Mission
The mission of the Museum of Contemporary Art is to provide a forum for the development and exchange of ideas about the art of our time. Through varied programs, MOCA supports the critical interpretation and display of the highest quality of contemporary art in service to our community as a public trust.
History
The Museum of Contemporary Art (moca) was founded in the fall of 1997, having evolved from an artist-run alternative art space. Founded by artists Julia Latane and James Graham and financier David Wright with aid from Toole Shed Studio founder Dave Lewis, moca was established to help fill a void in the cultural landscape of Tucson and to provide a much-needed venue to showcase the avant-garde work of local and international artists. moca is Tucson’s only public institution devoted exclusively to the art of our time and is committed to supporting the critical interpretation and display of the highest quality of contemporary art in service to our community as a public trust. To that end, moca has developed strategic alliances with other institutions in the downtown area, resulting in satellite gallery space at the Tucson Children’s Museum and The Screening Room in an effort to bring contemporary art to non-traditional audiences.
