎟 Tip: If you’re planning multiple art outings in Atlanta, compare MOCA GA’s membership with what you might spend on 2–3 visits plus special events—membership can make sense for locals who return.

Who Will Enjoy MOCA GA the Most?

While anyone can visit, certain groups tend to get the most out of MOCA GA.

Atlanta Residents

If you live in the city or metro area, MOCA GA works well as:

• A repeat-visit museum, since exhibits change regularly
• A way to stay in touch with what Atlanta and Georgia artists are doing right now
• A relatively quiet, reflective environment compared to larger tourist-heavy attractions

Many local visitors use it as a starting point for exploring the Bennett Street and Buckhead arts areas, then continue on to other galleries, coffee shops, or dinner nearby.

Visitors to Atlanta

For visitors, MOCA GA can be:

• A good complement to larger venues like the High Museum of Art
• A chance to see art specific to Georgia, rather than only global or historic collections
• A manageable stop in a larger day exploring Buckhead, Midtown, or the Peachtree corridor

If you’re staying in Buckhead or Midtown, it’s relatively easy to add MOCA GA to your itinerary.

Students and Working Artists

Many art students, educators, and working artists in Atlanta engage with MOCA GA because of:

• Exposure to local professional artists
• Inspiration for current techniques, themes, and materials
• Occasional talks, panels, or programs that are especially relevant to practitioners

If you’re studying at institutions like Georgia State University, SCAD Atlanta, Georgia Tech, Spelman College, or Atlanta-area community colleges, MOCA GA can provide deeper local context beyond classroom assignments.

Programs, Events, and Community Engagement

Programming evolves, but MOCA GA has a reputation for being engaged with the Georgia art community. Depending on the season, you may find:

Exhibition Openings and Artist Talks

• Opening receptions where you can see new shows on their first days and meet other art-interested Atlantans
• Artist talks or panels where featured artists discuss their work, process, and connection to Georgia

These can be especially valuable if you’re trying to better understand contemporary art, not just look at it.

Educational and Community Programs

While offerings vary, common types of programs can include:

• Lectures or conversation series with curators, historians, and artists
• Workshops or professional development opportunities for artists (such as portfolio conversations or discussions on navigating the art world)
• Occasional collaborations with Atlanta schools and universities

If you’re interested in participating rather than just viewing, it’s worth checking what’s on the calendar for the month you plan to visit.

Visiting with Kids or Families

MOCA GA is a contemporary art space first, so it feels more like an adult museum than a children’s discovery center. However:

• Older children and teens who are already interested in art can get a lot out of the visit.
• Content may occasionally include mature themes, as is common in contemporary art, so parents may want to preview exhibits or ask staff what’s currently on view.
• Because the museum is not huge, younger kids who have shorter attention spans may still manage the visit without feeling overwhelmed.

If you want a more hands-on, kid-focused museum experience in Atlanta, you might combine MOCA GA with visits to family-oriented spots such as the Children’s Museum of Atlanta or Fernbank Museum of Natural History on a different day.

Planning Your Visit Around Other Atlanta Activities

Since MOCA GA is located just off Peachtree Road, it’s easy to pair it with other Atlanta “things to do”:

Combine with Other Art Stops

• High Museum of Art (Midtown) – Larger, broader collection including major national and international works.
• SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film – Focused on fashion, design, and film; accessible from central Atlanta.
• Galleries along Peachtree, Midtown, and Westside – Many independent galleries are within a short drive.

You can build a full “art day” in Atlanta by starting at MOCA GA, then heading south toward Midtown or west toward the Westside arts and design district.

Make It Part of a Buckhead/Midtown Day

• Enjoy MOCA GA in the late morning or afternoon.
• Grab lunch or coffee nearby in Buckhead or along Peachtree.
• Continue to shopping areas (such as Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza) or other cultural sites in Midtown.

Practical Tips for a Smooth MOCA GA Visit

Here are some Atlanta-specific pointers to make your visit easier:

• Check current hours before heading out. Hours and days of operation can shift for holidays, installations, or special events.
• Look at the exhibitions list in advance. This helps you decide how long you might want to spend and whether to plan questions for any staff or docents.
• Consider Atlanta traffic. If you’re crossing town, account for rush hour patterns around I-75, I-85, and GA-400; late afternoon weekday traffic can add substantial time.
• Accessibility: If you or someone in your group has mobility needs, call ahead to ask about parking proximity, entrances, and elevator access, so you can plan accordingly.
• Budget for parking and admission. Costs are generally modest compared to large attractions, but it’s helpful to factor them into your Atlanta day plan.

How MOCA GA Fits into Atlanta’s Cultural Landscape

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta who is curious about contemporary art—especially art rooted in the state—MOCA GA fills a unique role:

• It showcases Georgia’s own artists, not just imported work.
• It offers a manageable, focused museum experience that doesn’t require an entire day.
• It connects visitors to the ongoing story of art in Atlanta and across Georgia, which can deepen your understanding of the city beyond its skyline and major attractions.

If you’re building a list of things to do in Atlanta that goes beyond the usual tourist stops, adding the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia is a practical way to see how creative the city—and the state—really is.