Museum of Bad Art
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Matches Dorchester Brewing Company hours: Sunday to Wednesday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM, Thursday to Saturday 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM
- Duration
- 30-45 minutes
- Parking
- There is a small dedicated parking lot at the brewery, as well as limited street parking along Massachusetts Avenue.
- Access
- The brewery and the gallery space are fully wheelchair accessible.
Dedicated to the collection, preservation, and celebration of bad art in all its forms, this quirky gallery showcases pieces too bad to be ignored. Housed inside a local craft brewery, it offers a hilarious look at artistic endeavors gone wonderfully wrong.
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Founded in 1993, the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) has a singular mission: to bring the worst of creative expression to the public. The collection features pieces acquired from thrift stores, garbage bins, and even donations from the artists themselves, all united by their glorious lack of technical skill or bizarre concepts.
Now located inside the Dorchester Brewing Company, visitors can browse the curated gallery of spectacularly awful paintings and sculptures while enjoying a local craft beer. Each piece is accompanied by a witty, mock-serious written analysis that explains the art's unique flaws and charm, making for an incredibly entertaining self-guided tour.
Ratings
museum◆ Visitor Tips
- ◆ Grab a draft beer, cider, or soda from the taproom to enjoy while you browse the gallery.
- ◆ Take your time to read the interpretive plaques next to each piece; the written descriptions are half the fun.
- ◆ Check the brewery's event calendar beforehand, as the gallery space is occasionally closed for private events.
- ◆ Visit the gift shop online or ask staff about purchasing unique MOBA merchandise to support their mission.
Heads Up
- ◆ The art is genuinely, intentionally bad—do not expect masterpiece-level classical works.
- ◆ Because it is located within a popular brewery, the environment can get quite loud and crowded during weekend peak hours.
Common questions
Where exactly is the Museum of Bad Art located now?
The museum is located inside the Dorchester Brewing Company taproom at 1250 Massachusetts Avenue in Boston. It moved to this location in 2022 after previously operating out of basements in Dedham and Somerville.
Do you have to pay admission to see the Museum of Bad Art?
No, admission to the gallery is free. While there is no entry fee, visitors are encouraged to purchase a beer, drink, or food from the hosting brewery.
Can children visit the Museum of Bad Art?
Yes, children are welcome to view the art, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Because the gallery is located inside a working brewery taproom, the environment is geared toward adults, particularly in the evenings.