UNF considering acquisition of MOCA Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

The possibility of acquiring the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville was to be on the agenda at the Oct. 2 meeting of the University of North Florida President John Delaney and the Board of Trustees according to material sent to members of the board.

A committee from the university has been formed to look into MOCA Jacksonville’s collection, building and financial situation, but the board’s permission is required to develop or pursue any substantive agreements between the two institutions.

http://news.jacksonville.com/justin/2008/10/02/unf-considering-acquisition-of-moca-jacksonville/

[jacksonvilleconfidential]

I think that would be awesome. The peeps at UNF would give MOCA some much needed attention.

[Jason]

Definitely.  Throw in an art college downtown to compliment the museum and things would really get rolling.

[ProjectMaximus]

Definitely.  Throw in an art college downtown to compliment the museum and things would really get rolling.

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/jacksonville/AboutUs/FacilitiesandResources.aspx
Can we move them? I like "Our facility is conveniently located in Jacksonville and easily accessible by public transit"

[Jason]

I'm sure they'd look into moving with a little help from the city.  Getting them downtown could be great for them.

[Ocklawaha]

Definitely.  Throw in an art college downtown to compliment the museum and things would really get rolling.

While I agree with your concept and cheer UNF for the proposal, I guess the old dog will always see JU as THE ART COLLEGE OF FLORIDA. Maybe they could co-op?

OCKLAWAHA

[reednavy]

Surprised it took this long to make press. I heard this at ArtWalk in June!

[copperfiend]

Definitely.  Throw in an art college downtown to compliment the museum and things would really get rolling.

http://www.artinstitutes.edu/jacksonville/AboutUs/FacilitiesandResources.aspx
Can we move them? I like "Our facility is conveniently located in Jacksonville and easily accessible by public transit"

Unfortunately, they are snuggled in the suburbs right next to Florida Coastal School of Law. Ah, what could have been.

[urbanlibertarian]

If we got an art college downtown we'd be just like Savannah! 

[coredumped]

An article was published in the school paper regarding this:
http://www.unfspinnaker.com/news/2008/10/08/downtown-skyline-home-to-unf-expansion/

[thelakelander]

Welcome to the site and thanks for the link, coredumped.  Hopefully UNF's plans will payoff for them and downtown.

The proposal will give UNF control of more than $10 million worth of art, and the university plans to run two art courses in the 16,000-square-foot museum in the spring to test-run the facility, Shuman said.

The museum has two art studios and an auditorium for university classes. Shuman said UNF could possibly rent out the space to other local colleges seeking to offer a course downtown.

One of the university’s major concerns is parking downtown, so it is looking into possibly offering an art shuttle from the central campus to the museum, said Debra Murphy, chair of the Art Department.

[ProjectMaximus]

Yeah! This seems like the first small step toward something that could be terrific.

An article was published in the school paper regarding this:
http://www.unfspinnaker.com/news/2008/10/08/downtown-skyline-home-to-unf-expansion/

[Charles Hunter]

Why would UNF go to the expense of an "Art Shuttle"?  Why can't the students park and ride the Skyway?  It would probably be cheaper to buy passes than run a shuttle bus.

[thelakelander]

Good question and alternative solution.  Perhaps JTA and UNF can make a deal where UNF students can ride the buses and skyway for free?

[Charles Hunter]

Isn't that the way it works at UF?  The student fees include passes on the Gainesville bus system?