Expansion Plans /

MOCA Expansion is smart, true to roots - The Miami Herald, September 18, 2011

The expansion of the Museum of Contemporary Art's Joan Lehman Building will more than double MOCA's overall space to 54,000 square feet and more than triple its current exhibition space to 23, 730 square feet.  The expansion will allow the public ongoing access to the museum's permanent collection, provide an education wing for classes and public programs, expanded space to present concurrent exhibitions and permanent collection, a new art storage facility and enhanced public areas.  The LEED certified building will be iconic while providing the ultimate flexibility in programmatic space.  The expansion plan is designed by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman + Associates Architects. 

The Museum of Contemporary Art's current Joan Lehman Building opened in February 1996. Designed by Charles Gwathmey and Robert Siegel of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, MOCA's distinctive building and plaza has been heralded for its construction and functional design executed on a $3.75 million budget. Internationally recognized for innovative exhibitions and programs, the museum played a major role in catapulting Miami into the international art world. As the only major arts institution in North Miami-Dade County, MOCA is a cultural resource for the entire community, offering a wide range of innovative programs and exhibitions that highlight the spirit of contemporary art. MOCA's permanent collection reflects the most important developments in contemporary art.

MOCA Executive Director Bonnie Clearwater stated, "This expansion comes at a pivotal time for MOCA as we commemorate our 15^th anniversary. We have literally outgrown our building. MOCA has an international profile and at the same time is an intimate place where the entire community feels welcome. In the planning for the museum's expansion, our Board of Trustees, supporters, and staff felt that it was essential that the expansion be consistent with MOCA's unique quality and exhibitions and education programs, as well as meet the goals of our mission."

"The plan is flexible, allowing for the museum's future growth as well as developments in contemporary art. MOCA's permanent collection is a vital part of the museum and we are thrilled that we soon will be able to offer the public access to it year-round in North Miami and have an education wing that will serve thousands of children, teens and adults."

Following a presentation on the MOCA expansion at the North Miami City Council meeting on September 12, 2011, North Miami  Mayor Andre D. Pierre, Esq. said, "MOCA has done so much for North Miami - it's put us on the international map, while still having a local focus.  MOCA serves thousands of students annually through its education programs, most of whom are children of very diverse backgrounds.  In its first 15 years, MOCA has fueled the economy here in North Miami, and it will have an even larger effect with the expansion."

The museum has experienced enormous growth in major gifts to its permanent collection, its membership, and fundraising events, and has steadily increased public programming. In February 2007, MOCA received its single largest gift of artwork in its history from collectors Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz. The gift, which is jointly shared with London's Tate, includes the groundbreaking works, No Ghost Just A Shell, a multi-media project by 17 international artists originated by Pierre Huyghe and Philippe Parreno, and the monumental installation, Zero Hero by artist John Bock.

COST AND FUNDING
The estimated cost of the project is a little over $13.5 million. The expansion will be funded by a variety of public and private sources. MOCA will soon launch a capital and endowment campaign, which will include naming opportunities for the new building. Funding for the concept plan phase was generously provided by MOCA Board Chairman Michael Collins and his wife Sandy.

NEW ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROVIDES:

- 16,200 square footage of additional flexible gallery space on a second floor. By dramatically floating the new galleries above, the expansion will preserve the existing landmark Gwathmey-Siegel building.  The new roof provides an outdoor exhibition space.

- Multi-purpose education and events space on the ground floor for performances, concerts, films, education programs, lectures, special events, and temporary exhibitions that will enable MOCA to have a permanent facility in which to present these programs for the first time.

- 6985 square foot ground floor education wing, which will include classrooms for studio art, art history, and museum studies. MOCA's current administrative offices will be renovated to create this space.

