UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA
MOCA IS A CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF UNF
The partnership between MOCA Jacksonville and the University of North Florida enlightens, inspires, and transforms the lives of students, faculty, MOCA audiences, and the greater community by shaping a deeper recognition and appreciation of the art and ideas of our time and their relationship to other disciplines.
In 2009, MOCA became a direct support organization of UNF. As a result, the museum works closely with the university to expand cultural learning opportunities for students while providing professional enrichment for faculty and staff. On a programmatic level, MOCA hosts faculty-curated exhibitions in the UNF Gallery, as well as museum-based classes in MOCA’s classrooms and auditorium. Moreover, the partnership enables students and faculty to collaborate with visiting artists and scholars and work directly with objects from the museum’s collection. In turn, UNF supports the museum through financial contributions and administrative resources that bolster MOCA’s ability to create excellent programming. These efforts benefit all MOCA visitors and the community at large. While serving as a cultural institute of UNF, the museum retains its own independent 501(c)3 status, a separate Board of Trustees, and responsibility for supporting the majority of its operating budget.
FOR UNF STUDENTS
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT
MOCA Jacksonville provides University of North Florida students with many opportunities to broaden and deepen their education. MOCA functions as an academic think tank for the art, artists, and ideas of our time, and students are invited to be actively engaged.
FREE ADMISSION & MEMBERSHIP
UNF students can register for free to become Student Level Members, which includes benefits such as free admission and program discounts. Students can also upgrade to a full membership for just $25 to access even more benefits! Learn more on our Membership Page.
UNF STUDENT ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
Seniors in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design may apply for this highly competitive opportunity that awards access to a MOCA Jacksonville art studio and exhibition space to complete a new body of work and hone skills over the course of a final semester.
Residency Info & Opportunities
MOCA AMBASSADORS
This paid position is offered exclusively to UNF students from any academic department. MOCA Ambassadors play a key role in activating the museum’s mission to “promote the discovery, knowledge, and advancement of the art, artists, and ideas of our time.” MOCA Ambassadors act as in-gallery educators, assist with guest relations and customer service, and provide special event staffing. They gain useful professional knowledge that can be broadly applied to many fields.
INTERNSHIPS
The internship program at MOCA Jacksonville offers undergraduate and graduate students an exciting opportunity to gain real experience in a contemporary art museum. Internships are available throughout the year in marketing, curatorial, education, and operations.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
UNF students who are eligible for and accept Federal Work Study (FWS) funding may apply to the MOCA Jacksonville team. Part-time positions are offered in a variety of departments, providing valuable experiences to students from any academic department. Visit our employment page to see current openings.
CLASSES AT MOCA
UNF's Department of Art, Art History, and Design offers various classes throughout the year that are held at the museum. Check the course catalog for more details.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
MOCA Jacksonville holds many of free events throughout the year, including artist talks, film screenings, concerts, and performances. As museum members, students also receive discounts on programs.
FOR UNF EMPLOYEES
UNF FACULTY & STAFF RECEIVE BENEFITS & PERKS
UNF Faculty and Staff are offered professional development and partnership opportunities with the museum, as well as unique membership benefits.
FREE ADMISSION & MEMBERSHIP
UNF Employees can register for free to become Staff Level Members, which includes benefits such as free admission for the staff member and a guest and discounts on programs and camps. Learn more on our UNF Membership Page.
CLASS TOURS
MOCA Jacksonville partners with UNF faculty to provide tours specifically designed to enhance the content of each class. Tours can be led by faculty or by a Museum Educator. Reach out to our Education team to learn more about hosting a tour at mocaeducation@unf.edu.
UNF GALLERY AT MOCA
UNF faculty curate exhibitions in a dedicated gallery on MOCA Jacksonville's second floor. The Museum holds free receptions for the opening of each of these exhibitions with opportunities to meet the artists. Reach out to our Curatorial team to learn more at mocacuratorial@unf.edu.
CLASSES AT MOCA
Whether you want to host a single day of classes at MOCA or an entire semester, you have the ability to utilize the museum’s unique environment to engage your students. MOCA’s campus includes art studio and classrooms spaces, gallery access, dark room, theater, and more. Reach out to our team to learn more about hosting your class at MOCA at hellomoca@unf.edu.
COLLABORATE WITH MOCA
MOCA’s team regularly collaborates with UNF faculty and staff to develop and host programs and learning opportunities. From lectures and panel discussions to films and performances to special projects offering hands-on learning opportunities, the MOCA’s staff is always open to ideas for meaningful collaboration with the University team. Reach out to our team to learn more about collaborations at hellomoca@unf.edu.
UNF IMPACT
ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF
MOCA is committed to creating a place where staff and students feel they can interact with and learn from museum content, enjoy entertainment and enrichment opportunities, view art and ideas from around the world, and engage in career development opportunities that prepare students for life after graduation. Beyond those directly affiliated with the university, MOCA enables UNF to reach audiences and impact communities around the world through intellectual and cultural exchange, partnerships, and professional leadership.
ART & EXHIBITIONS
In the past few years, MOCA Jacksonville has hosted and planned 13 exhibitions with direct connections to the university. These exhibitions engaged more than 100 faculty, staff, student, and alumni artists. Of these, two were featured exhibitions; five were held in the UNF Gallery at MOCA, which is programmed in collaboration with UNF's Department of Art, Art History, and Design; four were pop-up exhibitions on the first floor of the museum, which is accessible to the community for free; and two featured our annual UNF Student Artists-in-Residence.
As a collecting institution, MOCA acquires works of art based on its collecting priorities while also supporting the acquisition of regional artists. Within this focus the museum has been able to underscore the strength of professional contemporary artists who have graduated from UNF, including through the recent acquisition of works by Doug Eng, Deja Echols, and Anna Membrino.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
MOCA offers a variety of opportunities for students to earn the skills and knowledge they will need to be successful in the workforce. Among these are opportunities for arts professional development that connects students with professional artists through conversations, studio visits, artwork critique and discussion, and project collaborations; the chance to gain meaningful professional experience through internships, fellowships, residencies, and paid employment; events where student talent is featured through performances, displays, exhibitions, and sales; and partnerships with professors that enrich student learning through tours, lectures, and special projects.
INTELLECTUAL EXCHANGE
MOCA leadership works to build relationships through collaboration, and intellectual exchange, supporting both UNF and the museum by contributing to the development of our community, as well as the local, national, and international cultural dialogue. Over the past few years, MOCA staff have been involved in 22 leadership roles with partner organizations, contributed 14 articles and presentations to professionals in arts fields, and worked with other UNF staff to develop a wide variety of partnerships that resulted in local programming and international attention.
MOCA regularly collaborates with other institutions of higher learning, acting as a connector for universities and colleges across the country and around the world. The museum has recently developed higher education partnerships with seven institutions of higher learning beyond UNF in order to share knowledge, tour exhibitions, and develop meaningful content for audiences in Northeast Florida and within UNF.