Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington

The Delaware Contemporary is Delaware’s premier non-collecting contemporary art museum, founded in 1979 as the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts. In 2015, it adopted its current name to better reflect its forward-looking mission. Situated at 200 South Madison Street on Wilmington’s revitalized Riverfront, the museum occupies a 33,000-square-foot industrial space in the historic Harlan and Hollingsworth building. It houses seven galleries, 26 working artist studios, a museum shop, an auditorium, and classrooms-all designed to foster creative exchange and community engagement.

Dedicated to presenting thought-provoking and topical works, The Delaware Contemporary showcases more than 30 exhibitions each year, featuring regional, national, and international artists. Its dynamic, ever-changing exhibitions highlight emerging trends and diverse voices in contemporary art, offering visitors fresh perspectives on current social, political, and cultural issues. The museum also supports artists directly through gallery sales and commissions, reinforcing its commitment to a thriving creative ecosystem.

Beyond exhibitions, The Delaware Contemporary is deeply invested in education and outreach. Its programs include artist residencies, collaborative school projects, and the innovative Contemporary Connections initiative, which integrates visual art into core curriculum subjects like math and science. With partnerships involving over 60 community groups and schools, the museum prioritizes accessibility and inclusion-values further underscored by its policy of free admission.

Whether you're an art enthusiast or a casual visitor, the museum offers an inviting space to engage with contemporary creativity. Surrounded by Wilmington’s restaurants and attractions, The Delaware Contemporary continues to serve as a vibrant cultural anchor for the region, inspiring curiosity and dialogue through the lens of contemporary art.