Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts facts for kids
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The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) is a special art museum in Brooklyn, New York. It's the first and only museum there focused on modern art and culture from Africa and people of African descent around the world. Since 2023, MoCADA has grown to include three different locations:
- Culture Lab II: This is the main spot with art galleries, a place for performances, a gift shop, and a cafe. You can find it at 10 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn.
- Ubuntu Garden: This is a community garden and outdoor art space. It's located at 48 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn.
- Abolition House: This is a special place on Governors Island where artists can live and create art for a season. It's at House 7A Nolan Park.
Contents
History of MoCADA
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MoCADA was started in 1999 by Laurie Cumbo. It began in a building owned by the historic Bridge Street AWME Church in the heart of Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
In 2006, MoCADA moved to a larger space at 80 Hanson Place. This location is in Fort Greene, a neighborhood in Brooklyn known for its history and the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) arts district. MoCADA has continued to grow, hosting many art shows throughout the year. These shows highlight the diverse cultures and stories of people from the African Diaspora.
Art Exhibitions at MoCADA
MoCADA features many interesting art shows. One example was Saying No: Reconciling Spirituality and Resistance in Indigenous Australian Art. This exhibition was put together by Australian artist Bindi Cole.
What was "Saying No" about?
The "Saying No" exhibition showed how Indigenous Australian artists use modern art to share their identity and culture. It also highlighted their protests against racism and unfair treatment. The exhibition included different types of art, like sculptures, paintings, photos, videos, and mixed media works. Some of the artists featured were Tony Albert, Vicki Couzens, Fiona Foley, Daniel Boyd, and Maree Clarke.
MoCADA's Community Programs
MoCADA works hard to connect with the community through various programs.
Public Exchange Concerts
In 2012, the museum received a $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. This money helped fund a two-year program called "Public Exchange." This program brought monthly concerts to public spaces in NYCHA housing areas in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. These included places like Walt Whitman, Ingersoll, and Farragut. The concerts featured talented musicians and often drew large crowds of 500 to 600 people.
Soul of Brooklyn Series
In 2013, MoCADA started another art performance series called "Soul of Brooklyn." This series featured block-party style events. The goal was to bring the community together and help local businesses.
See also
In Spanish: MoCADA para niños