- 4000 square feet of additional state-of-the-art, climate controlled art storage space, and a separate 600 square foot workshop

- Expanded gift shop

- Grand Stair and Passenger Elevators accessing the second level

- New administrative offices on ground floor

NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS

The expansion will make it possible for the public to have continuous access to MOCA's permanent collection. Among the pivotal gifts that have been made to MOCA's collection are: Diorama, 1997, by Thomas Hirschhorn, gift of the Martin Z. Margulies Foundation; Cargo Cult, 2005 by Jose Bedia, purchased with funds provided by Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz and Diane and Robert Moss, Untitled (Swimming Pool), 1996, by Teresita Fernandez, gift of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, Soup Course at the She She Café, 1982, by Ed and Nancy Kienholz, gift of Irma Braman, John Baldessari's Three Red Paintings, 1999, Gift of the Lannan Foundation, Ernesto Neto's Un pe de Sonho, 1997, Gift of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, More Moor Morals and Morass, 1994, by Jason Rhoades, gift of Eileen and Peter Norton, Jennifer Steinkamp's video projection installation, Smokescreen, 1995-2004, gift of the artist, Dara Friedman's 16 mm film installation, Bim Bam, 1999, museum purchase with funds provided by Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz, and John Espinosa's mixed media installation, Standing Still While Moving Across Land, gift of Mario Cader-Frech and Robert S. Wennett.

The expansion will enable MOCA to present multiple exhibitions simultaneously.  Currently, the museum must close to the public for up to two and a half weeks at a time during installation of exhibitions. The expansion will enable MOCA to have exhibitions continuously on view. Increased attendance will also benefit North Miami restaurants and businesses.

The expansion will provide a dedicated education wing with classrooms that will be used by the MOCA Art Institute, which offers comprehensive educational programs in art and communications for 20,000 children, teens, and adults annually. There is a growing need for the museum's art education program in the North Miami area and MOCA has established a partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The expansion will make MOCA's resources available to an increased number of Miami-Dade County Public Schools students through a partnership with MDCPS's North Miami Museums Magnet Schools.  MOCA creates innovative programs for the public schools, including a museum studies program for high school students, programs at the elementary and middle school level, and training that actively educates teachers on how they can utilize the resources of MOCA and other museums to enhance their curriculum.

The creation of an education wing will allow MOCA to expand the MOCA Art Institute's education programs for children, teens, and adults. At present, MOCA offers a wide range of education programs, yet does not have permanent classroom or studio space. The museum currently utilizes its pavilion gallery, boardroom, and storage area for education programs. Among the museum's education programs are lectures, seminars, and artist presentations for adults, the Junior Docent program, studio art, journalism, and fashion design classes for teens, Creative Arts and StART Together for children and preschoolers, and the nationally-recognized Women on Rise! outreach program for teenage girls and MOCA Art Corps for young men.  Literacy is an important component of MOCA education programs, and the museum will be able to offer programs emphasizing writing and literacy, beneficial to speakers for whom English is a second language.

The expansion will provide a flexible space for presenting lectures, films, and performances. The museum currently does not have a multi-purpose space in which to present these types of programs. The museum's storage area or pavilion gallery is currently used for such events. Because of limited space, programs are often standing-room only. Expanded public programs will also increase the number of visitors to MOCA and North Miami.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is an international museum located in the heart of Downtown North Miami. MOCA is known for its outstanding exhibitions and programs serving diverse audiences, and has played a major role in the establishment of Miami as an international art hub. As the only major arts institution in Northeast Miami-Dade County, MOCA serves as a cultural resource for the community, offering a wide range of innovative programs that highlight the spirit of contemporary art.

The expansion and renovation of the Museum of Contemporary Art will totally transform the existing building, maintaining a public plaza and entry on N.E. 125th Street while fulfilling additional new programmatic requirements.

PLANNED MOCA EXPANSION

ARCHITECT OF CONCEPT PLAN
Gwathmey Siegel  Kaufman & Associates, New York

ESTIMATED COST
The projected cost of the project is estimated at a little over $13.5 million ($12.5 million construction cost)

FUNDING
The expansion will be funded by a variety of public and private sources.

Through a competitive bid process, the New York-based firm Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman + Associates Architects in association with R.J. Heisenbottle Architects, Miami was selected for the architectural and engineeing design services, which are not to exceed $1.15 million, funded through the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency.

PROJECT COMPLETION
The expansion is estimated to be completed in 2014.