The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA Jacksonville) is a contemporary art museum located in Jacksonville, Florida. It was founded in 1924 as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society, making it the first organization in Jacksonville devoted to the visual arts. The museum acquired its permanent home, the historic Western Union Telegraph Building, in late 1999 and was completely refurbished to house the museum’s galleries, educational facilities, and other amenities. The renovation was completed in 2003, culminating in a grand re-opening in May of that year. After moving to its downtown location, the museum experienced rapid growth in both membership and the size of the permanent collection.
MOCA Jacksonville is one of the largest contemporary art institutions in the Southeastern United States and presents exhibitions by international, national, and regional artists. Its changing exhibitions feature the works of contemporary artists working in a wide assortment of media, including painting, sculpture, and video. The museum’s educational programming includes children’s literacy initiatives and weekend art-making classes, as well as regular tours, lectures, films, and publications for both children and adults. The University of North Florida acquired the museum in 2009 to act as a cultural resource of the university.
MOCA Jacksonville continues to be a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s multibillion-dollar downtown revitalization plan. Its exhibitions and programming bring new visitors to the civic core during the day, at night, and on weekends.
