Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville facts for kids
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| Established | 2003 |
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| Location | 333 North Laura Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Public transit access | Bus: Riverside Trolly Monorail: James Weldon Johnson Park Station Northbank Line
Southbank Line
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Building details
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| Former names | Western Union Telegraph Building |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Completed | 1931 |
| Owner | University of North Florida |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Marsh and Saxelbye |
| Developer | Western Union Telegraph Company |
The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, often called MOCA Jacksonville, is a cool contemporary art museum located in Jacksonville, Florida. It's a special part of the University of North Florida and is one of the biggest contemporary art museums in the southeastern United States. MOCA Jacksonville shows amazing art from artists all over the world, the country, and the local area.
Contents
Museum History
MOCA Jacksonville started way back in 1924. It was first known as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society. This was the first group in Jacksonville focused on visual arts.
In 1948, the museum officially became the Jacksonville Art Museum. Later, in 1978, it became the first museum in Jacksonville to be approved by the American Alliance of Museums. This means it met high standards for museums.
In late 1999, the museum found its permanent home. This was the old Western Union Telegraph Building. It's located near what is now James Weldon Johnson Park. The building was built by The Auchter Company in 1931.
In 2000, the museum, then called the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art (JMOMA), opened some preview exhibits. This happened while the outside of the building was being fixed up. It was restored to its original Art Deco style. The inside was completely redone to hold art galleries, learning spaces, and a theater. There's also a Museum Shop and Café Nola. The whole building is about 60,000 square feet. All the work was finished in 2003, and the museum had a big re-opening in May of that year.
Growth and Art
After moving downtown, the museum grew quickly. More people became members, and its art collection got much bigger. Many new artworks were added, making the collection almost 800 pieces. In November 2006, JMOMA changed its name to the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville.
The museum is an important part of Jacksonville's plan to make its downtown area better. Its art shows and programs bring new visitors to the city center. People come during the day, at night, and on weekends.
MOCA Jacksonville offers many educational programs. These include reading programs for kids and art classes on weekends. They also have regular tours, talks, films, and books for both kids and adults.
The museum often changes its exhibitions. These shows feature art by contemporary artists. You can see paintings, sculptures, and video art. The third floor has exhibitions that change about every four months.
In 2009, the University of North Florida took over the museum. It now serves as a cultural resource for the university.
Past Exhibitions
MOCA Jacksonville has hosted many exciting exhibitions over the years. These shows feature a wide range of contemporary artists and art styles. Some past exhibitions have included:
- State of the Art: Locate
- Project Atrium: Chiharu Shiota: Letters of Love
- Kara Walker: Cut To The Quick
- The American Dream
- Project Atrium: Rina Banerjee
- Project Atrium: Evan Roth: Since You Were Born
- Louise Nevelson with Chakaia Booker, Lauren Fensterstock and Kate Gilmore
- Gideon Mendel: Drowning World
- Frank Stella Unbound: Literature and Printmaking
- Project Atrium: Gabriel Dawe, Plexus No. 38
- In Living Color: Andy Warhol and Contemporary Printmaking
- Project Atrium: Ian Johnston: Fish Tales
- The New York Times Magazine Photographs
- Kept Time: Photographs by Joseph D. Jachna
- Larry Clark: The Tulsa Series
- Marilyn Monroe: Life as a Legend
- Robert Motherwell: Lost in Form, Found in Line
- Jazz Giants: The Photography of Herman Leonard
- Ultra-Realistic Sculpture by Marc Sijan
- Continental Shifts: The Art of Edouard Duval-Carrié
- Second Skins: Sculptural Soundsuits and Tondos by Nick Cave
- Bloom: Paintings and Constructions by Luis Cruz Azaceta
- Cheerleaders, Bodybuilders and Disco Queens: Photographs by Brian Finke & Morten Nilsson
- 30th Parallel: A Convergence of Contemporary Painting
- Image & Energy: Selections from the Haskell Collection
- Arnold Mesches: A Painting History 1940-2003
- Skin: Contemporary Views of the Body
- American Beauty: Sculptures by Jack Dowd
