The Chazen Museum of Art is a cultural facility of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was founded for purposes in keeping with the university's mission of education, research, and public service. It provides support and enrichment of the university's educational programs; it houses the art collection of the university and sponsors exhibitions of art; it is a facility for the Department of Art History; it houses the university's art reference library. Most activities are free to all, and visitor use of the Chazen Museum of Art is encouraged equally among the general public and the university community.
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is an independent organization that exhibits, collects, and preserves modern and contemporary art to provide transformative experiences that educate, reflect, and inspire us as individuals and a community.
The McFarland Historical Society is presently run by a small volunteer board. In the late fall a new theme is chosen for the following spring opening. A theme display is set up in the front window and a more elaborate exhibit is gathered and set up in the foyer of the museum. This display is kept up for the following season, opening on Memorial Day. Docents are present while the museum is open on Sunday afternoons all summer. Special tours are also available at other times and throughout the year by appointment.