The Museum of Contemporary Art is marking its 15th anniversary in the Joan Lehman Building and there’s much to celebrate. From its beginning as a local arts center, MOCA has grown into a major cultural institution that has made North Miami a regular stop on the international art circuit and a leader in the art world. MOCA has united people of all ages and backgrounds through its innovative exhibitions, renowned collection and education initiatives.
At the museum’s annual fundraiser on February 19, MOCA BASH Surf’s Up, MOCA Executive Director and Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater, who has led the museum since 1996, toasted the museum’s accomplishments. “Fifteen years ago when we opened this museum with the exhibition Defining the 90s: Consensus-Making in New York, Miami and Los Angeles, we were called audacious to position Miami alongside such major art centers,” said Clearwater. “Now, 15 years later, MOCA is recognized internationally and Miami has become one of the most innovative and exciting arts scenes.”
MOCA continues to meet the challenge of finding new ways to bring contemporary art to the community. Thanks to an endowment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, MOCA is one of a few contemporary art museums in the nation to have a dedicated source of funding to present the work of emerging and experimental artists. Many artists who have gone on to international acclaim, had their first exhibitions at MOCA, and the museum has a history of introducing the work of South Florida artists to the international art scene. Since opening its doors 15 years ago, the museum has mounted over 150 exhibitions, the majority of which were originated by MOCA curators.
MOCA EXPANSION: At Capacity
MOCA became a collecting museum in 1996 to acquire works that reflect significant artistic developments in contemporary art. Its focused approach to collecting concentrates on works by emerging and established artists from the United States and abroad that are connected by concepts and methodology, rather than chronology, style or medium. MOCA’s holdings now number close to 700 works. The City of North Miami has engaged the architectural firm of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates to finalize plans for the expansion and renovation of its current building (also designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates), which will triple the current exhibition space and create a designated education wing, new art storage areas, and enhance the public areas of the institution. Plans are anticipated to be completed by this summer with groundbreaking expected by the beginning of 2012. From March 18 – June 5, 2011, the museum will present At Capacity: Large-Scale Works from the Permanent Collection and Recent Acquisitions, an exhibition that underscores the museum’s need for more gallery space to share this major collection with the public.
THE MOCA ART INSTITUTE: Progressive Art Education
Many of the 75,000 visitors who pass through MOCA’s doors each year are drawn by the outstanding educational and enrichment programs initiated by the museum. To better meet the demands of its growing audience, the museum has launched The MOCA Art Institute, a comprehensive art and communications program that provides children, teens, and young adults with an innovative approach to art and communications education within the dynamic environment of a contemporary art museum. With after-school, evening, weekend, and summer programs in art history, inter-disciplinary and museum studies, studio art, photography, creative writing, graphic arts and journalism, students progressively acquire skills that round out their education experience and enjoy access to MOCA’s exhibitions and permanent collection while under the guidance of the museum’s dedicated staff.
NEW METHODS SYMPOSIUM: Creating Hemispheric Dialogue
Beginning with its 1996 inaugural exhibition, Defining the Nineties: Consensus Making in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, MOCA established itself as a leader in focusing attention on critical issues concerning the international art world and artists. From May 4 -6, 2011 MOCA will host the first of its kind international symposium titled New Methods, which will bring together artist-run organizations from countries throughout Latin America that have emerged from the need for independent education for working artists. The three-day symposium, which will be open to the public, will be the first time that leaders from these organizations will be able to meet in the United States, publicly address their practices, and increase communication among themselves. In bringing the organizations together, MOCA, North Miami will serve as a hub between Latin America, the United States and the international art world in highlighting the work of the participating organizations and connecting innovative artistic practices in Latin America with the Miami community and other audiences around the world.
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION: The Next Level
The Museum has long enjoyed the support of major collectors in South Florida who recognize the important role MOCA has played in advancing contemporary art and culture and it is an important resource for visitors and students. In honor of its 15th anniversary and construction of 16,000 square-feet of permanent collection gallery space, art storage, and study areas, several major works have been donated or promised to the museum for its “Special Anniversary Collection”, new works which will take the museum’s holdings to the next level.
Much more excitement is in store for the coming year. Visit www.mocanomi.org for updates.