Visual Arts

The McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is a nonprofit organization that presents the visual arts program for the community at the McLean Community Center (MCC), thanks to a public/private partnership with MCC and Fairfax County.

The mission of the McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is to exhibit the work of emerging and established artists from the mid-Atlantic region; to promote public awareness and understanding of the concepts of contemporary art; and to offer instruction and education in the visual arts. MPA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded in 1962 by a small group of women artists. It began as a professional space to provide exhibition opportunities for artists and to bring a continuing body of high-quality artwork to the community. In an effort to relocate and develop into a highly professional visual arts organization, MPA was incorporated in 1984 to activate plans for a permanent facility in the community and opened as a visual arts center with the Atrium and Emerson Galleries, in 1990, and the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio, in 2000, all located in the McLean Community Center (MCC).

MPA presents exhibitions of contemporary art and provides education in the visual arts through a program of classes for children and adults, as well as lectures, tours and ArtReach, an outreach program that brings school children and other groups to the gallery for educational programs. MPA is a Museum Partner of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

How to Visit the MPA Galleries

The MPA Emerson Gallery will be open for viewing Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Viewing will be limited to six visitors at a time to provide social distancing. The Atrium Gallery is available to visitors during MCC hours of operation.

For more information, contact info@mpaart.org, or call 703-790-1953.