A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Welcome to the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Virginia’s leading contemporary art museum and cultural resource to the City of Virginia Beach, with ever-changing exhibitions showcasing the work of regionally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. A humble beginning, Virginia MOCA emerged from an art sale held in 1952 to benefit an artist who had become ill. Inspired by this successful event, the organizing artists founded the Virginia Beach Art Association (VBAA). Having no permanent building, VBAA held summer art classes, lectures, and exhibitions in libraries and schools. In 1956, the organization formed its first outdoor art show along the oceanfront boardwalk. This show called the Boardwalk Art Show, has become an annual four day event produced by MOCA and in keeping with tradition held Father’s Day weekend.
Just six blocks from the oceanfront, Virginia MOCA is a welcoming retreat in which to learn about significant art of our time. The Museum resides in a 38,500 square feet building owned and maintained by the City of Virginia Beach that houses galleries, classrooms, studios, special event spaces, a museum shop, and a 268-seat auditorium. An outdoor sculpture garden provides another gallery space for viewers’ enjoyment, teaching purposes, and concerts or events. Rotating exhibitions always provide something innovative, introducing our diverse visitors to a wide range of contemporary media from painting, sculpture, and video.
Art education being core to our institutional mission, Virginia MOCA consistently reaches approximately 30,000 school-age children a year through its various educational programs. Over 1,100 adult students attend Studio School classes, working with a variety of art media, including glass, clay, paint, digital photography, and mixed media. Annually a group of high school students participate in the Teen Apprenticeship Program. An 11 week program that introduces them to the inner workings of an art museum, as well as possibilities for careers related to art. The Young Contemporaries group regularly sponsors educational activities and social events targeted to engage a young diverse generation of contemporary art advocates. As an involved community partner, Virginia MOCA works collaboratively on art projects with local organizations, Samaritan House, The Lighthouse Center, Waves, Words & Wonder: Building Science Literacy project, Bayside Special Service Library to name a few.
Virginia MOCA has something for everyone. Please come visit often and experience the Art of Now.
Imagination is more important than knowledge -Albert Einstein
Debi Gray
Executive Director
