Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami

History

The Museum of Contemporary Art began as the Center for Contemporary art in a single gallery space in 1981. In 1996, the museum opened a new building, following the establishment of its permanent collection in 1995. The museum was directed by art historian and curator Bonnie Clearwater from 1993 until 2013. Clearwater considered MOCA an "education museum", and under her directorship the institution was awarded an IMLS National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2012.

MOCA has presented solo and survey exhibitions by artists including Bill Viola, Tracey Emin, Edouard Duval-Carrié, Virginia Overton, Purvis Young, Wangechi Mutu, Michael Richards, and many others. In 2008, the institution received a $5 million endowment from the Knight Exhibition Series, supporting exhibitions of work by emerging artists, the development of new public programs, enhanced school programs, and the presentation of lectures, performances, and film screenings. MOCA's Optic Nerve was recognized as an important forum for emerging artists working in film. Over 220 artists have been featured in this series, many of them publicly presenting their work for the first time.

In Fall 2014, some members of the museum's board of trustees split and established a new arts organization, the Institute of Contemporary Art, in Miami's Design District. In a settlement, approximately 70% of MOCA's 700 works remained in MOCA's collection, and 200 pieces were to be held by the new organization.

In January 2018, the City of North Miami appointed Chana Budgazad Sheldon, previously executive director of the Miami alternative exhibition space Locust Projects, as MOCA's director.

Outreach

MOCA has several different outreach programs.

References

References

1. (2008-05-30). "Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects". Mocanomi.org.
2. (5 January 2013). "IMLS National Medal Winner – Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami".
3. LaVelle, Ciara. (2013-07-17). "Bonnie Clearwater to Leave MOCA for Fort Lauderdale's Museum of Art". Miami New Times.
4. (2008-04-18). "Bonnie Clearwater on Leaving MOCA". The Miami Rail.
5. "Transcendence and Transformation: Q+A with Bill Viola - Art in America". Art in America.
6. (2013-12-02). "First US Museum Exhibition for Tracey Emin Opens at MOCA, North Miami". Hyperallergic.
7. Villarreal, Ignacio. "First U.S. solo museum exhibition for artist Virginia Overton opens at MOCA, North Miami".
8. Sentenac, Hannah. (2015-02-12). "Purvis Young Exhibition Opens at Museum of Contemporary Art". Miami New Times.
9. "Mutu show at Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami is a fantastic journey". miamiherald.
10. (March 2, 2021). "Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) to Present Retrospective of Late Afro-Caribbean Artist Michael Richards; On View April 21 through Oct. 10, 2021". Miami's Community News.
11. Nahmad, Valerie. "MOCA recognized by The White House". Knight Foundation.
12. (21 August 2013). "Optic Nerve Film Screening".
13. (August 19, 2013). "Optic Nerve Video Festival at Museum of Contemporary Art". Boco Ratan Magazine.
14. "North Miami council approves MOCA settlement, downtown plans".
15. "After two-year search, MOCA names a new director. Miami arts fans already know her.". miamiherald.
16. "Outreach – Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami".