NORTH MIAMI, FL.- The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) unveiled architectural plans for the expansion and renovation of its Joan Lehman Building in North Miami during a presentation at the museum. The expansion, designed by world-renowned architect Charles Gwathmey, triples MOCA’s current exhibition space in North Miami and offers the public ongoing access to its permanent collection. The 24,000 square-foot expansion (20,000 square feet of new and 4,000 square feet of remodeled space) of MOCA’s current 23,000 square foot facility also will include such features as an education wing, expanded space to present concurrent exhibitions and public programs, new art storage facility, and enhanced public areas.

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Joan Lehman Building opened in February 1996. Designed by Charles Gwathmey of Gwathmey Siegel & Associates, 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 performances 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. 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 not compromise MOCAs unique quality or its exhibitions and education programs, and that it would increase our programming to meet the goals of our mission.”

MOCA Chairman Irma Braman stated, “Charles Gwathmey has a tremendous understanding of MOCA’s history and vision, and is responsive to MOCA’s changing needs. His 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.”

North Miami Mayor Kevin A. Burns stated, “The Museum of Contemporary Art has built a reputation that is recognized throughout the world and we are proud to be the home of such a world-class art museum. We are committed to the arts and to fine architectural design in our city. On a local level, the Museum of Contemporary Art has played a vital role in North Miami’s downtown development in the past ten years. The museum expansion promises to be yet another catalyst for future development in North Miami.”

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 being jointly shared with Tate, Great Britain’s premier museum, and 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 German artist John Bock.

The estimated cost of the project is between $17 and $18 million. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2008 with an estimated completion date of 2010. The museum and its administrative offices will remain open during construction.

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 member Michael Collins and his wife Sandy.


NEW ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROVIDES:

16,500 square feet of additional flexible gallery space, contiguous to both the lobby and existing gallery, presenting a new facade to the street that will bring the museum closer in line with the business and cultural corridor of NE 125th Street

4,600+ square foot second floor, multi-purpose space for performances, concerts, films, 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.

3,500 square foot, ground floor education wing, which will include classrooms and for studio art, art history, and museum studies. MOCA’s current administrative offices will be renovated to create this space.

4,300 square feet of additional state-of-the-art, climate controlled art storage space, and a separate workshop

1,500 square foot skylit reception area, connecting lobby to courtyard, creating a flexible indoor/outdoor space for receptions and events

Creation of an additional convenient entrance from parking lots via building’s existing courtyard

New sculpture roof terrace with a major exterior staircase connecting to the public plaza over a new reflecting pool that will provide seating area for the public and museum visitors

New lobby, restrooms, elevator, expanded gift shop, and grand stair accessing a second level

New second floor administrative offices and art research library.