The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, commonly referred to as MASS MoCA, is a museum located in North Adams, Massachusetts. The site is a large 19th century former factory building. Along with a large variety of contemporary art displays, the museum also hosts film screenings and has seen performances by a variety of musical acts, including Cat Power and Steve Earle. A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, the tangible and intangible evidence of people and their environment. ... North Adams is a city located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... A factory (previously manufactory) is a large industrial building where goods or products are manufactured. ... The term contemporary art encompasses all art being done now. ... A museum is a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, the tangible and intangible evidence of people and their environment. ... Cat Power is the name of a band which centers around singer and songwriter Chan (pronounced Shawn) Marshall. ... Steve Earle (born January 17, 1955) is a country musician who grew up in Schertz, Texas. ...

The museum is located on the site of the former Sprague Electric Works factory. When the factory shut down during the 1980s, the town's economy suffered. Finally, in 1999, MASS MoCA opened its doors. It is considered to be the largest contemporary arts museum in the world.

External link

• Mass MoCA website (http://www.massmoca.org)