JACKSONVILLE, FLA.- Marcelle Polednik, director and chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, is leaving the organization to be director of the Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin. Margaret Gellatly, chair of the MOCA Board of Trustees, made the announcement.

Polednik led the organization during a period of financial and artistic revitalization. She joined MOCA Jacksonville after serving as assistant curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art and chief curator of the Monterey Museum of Art. Polednik holds a PhD in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University and has curated numerous exhibitions at MOCA.

“Her strong artistic vision and keen intellect elevated conversations about art and culture in our community and encouraged us to think differently about the role it plays in our lives,” Gellatly said. “We deeply appreciate Marcelle’s significant contributions to MOCA’s maturation and we look forward to extending MOCA’s contribution to the exploration of the art, artists, and ideas of our time.”

During Polednik’s more than five years at MOCA, significant artistic and financial accomplishments were achieved by the leadership, Board, and staff, including:

• A significant increase in the number and quality of exhibitions, with a particular emphasis on self-curated exhibitions.

• Creation of a newly activated exhibition space to launch “Project Atrium,ˆ a series that showcases site-specific and site-sensitive installations by emerging and mid-career artists.

• Significant endowment growth, led by a $5 million gift from local businessman Preston H. Haskell, ensuring MOCA’s future as a thriving and important educational resource.

• Reinforcement of important ties with local and national art organizations including the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville; the Renate, Hans and Maria Hofmann Trust; and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

• Increasing awareness, recognition, and engagement of MOCA by visitors, students, members, patrons, educators, and the local community.

• A savvy rebranding of the organization, including a redesigned website, renamed museum restaurant, and the launch of a popular blog.

• An in-depth audit and chronicling of the nearly 1,000-piece Permanent Collection, including paintings, prints, sculpture, and photographs.

Polednik concludes her work at MOCA Jacksonville on July 15, 2016. A committee will be appointed by Gellatly, in conjunction with UNF, to conduct the national search for Polednik’s successor.