About Us
The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) is an independent non-profit institution dedicated to the preservation of heritage, expansion of knowledge and celebration of West African arts and culture.
MOWAA was founded in 2020 as a catalyst for deepening connections between contemporary arts and the rich cultural heritage of West Africa, creating opportunities for African and Diaspora artists and scholars.
Located in the heart of Benin City, Nigeria, the MOWAA Campus comprises multiple buildings and public spaces for research, art practice, education, display and performance. Designed as an ecosystem to nurture, inspire and showcase contemporary creatives, scholars, and cultural practitioners, the Campus serves to build connections between heritage and contemporary creativity.
MOWAA brings together curatorial, conservation, archaeology, material science, digitisation, and public programmes, reflecting our multidisciplinary approach and deep commitment to shaping the future of arts, heritage management and cultural practice in West Africa.
The first building on the Campus, the Institute, opened in November 2025 alongside MOWAA’s inaugural exhibition Nigeria Imaginary: Homecoming, a historical collections display, a store, public spaces, gardens, and more.
The Campus
MOWAA’s Rainforest Gardens, planted with over 2,000 indigenous trees, reclaim botanical knowledge erased by colonial forestry and invite visitors to explore the connection between art, nature, and community through site-specific works. The second phase of the MOWAA Campus will introduce three new buildings: a boutique hotel, the Rainforest Gallery, and a performance centre.
Located in the heart of Benin City, Nigeria, the MOWAA Campus comprises multiple buildings and public spaces for research, art practice, education, display and performance. Designed as an ecosystem to nurture, inspire and showcase contemporary creatives, scholars, and cultural practitioners, our Campus serves to build connections between tradition and current art and artisanal practices.
The MOWAA Institute is a dynamic hub for research, conservation, and heritage management, supporting institutions and practitioners across the continent. As a state-of-the-art facility for collections storage and conservation, it serves as the engine room for knowledge production and collaboration, fuelling MOWAA’s research and programmes. An impressive 4,500-square-metre rammed earth structure, the Institute includes exhibition galleries, conservation and material science labs, a 100-seat auditorium and seminar rooms. The Institute, designed by Adjaye Associates, was the first building to open on the Campus.
MOWAA’s Rainforest Gardens, planted with over 2,000 indigenous trees, reclaim botanical knowledge erased by colonial forestry and invite visitors to explore the connection between art, nature, and community through site-specific works. The second phase of the MOWAA Campus will introduce three new buildings: a boutique hotel, the Rainforest Gallery, and a performance centre.
Located in the heart of Benin City, Nigeria, the MOWAA Campus comprises multiple buildings and public spaces for research, art practice, education, display and performance. Designed as an ecosystem to nurture, inspire and showcase contemporary creatives, scholars, and cultural practitioners, our Campus serves to build connections between tradition and current art and artisanal practices.
About Benin City
General
info@wearemowaa.org
Visit
guestrelations@wearemowaa.org
Press Inquiries
press@wearemowaa.org
Development
donations@wearemowaa.org
Programmes
programmes@wearemowaa.org
Museum Store
store@wearemowaa.org
Communications
comms@wearemowaa.org
Press
Become a Member
Free admission and guest tickets
Supporters-only hours and exhibition previews
Free film screenings
Much more