about
The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) is the official national museum, education center, and repository for intuitive, self-taught artistry.
What is Visionary Art?
Like love, you know it when you see it. But here's the longer definition, straight out of our Mission Statement:
"Visionary art as defined for the purposes of the American Visionary Art Museum refers to art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself."
In short, visionary art begins by listening to the inner voices of the soul, and often may not even be thought of as 'art' by its creator.
AVAM's 2026 Strategic plan
envision! creating avam's future
For three decades, AVAM has been disrupting the museum experience and challenging assumptions about who gets to be called an artist and whose creativity matters. By expanding access, enriching experiences, strengthening partnerships, and investing in organizational excellence, AVAM is creating a future in which more people can discover the transformative power of creativity.
Crafted collaboratively with board, staff, and stakeholder feedback, AVAM is launching an ambitious five-year strategic plan designed to strengthen our distinctive role as a national cultural institution while expanding our reach, relevance, and impact throughout the greater Baltimore region. The five strategic pillars, the key areas of focus for the plan, are above.
Initiatives within the Strategic Priorities include:
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Growing and deepening relationships with Baltimore communities, with a focus on underrepresented groups and partnerships with likeminded organizations to expand access, trust, and interest
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Increasing and integrating data collection, marketing, communications, and storytelling about AVAM's impact to increase visibility, visitation, and engagement
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Evolving the processes that drive exhibitions to refresh galleries more frequently, and sharing more artistic voices and collection works, driving deeper understanding and repeat visitation
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Enhancing the physical infrastructure to improve accessibility, navigation, and inclusivity for diverse audiences
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Building donor and corporate fundraising to secure sustained, flexible funding that supports long-term impacts
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Strengthening staff capacity, training, and support to improve organizational capabilities and retention
Museum history
1984
Museum founder Rebecca Alban Hoffberger has the idea for a unique new museum and education center that would emphasize intuitive creative invention and grassroots genius while she is employed as the Development Director of People Encouraging People, Inc.—a program of the Department of Psychiatry at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
A Top-10 Place to See Before You’re 10.
—travel & Leisure magazine
Diversity, equity, Inclusion, & Access at avam
At the American Visionary Art Museum our mission champions self-taught and intuitive artists and their diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and artistry. In reflection of that mission, we foster an inclusive museum culture that honors the contributions and experiences of every artist, employee, volunteer, and visitor. We strive to address the needs of our communities through our programming and services. It is AVAM’s vision that everyone has access to a full, vibrant, and creative life, which is essential to a compassionate society.
American Visionary Art Museum
800 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
phone: (410) 244-1900
fax: (410) 244-5858
