We are proud to offer exhibitions that provide opportunities for artists of all ages to display their works at the Museum. Community exhibitions are short-term shows that are free to the public and displayed in the education wing of the Museum. These exhibitions display artwork from community partnerships, studio classes, students, faculty, and local artists.
2023/2024 Schedule
Looking Back: The History of Art Education at the Worcester Art Museum (Downstairs Gallery)
October 21–November 26, 2023
The Worcester Art Museum has had education at its heart since it was founded. When the Museum opened its doors in 1898, drawing and painting classes soon followed. This exhibition covers the last 125 years of art education at WAM through images, artwork, and stories.
Looking Forward: The Future of Art Education (Upstairs Gallery)
October 14–November 26, 2023
A counterpart to the “Looking Back” exhibit, this interactive exhibit invites community members to submit what they think art education in museums should, or could, look like in the future.
All in the Family: Artwork by WAM’s Staff, Faculty, and Volunteers (Downstairs Gallery)
December 2, 2023–January 7, 2024
Opening December 7 at 12 pm
The Worcester Art Museum is much more than a building and the objects within it—get a peek into the creative minds and roles behind its many exhibitions, programs, classes, and projects!
IMPACT: Adult Student Exhibition (Downstairs Gallery)
January 11–February 25, 2024
This exhibition highlights works by adult students of the Worcester Art Museum. From painting to printmaking, collage to calligraphy, watercolor to writing, sample a bit of what WAM students can accomplish! Learn more about our Adult Art Classes.
Youth Art Month: MAEA Central Massachusetts Exhibit (Downstairs Gallery)
March 1–31, 2024
Closing March 31, 12–2pm
The Museum is proud to host this annual exhibition, organized by the Massachusetts Art Education Association. Works from elementary, middle, and secondary school students from across Central Massachusetts are selected by their art teachers and displayed in this celebration of creativity. Learn more about Youth Art Month.
Teen Council: Teen Exhibit (Downstairs Gallery)
April 8–May 5, 2024
Closing May 5, 12–2pm
Spearheaded by the Museum’s Teen Council, this open-call exhibition, title TBD by the teens, features artwork from teens ages 13–19 years old from across Worcester County.
NEW!! Worcester Public School Senior Arts Show
May 11–June 8, 2024
Meet the Artist Night TBD
For the first time, the Worcester Art Museum will be hosting the WPS Senior art exhibit. Held in South High for the last few years, it is exciting to be able to highlight the graduating artists’ works in a publicly accessible gallery. We also host the WPS Senior in the Arts Awards—so a perfect fit!
Artistic Aspirations
June 6–July 31, 2024
This exhibit features artworks made by Seven Hills’ ASPiRE Artists, who have been attending classes weekly at the Worcester Art Museum. Accomplished artists in their own right, the group has been studying the elements of art and how to apply them in their own works. This exhibit will extend down into the Open Door Gallery once the exhibit by Dominic Quagliozzi is uninstalled in late June; then, a selection of this work will be transferred completely to the Open Door Gallery for the month of August for continued viewing.
Arts Alternative Exhibition (Upstairs Gallery)
June 11–July 7, 2024
Working with the local juvenile justice department, the Worcester Art Museum offers visual arts programming for young adults to express themselves creatively, sharing their voices, thoughts and stories. This show encapsulates the artistic endeavors of the Arts Alternative youth from their monthly visits to the Museum galleries and hands-on art making activity in the studios.
Almost There: Student Works-in-Process
July 17–August 11, 2024
Adult and Teen students can submit works-in-process for the public to view and to offer comments and encouragement via in-person and online platforms.
2024/2025 Schedule
Celebrating Creativity: The Youth Summer Exhibit
August 14–September 24, 2024
Opening September 12, 5–7:30 pm
Come celebrate creativity with the bold and brilliant works of students in our summer Teen and Youth Programs!
Open Call: Art of the Macabre
September 25–October 31, 2024
Opening October 27, 2–4 pm
This non-juried open call asks New England artists of all ages to reach into the cobwebs and share something a bit dark, grim, ghastly, spooky, or scary as we venture from the warmth of summer into the darkness of winter.
Special Diwali Exhibit: India Society of Worcester
November 2–November 3, 2024
Celebration Sunday, November 3, 11 am–3 pm
Special exhibit put on by the India Society of Worcester in collaboration with WAM and the jointly held Diwali festival in early November.
Teen Exhibit
November 27, 2024–January 5, 2025
Opening December 1, 2–4 pm
Spearheaded by the Museum’s Teen Council, this open-call exhibition, title TBD by the teens, features artwork from teens ages 13–19 years old from across Worcester County.
Submission form coming soon.
Open Call: Art in Dialogue
January 15–February 23, 2025
Opening January 19, 2–4 pm
This non-juried open call asks New England artists of all ages to create a piece in response to a work in the Worcester Art Museum collection. As an artist you can re-imagining the art, ‘talk back’ to it, be inspired by it, or converse with it. The piece you choose can be currently on view or off view. The majority of WAM’s collection is available to view in our collection search via eMuseum. You will be asked to identify the artwork your work is in dialogue with and will have the option to provide an artist’s statement.
Submission form coming soon.
Youth Art Month
March 1–March 31, 2025
Closing March 31, 12–2 pm
The Museum is proud to host this annual exhibition, organized by the Massachusetts Art Education Association. Works from elementary, middle, and secondary school students from across Central Massachusetts are selected by their art teachers and displayed in this celebration of creativity. Learn more about Youth Art Month.
IMPACT: The Adult Student Exhibit
April 9–May 18, 2025
Opening April 13, 2–4 pm
This exhibition highlights works by adult students of the Worcester Art Museum. From painting to printmaking, collage to calligraphy, watercolor to writing, sample a bit of what WAM students can accomplish! Learn more about our Adult Art Classes.
WPS Seniors in the Arts Show
May 22–June 7, 2025
Private Opening
Meet the Artist Night TBD
The Worcester Art Museum will be hosting the WPS Senior Art exhibit. It is exciting to be able to highlight the graduating artist’s works in a publicly accessible gallery. We also host the WPS Seniors in the Arts Awards – so it’s a perfect fit!
AP Art History Capstone
June 10–July 13, 2025
Private Opening
All school year, about 25 Worcester Public High School students from across the city come to the Museum twice a week to attend an Advanced Placement class program, exploring art history through a combination of gallery visits, presentations, and hands-on studio time. This is their capstone exhibition. Learn more about the AP Art History course.
Silent Response
July 23–August 17, 2025
Interactive, No Opening
Artists from the community are welcome to post their in-process works to receive feedback via a silent response process. Think like a silent auction, where people write in their amounts, but this will be writing or drawing in response to the artwork.
Celebrating Creativity: The Youth Summer Exhibit
August 28–September 28, 2025
Opening TBD
Come celebrate creativity with the bold and brilliant works of students in our summer Teen and Youth Programs!
