BOULDER, CO.- The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of Historic Boulder’s 2009 Award of Merit in recognition of distinguished accomplishment in historic preservation for the renovation of the entry and main gallery. Presented to Penny Barnow and Joan Markowitz, BMoCA’s former Co-Directors, the award was accepted on March 14, 2010 by David Dadone, BMoCA’s Executive Director.

On January 1, 2009, BMoCA closed it’s doors for five months to complete The City of Boulder’s renovation which included installing an elevator and reorienting the gallery spaces making the building user friendly and compliant with regulations enforced by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In addition, the entry space to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was executed by The University of Colorado Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning “Design Build” class of 2009 led by professors Rick Sommerfeld Rob Pyatt. For ten years, this class has impacted a broad-based community by partnering with non-profit organizations and translating architectural theory into practical application. Through the College of Architecture and Planning’s community outreach initiative, the university and the museum gained vital support from businesses and individuals who were inspired by its importance and relevance to the region. Making a connection to Colorado and addressing issues of sustainability, the new design uses salvaged and recycled materials when appropriate. These materials include; beetle kill pine and engineered wood in the framing lumber, recycled steel and stainless steel in the desk and toe-kicks and reclaimed wood.

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art is dedicated to the presentation and exploration of significant art of our time. Through innovative exhibitions and educational programming featuring regional, national and international artists, the museum strives to engage its communities and visitors with the forefront and evolution of contemporary art. The museum is based in a historic landmark building in downtown Boulder.