Founded in 1979, MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art. It is committed to the collection, presentation, and interpretation of work produced since 1940 in all media, and to preserving that work for future generations. -- http://www.moca.org
According to MOCA, their mission is:
"MOCA's mission is to be the defining museum of contemporary art. MOCA engages artists and audiences through an ambitious program of exhibitions, collection, education, and publication. MOCA identifies and supports the most significant and challenging art of its time, places it in historical context, and links the range of the visual arts to contemporary culture. MOCA provides leadership by actively fostering and presenting new work, emerging media, and original scholarship."
In Greater Los Angeles, there are three locations of MOCA:
- The main branch is located on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, near Walt Disney Concert Hall.
- MOCA's original space, initially intended as a "temporary" exhibit space while the main facility was built, is now known as the Geffen Contemporary, in the Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles.
- The Pacific Design Center facility is in nearby West Hollywood.
The MOCA downtown Los Angeles location is home to almost 5,000 artworks created since 1940, including masterpieces by classic contemporary artists, and inspiring new works by emerging and mid-career artists from Southern California and around the world. The MOCA is the only museum in Los Angeles devoted exclusively to contemporary art.
While the Grand Avenue facility was being planned and under construction, MOCA opened an interim exhibition space called the "Temporary Contemporary" in the fall of 1983. This location is called "The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA".
In 2000, MOCA opened a 3,000 square ft. exhibition space at the Pacific Design Center to present new work by emerging and established artists as well as ancillary programs based upon its major exhibitions and renowned permanent collection. MOCA also utilizes the 384-seat PDC auditorium for a range of public programs.
The Pacific Design Center, a 1.2 million square foot landmark building designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates in West Hollywood, features showrooms of traditional and contemporary furnishings. -- http://www.pacificdesigncenter.com/
sources:
http://www.moca.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Contemporary_Art,_Los_Angeles