Established in 1979, we are the only artist-founded museum in Los Angeles. We are dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. We house one of the most compelling collections of contemporary art in the world, comprising roughly 7000 objects, and have a diverse history of ground-breaking, historically-significant exhibitions.
We are committed to the collection, presentation, and interpretation of art created after 1940, in all media, and to preserving that work for future generations. We provide leadership in the field by identifying and presenting the most significant and challenging art of our time, actively supporting the creation of new work, and producing original scholarship.
With three distinct venues in Los Angeles—MOCA Grand Avenue, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, and MOCA Pacific Design Center—and Michael Heizer’s seminal artwork Double Negative (1969-70) in the Nevada desert, we engage audiences through an ambitious program of exhibitions, educational programs, and publishing.
Contemporary Art Start (CAS), MOCA’s yearlong school partnership program, connects students with the transformative power of art, both in the classroom and at the museum. At school, students explore diverse and engaging works of contemporary art through facilitated discussions led by their teachers using the Contemporary Art Start: Visual Thinking Strategies Curriculum. Beyond the classroom, students visit MOCA twice annually for staff-led tours and discussions that reinforce lessons introduced at school. Students receive unlimited-use passes to visit MOCA with their families and are specially invited to participate in Sunday Studio, MOCA’s free art-making program for makers of all ages and experience levels. Each June, MOCA culminates the CAS school year with Student Art Connection, for which teacher-nominated students lead discussions and activities in MOCA’s galleries.