The vision of the Museum of Northern California Art (monca) is to be a vehicle for communities in the region to experience and create art for the sake of enjoyment, expression, social cohesion, innovation and communication. The museum will improve public perception of art by creating vital educational programs that inspire enthusiasm and increase the quality of life for artists, art enthusiasts and the public at large.

The monca Board of Directors was thrilled to announce that the Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved our lease of the historic Veterans Memorial Hall in Chico on March 26th, 2013. The Veterans Memorial Hall was built in 1927 on the site of what had been John Bidwell’s hay warehouse in the 1880s on the former Tehama County Road. By the 1920s, the road, now The Esplanade, was still Chico’s major northern axis. Two lots just to the south of the Chico Vecino area and opposite the high school were purchased in 1926 from Mrs. Theresa Purdue for $2,500 by the County Board of Supervisors

A prominent Chico architectural firm of the 1920s, Cole & Brouchaud, was chosen to design the building. Their knowledge of the appropriate interpretation of classic elements is seen in this building as well as in several on the CSU, Chico campus (in early Christian-Byzantine Revival styles). The Veterans Hall has remained an integral part of the Chico community since its dedication on Veterans Day 1927

This grand building sits on the Esplanade in close proximity to other museums in the community, and it is a fitting home for monca’s permanent collection and exhibitions. In 2022, the museum celebrated 5 years in the building and we are looking forward to many more.