Museum of Biblical Art

Mission:
The Museum of Biblical Art celebrates and interprets art inspired by the Bible and its cultural legacy in Jewish and Christian traditions through exhibitions, education, and scholarship.

History:
MOBIA is an independent museum committed to engaging diverse audiences in the exploration of biblically inspired art from the historical to the contemporary. Located near Columbus Circle and the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, MOBIA opened in May 2005 as the nation’s only scholarly museum specifically working at the intersection of art and the Bible. Incorporated as a not-for-profit educational institution, MOBIA argues from a secular perspective that the Bible is a culturally foundational text, which has greatly influenced artists historically and continues to inspire the creation of countless important works of art today.
The Museum is an inclusive cultural resource for visitors of all ages, creeds, educational levels, and

backgrounds. Its exhibitions and programs offer the public a unique interpretation of art through the lens of the Bible, encouraging new perspectives in a visitor-friendly manner, while integrating aesthetics, history, and religious studies. The environment created fosters tolerance and promotes dialog about the role art plays in religious life.

MOBIA has no permanent collection but instead mounts three major exhibitions annually, often complemented by installations of rare bibles or contemporary multimedia. The Museum has organized over 45 temporary exhibitions and numerous educational programs, with the art on view ranging from the altarpieces of Bartolo di Fredi to the stained glass windows of Louis Comfort Tiffany, and from Albrecht Durer prints to works by contemporary book artists.