Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada facts for kids
 |
|
| Former name | Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art |
|---|---|
| Established | 1999 |
| Location | 158 Sterling Road Toronto, Ontario |
| Type | Art museum |
The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) is a cool art museum and gallery in Toronto, Ontario. It's a special place where you can see modern art from Canada and around the world. MOCA is an independent, non-profit organization. This means it's dedicated to art and education, not making money.
Contents
MOCA's Story: From Past to Present
The museum first opened in 1999. Back then, it was called the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA). It started from an older art gallery in North York.
Moving to New Homes
In 2005, MOCCA moved to a new spot. It found a home in a former textile factory. This factory was in the West Queen West area of downtown Toronto. The City of Toronto government helped pay for the building's updates. They spent half a million dollars to make it ready.
In 2015, the museum had to move again. Its building was going to be torn down. New apartments were planned for the site. Before leaving, MOCCA held a fun art show. It was called Queen West Yacht Club by artist Dean Baldwin.
A Hub for Art and Ideas
At its Queen West location, the museum was a busy place. It helped shape Toronto's modern art scene. MOCCA worked with many artists and groups. These partnerships connected Toronto to art scenes everywhere. The museum showed art from over 1,100 artists. These artists came from Canada and other countries. It hosted more than 200 exhibitions. About 40,000 people visited each year.
A New Name and Bigger Space
In 2016, the museum changed its name. It became the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA). The move allowed MOCA to find a much larger space. In September 2018, MOCA opened its doors again. Its new home is a huge 55,000 square foot building. This building was once a factory in the Lower Junction area. The museum received money from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund to help with the move.
MOCA is connected to other important art groups. These include the Canadian Museums Association and the Ontario Museum Association. It is also part of the Ontario Association of Art Galleries.
Awards and Recognition
When the museum was on Queen Street West, it gave out a special prize. This was the MOCCA Award in Contemporary Art. In 2010, a famous artist named Edward Burtynsky won this award.
Exploring MOCA's Exhibits
The museum's old Queen Street West location had two big spaces for art. The Main Space was about 5,000 square feet. There was also a smaller Project Room, about 1,000 square feet.
Artworks and Artists
Over 80 art shows and projects were held there. About 800 artists showed their work. Some well-known artists included Suzy Lake and Kris Knight. The museum also showed art by artists from other countries. Since 2001, MOCA has even presented shows in other countries. These include the United States, China, and several countries in Europe.
See also
- Art in Canada
- Contemporary art museums
- List of art museums
- List of museums in Toronto
