CLEVELAND, OH.- MOCA Cleveland is the city’s and the region’s source for the art and ideas of our time. It is a place where people come to converge with creative ideas. With 45 years of compelling programs and exhibitions in its past, MOCA’s future came to life during this dynamic inaugural year in its new home in Uptown. An icon of “cool” and a symbol of Cleveland’s urban revitalization, MOCA has attracted and engaged its neighbors and supporters to make an incredible impact and signal its importance to the region and beyond.

Enriching Engagement
In the first year in their new building, MOCA delivered significantly expanded audiences and benefits.

• 55,997 visitors took advantage of MOCA’s robust offerings—a 284% increase in attendance from MOCA’s recent past

• 50% of 2013 attendees visited MOCA for their first time

• Over 150 events—ranging from educational to entertainment to social—were held

• 650+ new members, membership tripling in MOCA’s new home

• 228% increase in adult and school group tours

• 41% of visitors live within 10 miles of MOCA, with remaining visitors traveling from other counties, states, and nations

The economic impact of MOCA’s visitors is dramatic. A new study by Mohr Partners confirms that MOCA visitors contribute:

• $2.8M in the City of Cleveland

• $2.3M in Cuyahoga County, beyond the City

An Anchor for Uptown
MOCA’s magnificent new building at the corner of Mayfield Road and Euclid Avenue acts as a beacon drawing people to University Circle’s Uptown and all it has to offer— established and emerging residential offerings, a growing restaurant and retail district, Toby’s Plaza at Case Western Reserve University, neighboring museums and cultural organizations. Surrounded by growth, with the Cleveland Institute of Art’s expansion and Uptown’s Phase II of residential development, MOCA is a key cultural driver that illuminates and enlivens the district.

• 82% of MOCA’s visitors are coming to University Circle specifically to visit the Museum

• 70% of MOCA’s visitors are eating at a surrounding restaurant and 24% are shopping while in the area

• 34% of MOCA’s visitors are visiting another cultural venue in the area

• Thousands of people engage in MOCA evening or weekend programs in Uptown, just outside of the building

Artistic Leadership
MOCA’s programs are impactful. Since their founding in 1968, MOCA has attracted attention by exhibiting works of once-emerging international artists such as Andy Warhol and gifted regional artists like Julian Stanczak, a tradition they carry forward.

At the core of their impact are their exhibitions. MOCA presented three robust program seasons in its inaugural year, featuring eight exhibitions that included over 40 artists from all over the world, 17 of whom were regional or local artists. Many of these artists have been engaged in residencies to create new works and mentor area college and high school students.

Philanthropic support in the first year has been a testament to the leadership of MOCA’s artistic program. New grants have been received from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, HUGO BOSS, and the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation.

Dynamic Programming
From artist and community talks to dance, poetry, and musical performances, MOCA’s programming has demonstrated the flexible and innovative uses of the building. Ongoing partnerships with the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and Progressive Arts Alliance have deepened with their move to University Circle. New collaborations have been created with Dobama Theatre, Groundworks DanceTheater, and the Experimedia music label that engage the building as an interactive stage. Outreach through tours, family programs, and free days increased the opportunity to engage a diverse group of visitors and collaborate with their new neighbors.

Evolution and Engagement
88% of visitors to MOCA’s new building said they would recommend a visit to friends or family. This is a high satisfaction rating for their first year, but they do not rest on it. They continue to observe and listen to their visitors. They continue to push the boundaries of what a “typical” museum experience means. They continue to experiment and evolve as they enter year two on Euclid Avenue.

And they continue to innovate. MOCA’s new urban location is a platform to engage with the Museum in new ways. The MOCA Store offers the best variety of contemporary design items in Cleveland. It is quickly becoming the go-to destination for distinctive jewelry, gifts, and home items that define personal style. MOCA à la cARTe provides healthy, organic snacking for students and visitors to University Circle—whether enjoying in the Museum or grabbing on the go. MOCA has hosted over 200 facility rentals in its first year, providing a unique backdrop for milestone events and the perfect meeting space for businesses aligned with innovation.

Global + Local Press Recognition

• 102 features about MOCA Cleveland and the region

• 15 architectural reviews of the new building and its impact on Cleveland

• MOCA Cleveland and its impact featured in over 15 countries including US, England, Russia, Germany, Iran, Canada, Taiwan, and Italy.