MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center Renderings
MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center: Art in the Heart of the Community
MPA’s new Berlage Arts & Education Center is years in the making. This new, permanent and cost-effective space is ideally suited to deliver on MPA’s mission. This second location–in the heart of McLean’s central business district, next to a Metro bus stop, and in walking distance of hundreds of homes–will be a landmark for the arts, giving the McLean community a vibrant place to gather, learn, and connect.
Opening Doors to Innovate
This new art campus in downtown McLean will have a powerful impact on the community, spanning three key programmatic areas:
Noteworthy Exhibitions
Designed to complement MPA’s existing galleries, three new public galleries will enhance MPA’s exhibition capacity, further solidifying its reputation as a premier venue for contemporary art. These additions will expand the region’s gallery offerings, providing a platform for established and emerging artists. The multifunctional MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center galleries will showcase diverse art forms, including digital, light, and installation art. Outdoor spaces will accommodate large-scale sculptures and installations. With these new exhibition spaces alongside MPA’s current galleries, the organization can increase both the number of exhibitions and the variety of art forms presented to the public.
Educational Initiatives
Art education has been central to MPA’s mission from its inception. The MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center is designed with teaching spaces strategically co-located with our exhibition area, fostering collaboration and inspiration among MPA students and the broader community. Working artists will engage in teaching, exhibiting, and creating, fostering community and dialogue around their art. For the first time, MPA will have purpose-built spaces tailored to specific mediums, enabling both new and accomplished artists to produce ceramics on-site. Painting, drawing, and mixed media will continue to be taught in the DuVal Studio at McLean Community Center. This fundraising effort will support the enhancement of existing and new classrooms.
Distinctive Hospitality
Building community involves bringing people together. Through carefully curated public spaces, including a café and a courtyard, MPA’s opportunity for ever-important gatherings and connections further expands. MPA’s signature hospitality, appreciated by artists and members of our community alike, will have a permanent home in the MPA Berlage Arts & Education Center, Café Monett. This flexible space will allow for performances, lectures, and even afternoon teas to bring together art lovers from across the region and beyond.
