Sat 2/9 @ 9PM-1AM
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For half a century, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (moCa) has been Northeast Ohio’s epicenter of creativity and inspiration via artistic expression.
moCa’s roots were planted in late 1968 when it opened as the New Gallery, Cleveland’s first contemporary art gallery. Its first exhibit, The Metropolitan Scene, featured 28 artists including Andy Warhol, Claus Oldenburg and Christo, whose work brought the best in New York and L.A. cosmopolitan culture.
When it came time for moCa’s deputy director Megan Lykins Reich to plan the esteemed venue’s milestone anniversary, she realized a lot has changed in 50 years.
“The idea behind The Metropolitan Scene clearly was to introduce a metropolitan theme to Cleveland at a time when contemporary art wasn’t really thriving,” Reich said. “So thinking about how to commemorate that origin with an event that would be for our audience in Cleveland today, it occurred to me that in that 50-year time, Cleveland has become a metropolitan place, a cosmopolitan place and a place where culture is being made by amazing artists and innovators right here.
“It wasn’t necessary for us to bring in outside acts. We had plenty of amazing culture to celebrate that party, to celebrate that moment.”
This leads to “The New Agency,” the 50thanniversary soiree scheduled for 2/9 at the University Circle building. The affair highlights the region’s special group of experimenters, catalysts and change-makers currently pushing Cleveland forward.
These change agents of sorts — creating “The New Agency,” if you will — are innovating, experimenting and risk-taking, not just in the obvious disciplines of visual art but also in music, dance, poetry, literature, industry, food and more.
“It’s a group of really impressive individuals we’re going to continue engage with them over the course of the 50thanniversary in various ways, but the party on February 9 is an opportunity to celebrate them and the work that they do.
“It’s going to be an awesome lineup. We’re going to use the whole museum. There’s going to be simultaneous performers in various spaces. It’s an opportunity for people to learn about the new agents and also connect with our history a little bit. For those people visiting moCa for the first time, it’s a great first experience to have.”
Considering MoCa’s milestone anniversary, does the institution have another 50 years ahead of it?
“Oh, for sure, 100 years, easy,” Reich said. “We don’t have a collection, so we’re not bound to any history. As long as artists continue making work and audience continue wanting to have new cool experiences and talk about important issues and connect with one another in meaningful ways, yeah, we’ll be around. That building will stand forever hopefully.”
Regular price: Student tickets $15, General admission $25, VIP $75
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Cleveland, OH 44106