Utah Museum of Contemporary Art facts for kids
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| Former name | Salt Lake Art Center |
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| Established | 1931 |
| Location | 20 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Architect | FFKR Architects |
The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) is a cool place in Salt Lake City, Utah, where you can see amazing modern art. It used to be called the Salt Lake Art Center. This museum shows different art exhibits from artists who live nearby, across the country, and even from other parts of the world. They have six special rooms, called galleries, where they display all the art.
Contents
History of UMOCA
The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art started way back in 1931. It was first known as the Art Barn Association. A lady named Alta Rawlins Jensen, who loved art, had a dream. She wanted a place where art could be shown, sold, and encouraged.
Early Years and Growth
In the 1930s, the Art Barn mostly helped artists from Utah. They also created a magazine called Art Bulletin. This magazine shared news about art events and reviews. The Art Barn became a non-profit organization in 1939. This meant it was set up to help the community, not just to make money.
By the early 1940s, the Art Barn was a respected art place. It even showed art by famous artists from other countries. One time, they displayed oil paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
Becoming the Salt Lake Art Center
In 1958, the organization changed its name to the Salt Lake Art Center (SLAC). This new name showed that it was growing and doing more for the community. Two years later, they hired their first full-time director to lead the museum.
A new building for the museum was designed by Edward Joe Ruben and FFKR Architects. It was finished in 1978 in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. In 1979, SLAC moved into this new building. It had much more space for all the art.
In 1981, people from Salt Lake City and the National Endowment for the Arts asked an Abstract artist named Ilya Bolotowsky to create an outdoor sculpture. This tall, 24-foot stainless steel column is called Column 24. It stands between the museum and Abravanel Hall.
UMOCA Today
In 2011, SLAC changed its name again to the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA). This new name clearly showed that the museum focuses on modern art. Since then, UMOCA has grown its art shows and community programs. It has received money from the Andy Warhol Foundation multiple times. It also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2015.
Since 2011, UMOCA has worked with the Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation. They give out the Catherine Doctorow Prize for Contemporary Painting every two years. This award goes to a talented new or growing artist who shows fresh ideas in modern art. Past winners include Firelei Báez (2015), Tala Madani (2013), and Kim Schoenstadt (2011).
Museum Spaces
UMOCA has two floors and six different galleries. Besides the art spaces, the museum also has rooms for events and rentals. These include a lobby, a courtyard, an auditorium with 155 seats, and meeting rooms. UMOCA also has a special studio for education, studios for artists who live there for a while, and an art shop. The shop sells unique art made by local artists.
The Salt Lake Art Center Photo School is also inside the museum. It offers classes for all skill levels in photography and digital imaging. There is also a darkroom and lab for students and the public to use.
Art Galleries
- Main Gallery: This is the biggest gallery at UMOCA. It is on the lower floor. Two large group or solo art shows are displayed here each year.
- Street Gallery: This is the second largest gallery. It shows both solo and group exhibits. It also features a solo show by the winner of the Catherine Doctorow Prize. The art here changes every 2 to 4 months.
- Codec Gallery: This gallery shows a series of solo exhibits. These often match the theme of the art in the Main Gallery. Shows here change every 2 to 3 months.
- Projects Gallery: This gallery is at the front of the museum. It shows art by artists who work in Utah. These artists can suggest their own exhibits, like special installations. The art here changes every 1 to 2 months.
- A-I-R Space: This gallery is on the lower floor. It is just for artists who are part of UMOCA's Artists-in-Residence Program. At the end of their time there, each artist gets to show their work in this museum space. The art here changes every month.
- Ed. Space: This is UMOCA's newest gallery. It is near the Education Studio. The art here is connected to the museum's programs for kids and families. These programs include tours, workshops, and art projects.
Museum Programs
UMOCA offers many educational and community programs. These include tours, art activities, films, art talks, community events, and workshops.
Learning Programs
Programs for young people include the UMOCA Art Truck. This is a traveling art exhibit that visits schools and public places all over Utah. They also have free hands-on art projects on the second Saturday of every month. Summer camps and workshops are also offered. Special tours are available for families with young children or children who are sensitive to certain things.
Another important program is the Artists-in-Residence Program. This is a long-term program that helps artists living and working in Utah.
Community Connections
The museum often has programs for the whole community. These include art talks and guided tours of exhibits. They also have film and lecture series. Workshops with visiting artists and curators are also common. UMOCA works with other art groups and community gardens to create special projects.
Out Loud Program
Since 2015, UMOCA has created a special art program for young LGBTQ+ high school students in Utah. Through workshops over several weeks, these teenage artists get to try new art forms. They develop their artistic voices with help from local queer artists and museum mentors. Their final project shows what they learned and their experiences. This art is displayed in the museum, usually from late April to early June.
Past Exhibitions
The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art does not collect art permanently. Instead, it focuses on showing new exhibits. These exhibits include both solo and group shows. They usually change every two to six months. Here are some notable exhibitions that have been shown since 2011:
- Kate Ericson & Mel Ziegler, and Mel Ziegler's Grandma's Cupboard (August 28 - December 19, 2015): This show featured important art projects from the late 20th century by Ericson and Ziegler. It also included works from Ziegler's solo career.
- Bikuben (June 27 - December 20, 2014): This was a group show that looked at modern Danish art. It helped people understand how the present can connect to the past. It also highlighted the interesting links between Denmark and Utah, especially in ideas about progress and new ways of doing things.
- Analogital (January 18 - April 20, 2013): This exhibit featured artists from around the world. Their art explored ideas about the space between old-style (analog) and new-style (digital) technology.
- Battleground States (October 5, 2012 – January 5, 2013): This show brought together artists who looked closely at visual culture and gender studies. Through videos, sculptures, installations, and photos, each artwork explored how figures and identity are connected.
- Your Land/My Land: Election '12 by Jonathan Horowitz: This was a special exhibit that happened during the 2012 American presidential election. UMOCA joined other museums, like the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and the New Museum in New York City, in showing this art installation.
