(o) (347) 406-9712
(c) (646) 338-2748

About MAAWOCU

Mission Statement

The Museum of African Art & World Cultures (MAAWOCU) is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing an enriching and educational experience to young people in Central Brooklyn and beyond.
With its more than 350 unique African artifacts from 20 of the 55 African countries, MAAWOCU will strive to increase a broader appreciation and encourage a deeper understanding of the diverse people, music, art, and cultures from the continent of Africa and from around the world. The African artifacts housed in MAAWOCU will educate the public about how the customs and traditions of African culture (“symbols”) are reflected in other world cultures from America’s indigenous peoples, as well as, South America, Asia, and the Middle East.
MAAWOCU will continue to add traditional, contemporary, and modern African artifacts to its collection. Many traditional master African carvers have passed on to join their ancestors, and the genius of these carvers may be lost forever. MAAWOCU’s founders believe that young African carvers should be encouraged to create the art masterpieces of today that will be the revered ancient artifacts of the future.
MAAWOCU will also achieve its mission through exhibits, in-museum, and outreach tours, video presentations, lectures, films, youth and adult workshops, story-telling events, academic courses, artists-in-residence programs, and partnerships with other arts organizations and scholars, as well as school and community outreach programs.
MAAWOCU’s exhibits and engaging enrichment programs will create an excellent development opportunity for young people while promoting family interaction and a renewed sense of community.

Museum Objectives

  • Exhibit the diverse art of Africa to a multicultural population in Central Brooklyn and worldwide;
  • Stimulate the curiosity of young people to appreciate other cultures;
  • Bring cultures together for dialogue and interactive learning. Discussions will focus on the customs or symbols that African art reflects in the culture and philosophy of Africa, as well as the similarities that could be applied to all societies when reflecting on the importance of the power of culture and traditions;
  • Establish partnerships with existing arts institutions in Brooklyn, New York, and beyond;
  • Organize innovative, unforgettable, “must-see” exhibitions and activities with enormous appeal to the public, as well as create thought-provoking dialogue;
  • Engage African Americans and African people in stimulating dialogue about both cultural differences and similarities; and
  • Publish exhibit books and educational publications from original African artifacts and cultural research.
Vira Lynn Jones
Executive Director / Founder
Vira Lynn Jones was inspired to create an African cultural museum in 2002 when she began to think about the future of the 300 African artifacts housed in two storage facilities. Since Vira's relatives did not share her passion for African artifacts, she began to explore estate planning options. Vira decided to donate her collection to create an African art museum. She decided to rename the cultural institution from the Bedford Stuyvesant Museum of African Art (BSMAA) to the Museum of African Art & World Cultures (MAAWOCU). Vira is confident that MAAWOCU will fill a void in a vibrant and creative community that lacks a cultural institution.
Vira was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia. After graduating with a B.S. degree in journalism from Ohio University, she joined the Peace Corps and served in Ghana, West Africa. She was a high school English teacher for two years. Vira traveled extensively in the Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo during her two years in Ghana. After returning to the U.S., the United Nations recruited her to teach in the People's Republic of China. Following her two-year teaching opportunity in China, Vira moved to New York and graduated with a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She has also traveled extensively in Cuba, Germany, France, Cameroon, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Since 2002, MAAWOCU has been incubated in 1500 sq. ft. space in Bedford–Stuyvesant. While MAAWOCU has been in operation since 2006, it was officially incorporated in 2012 and received its IRS nonprofit status in 2014.
Vira will continue to work tirelessly to expand this extraordinary asset to the community. She believes it is her responsibility to raise awareness of MAAWOCU among communities and leaders and the incredible assets the museum will provide to the community.
Phone
(646) 338-2748 (c)
Address
1157 Bedford Ave. Suite 2, Brooklyn, New York 11216
WEBSITE
www.maawocu.org MAAWOCU was formerly known as the Bedford Stuyvesant Museum of African Art (BSMAA)
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