LAist: MOCA is in the Red, Needs More Support

samkim

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:53:29 -0800

hopefully this willb e a wake up call for both sides. where the museum will have to perform better to entice new members/customers/visitors and also for people on the other end to start supporting the arts once more. its difficult for most art institutions, although they are vital to our culture. it's funny how schools always cut the arts and physical education first. and you wonder why people are stupid, uncreative, fat, lazy, and uninteresting.

polaroidgirl

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:41:15 -0800

I also let a membership lapse years ago and my first thought when reading this was "I guess it's time to sign up again" because I'd hate to see MOCA come to an end even though the last time I was there was to kill time during lunch break from Jury Duty. On the other hand I don't want to reward them for the last few years... Bummer.

cjla

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:32 -0800

Been a while since a blockbuster exhibitition? How about Murakami? One of the greatest luxuries with art, and a museum membership, is the ability to look at beautiful, esoteric work, and taking your time with it. Instead of worrying about seeing new and different art each time you visit MOCA, try going once a month, and really looking at the art displayed. Trust me. You'll be looking at pieces in a different way! Also, MOCA is a nonprofit. If you're a member of MOCA, or any nonprofit for a specific exchange of goods, you're going to be disappointed. If you're a member because you're interested in their cause, and because some of the benefits associated with membership are interesting, well, then you'll be satisfied.

buzz

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:24:36 -0800

it has been a while since they've had a blockbuster show of any sort. i'm beginning to feel like my membership is useless if there's nothing i actually want to see.

iheartpitbulls

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:59:08 -0800

maybe you should stop looking at the floor and check out the walls.

chris76

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:56:26 -0800

Maybe if they stopped hiring crap curators, they could make a decent exhibition rather than borrowing flavor-of-the-month mid-career retrospectives from other institutions. Whenever you borrow more than you lend - its a sinking ship. Every exhibition they curate from their collection is just a sad repetition of things we've seen every three years or so for the past couple decades.

hennypenny

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:41:31 -0800

I was a member for a few years and let my membership lapse because I wasn't interested in the exhibits. I have a feeling a lot of members felt the same way. Maybe if they were showing something more inspiring, like Lucien Freud or Basquiat (both amazing shows), it would drum up more support. Or, time to call Steve Martin.

db

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:57:51 -0800

Ask Congress for help. Tell them MOCA is critical for the country's survival. I hear that tactic has been working lately.

Biffles

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:54:41 -0800

MOCA has been running operating deficits for most of its institutional life. Parties are great, but are no substitute for a board and other supporters who give generous operating support every year. The problem is -- in part -- that that tradition was not established at MOCA from the beginning.

PantheonZeus

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:35:39 -0800

maybe they should have more party events? they had one October 25 and it had been ages since last one. That brings in $$

sinatra11

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:24:27 -0800

i visited moca a few months ago, and it was obvious they were in financial straits. why? because their floors were critically messed up. they were creaking and popping as people walked around, not mention scuffed and scraped beyond reason. it was far and away the worst museum floor i've ever seen - anywhere (and that includes the clown museum in las vegas)! i was embarrassed to be from los angeles...