Danforth Museum of Art

The Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University is a public-facing museum and community-centered art school dedicated to making art an active part of everyday life. Founded in 1975 by local advocates committed to cultural access, the Danforth was created as a place where exhibitions, education, and creative practice could coexist. Its mission remains grounded in the belief that art thrives when it is shared widely—through exhibitions, dialogue, and hands-on learning that welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

In 2018, the Danforth entered a new chapter through its merger with Framingham State University, strengthening its educational reach while preserving its community roots. Housed in the Jonathan Maynard Building on the historic Framingham Centre Common, the Museum presents a dynamic exhibition program that bridges past and present. Its permanent collection focuses on American art from the nineteenth century to today, while rotating exhibitions highlight historic works alongside contemporary and regional voices, encouraging fresh perspectives and critical engagement.

Photography plays an increasingly important role within the Danforth’s exhibitions and educational offerings. The Museum regularly features photographic work in its changing gallery program, presenting photography as both an artistic medium and a documentary tool that reflects social, cultural, and personal narratives. Complementing these exhibitions, the Art School offers photography classes and workshops that explore both digital and analog practices, giving students the opportunity to develop technical skills while engaging with photography’s expressive and conceptual possibilities.

Alongside its commitment to photography, the Danforth is home to the largest collection of works and ephemera by the influential twentieth-century sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, underscoring its dedication to preserving significant artistic legacies. As a member of the Framingham Centre Common Cultural District, the Danforth continues to serve as a cultural anchor for the region—a place to view art thoughtfully, learn creatively, and participate in a living dialogue between artists, students, and the wider community.