“Almost none kept up with the ambition and rigor of MOCA’s exhibitions and publications, or the speed with which a world-class art collection was assembled in just a few years.” “Many ‘MOCAs’ around the world have followed,” he said.
Govan said those facilities, along with major gifts and acquisitions such as the Panza Collection, have helped make Los Angeles a “world power” in contemporary art. MOCA opened the Temporary Contemporary - now The Geffen - in 1983 and MOCA at Grand Avenue in 1986. LACMA’s strong leadership, its history of fundraising and its support from Los Angeles County and other donors will provide MOCA with the stability it deserves.” “MOCA’s downtown location, extraordinary collection and devoted constituency, combined with LACMA’s modern art masterpieces, large audiences and broad educational outreach would create a cultural institution that is much more than the sum of its parts. “LACMA’s mission is to share world-class art with the widest array of audiences possible,” Govan wrote. He said LACMA has sought to increase its contemporary art identity through its support of artists such as Chris Burden (“Urban Light”), Michael Heizer (“Levitated Mass”), Robert Irwin and Barbara Kruger. Govan said MOCA is among the finest contemporary art museums, and has helped make contemporary art more mainstream. LACMA officials declined to be interviewed for this story, and MOCA officials did not return a request for comment. “Uniquely, LACMA/MOCA would become a general museum with a substantial commitment to contemporary art in three or more facilities designed expressly for that purpose.” “Combining MOCA and LACMA would create one of the largest and most significant art museum collections in the United States,” Govan wrote. MOCA, founded in 1979, has suffered financial problems since at least 2008. In a March 7 letter, Govan said MOCA officials recently approached LACMA about a possible merger. LACMA has strived to increase its contemporary art collection, as demonstrated by “Urban Light”, an exhibit in front of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum.