What do you think about MOCA's mission?
“The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville promotes the discovery, knowledge, and advancement of the art, artists, and ideas of our time.”
I am immediately drawn to MOCA's mission: it is artist focused, energized, and about feeding and nourishing our natural curiosity. Art from any time or place allows us insight into the context from which it has come--and contemporary art, therefore, tells us something of the society that we are all part of, allowing us to understand the world around us in perhaps a different or more holistic way than we did before.
What do you see as MOCA's strengths?
MOCA occupies a beautiful building in a wonderful downtown location, and yet with a strong affiliation to the University of North Florida. In this way, it has the opportunity to be enriched by and contribute to all of the research and scholarship currently underway at UNF, across all of its various departments, but at the same time, connect directly with the local and regional audience of Jacksonville. It can therefore operate as something of a gateway or bridge, directly connecting the campus with the wider community.
And, of course, the exhibitions and education programs have been growing in strength over the past number of years, together with the Permanent Collection. There are so many great projects underway, and I am excited to develop these even further in the future.
But perhaps MOCA's greatest strength is the genuine commitment to develop and be successful that I have felt from all involved with the Museum, from it's amazing staff, to the Trustees, to visitors, to staff and students at UNF. Everyone is excited about what the future holds, and for a new director coming into post, that sense of momentum is a wonderful asset!