MoFA - FSU Museum of Fine Arts

The Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts, known as MoFA, stands as a vital cultural and educational resource within the university and the wider Tallahassee community. Its origins trace back to the early 1970s, when it began as the Fine Arts Gallery for FSU’s School of Visual Arts. In 1971, the gallery found its home in the newly constructed Fine Arts Building, gaining 16,000 square feet of exhibition and work space. Over time, as its role expanded to include collecting, research, and broad public programming, it was officially designated as the Museum of Fine Arts in 1994.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 2003 and reaccredited in 2012, MoFA upholds high standards in its curatorial and educational work. The museum is free and open to the public, welcoming students, scholars, and visitors of all ages to engage with art in a meaningful way. Its exhibition program includes a dynamic mix of contemporary works, traveling shows, and displays from its permanent collection, reflecting both regional and global perspectives.

MoFA plays a distinctive role within the FSU College of Fine Arts, which combines the energy of a conservatory with the resources of a major research university. It supports a thriving community of artists, educators, and researchers who use the museum as both a classroom and a creative laboratory. Students are encouraged to participate directly in curatorial projects, exhibition design, and public programming, giving them hands-on experience that prepares them for future careers in the arts.

Beyond the university, MoFA serves as a cultural hub for Tallahassee, providing free access to exhibitions, lectures, and events that encourage dialogue and discovery. With its strong foundation in education, creativity, and community engagement, the FSU Museum of Fine Arts continues to foster appreciation of the visual arts while inspiring future generations of artists and thinkers.