The longest-serving visual arts center in the region, MPA provides a comprehensive array of art programs, most of which are free and open to the public, to 20,000 residents each year. MPA’s galleries and teaching studio provide visitors with professional, museum-quality exhibitions from local contemporary artists. To bring the visual arts to new audiences, MPA eliminates financial barriers, offering free gallery admission, talks, and school tours; free bus transportation for schools that need it; and free offsite professional arts education for seniors and students with disabilities. In partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, its signature ArtReach program combines a field trip to the gallery with hands-on art projects, reaching 2,000 students each year (including many from Title I schools and special needs communities). Everyone should have access to arts education: you can make it happen.

Headquarters: VA-Fairfax County

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Students; Immigrants/Refugees; All

Schools They Work In: Annandale Terrace Elementary School, Annandale; Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts & Sciences, Falls Church; Belvedere Elementary School, Falls Church; Braddock Elementary School, Annandale; Bucknell Elementary School, Alexandria; Camelot Elementary School, Annandale; Dogwood Elementary School, Reston; Garfield Elementary School, Springfield; Glen Forest Elementary School, Falls Church; Graham Road Elementary School, Falls Church; Groveton Elementary School, Alexandria; Halley Elementary School, Fairfax Station; Hutchison Elementary School, Herndon; Hybla Valley Elementary School, Alexandria; London Towne Elementary School, Centreville; Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School, Alexandria; Pine Spring Elementary School, Falls Church; Terraset Elementary School, Reston; Timber Lane Elementary School, Falls Church; Westlawn Elementary School, Falls Church; Weyanoke Elementary School, Alexandria; Woodlawn Elementary School, Alexandria; Woodley Hills Elementary School, Alexandria; Chesterbrook Elementary School; Churchill Road Elementary School; Franklin Sherman Elementary School; Freedom Hill Elementary School; Haycock Elementary School; Kent Gardens Elementary School; Lemon Road Elementary School; Spring Hill Elementary School; Westgate Elementary School; Cooper Middle School; Longfellow Middle School; Langley High School; McLean High School; The Langley School; The Madeira School; Louise Archer Elementary School, Vienna, VA; Olde Creek Elementary School, Fairfax, VA; Kingsbury School High School, Washington, DC; School without Walls High School, Washington, DC

Awards & Recognition

• In August 2017, MPA was selected by Virginians for the Arts and the Dominion Foundation as a 2017 Dominion ArtStars Awards winner in the Regional Shining Star - Northern VA category.
• In May of 2014, MPA received the Fairfax County Public Schools Blue Ribbon Community Partner award (its highest award for nonprofit partners).
• The depth and breadth of our arts education programs was recognized by the Arts Council of Fairfax County with their 2012 award to MPA of the first ever Arts Education Award
• MPA Exhibitions often receive critical review in the Washington Post. Our most recent was February 21, 2020 https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/museums/in-the-galleries-an-artist-conjures-images-from-oceans-to-a-micro-view-of-nature/2020/02/20/73109d32-519c-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html

Press

Budget (FY2013)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for McLean Project for the Arts is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

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