Overview /

Known as the museum “where new art is discovered,” MOCA is internationally recognized as a force in defining new trends and directions in contemporary art. The museum originates most of its own exhibitions, presenting an exciting mix of both emerging and legendary artists. Visitors from around the world are drawn to its permanent collection reflecting the most important developments in contemporary art.

MOCA presents a continuous calendar of lectures by renowned artists and critics, film screenings, concerts, and cutting edge performances. It has attracted nationwide attention for highly original education and outreach programs that make contemporary art accessible, understandable, and enjoyable to people of all ages.

MOCA members enjoy special entrée to the art world in Miami and beyond. Through enrichment programs, cultural travel and social events, members are provided dynamic opportunities to enhance their understanding of contemporary art and develop relationships with collectors and art enthusiasts from around the world.

Architectural plans for the expansion and renovation of MOCA's current facility will more than double its overall space to 54,000 square feet and more than triple its current exhibition space to 23,150 square feet.    The expansion's concept plan is designed by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman + Associates.  The expansion will allow for ongoing access to MOCA's permanent collection, provide an education wing for classes and public programs, expanded space to present concurrent exhibitions, new art storage and enhanced public areas. 

MOCA’s permanent collection reflects significant artistic developments in contemporary art by emerging and established artists from the U.S. and abroad. John Baldessari, Dan Flavin, Dennis Oppenheim, Alex Katz, Nam June Pak, Uta Barth, Teresita Fernandez, Gary Simmons, Jose Bedia, Anna Gaskel, Mariko Mori, John Bock, Trenton Doyle Hancock, Pierre Huyghe, Philippe Parreno, Edward Kienholz, Raymond Pettibon, and Matthew Ritchie are among the artists whose works are included in the collection.

MOCA Knight Exhibition Series

In 2007, MOCA received a $5 million endowment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to establish the MOCA Knight Exhibition Endowment. The endowment is part of a $460 million philanthropic initiative created by Knight Foundation to help transform South Florida by bringing the community together through the arts.  The Knight Arts Challenge includes three institutional endowments and an open-invitation community contest to fund the best ideas for the arts.  It enables MOCA to present exhibitions and multi-media projects each year featuring the work of emerging and experimental artists, as well as to develop innovative public and education programs. The Knight Foundation Endowment makes MOCA one of the few contemporary art museums in the nation to have a dedicated source of funding of this nature.  Since its launch in December 2008, MOCA's Knight Exhibition Series has featured the exhibitions: Anri Sala: Purchase Not by Moonlight (2008-09), The Possibility of an Island (2008-09), Luis Gispert (2009), The Reach of Realism (2009-10), Ceal Floyer: Auto Focus (2010), and Cory Arcange: The Sharper Image (2010).  For more, visit www.KnightArts.org.

 About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote informed, engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

Photo: Noelle Theard, Opening Reception Sympathy for the Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967, May 30, 2008