INTRODUCTION
Opened in May 2001, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Taipei) is the first museum in Taiwan devoted entirely to contemporary art practice. Our mission is to provide access to contemporary art from Taiwan and around the world to an increasingly globally-oriented, technologically-savvy audience.
The building which houses the museum is a designated Municipal Historical Relic. Built in the late 1920s, this Japanese colonial-style red brick structure served as an elementary school for two decades before a fifty-year stint as the site of the Taipei City Hall.
MOCA Taipei exemplifies a coming together of contemporary art, historical architecture, and high technology – resulting from the joint efforts of the Taipei City Government, the local community, artists, and corporate supporters.
As the world moves toward globalization, digitalization and technologically advancement – Contemporary Art provides an arena for artistic exchange and for the expression of cultural identity. From its inception, the museum has always recognized as main task to transcend the boundary that exist between art and the community at-large, constantly looking for new ways where art and the community interact, and striving to bring art beyond the confines of the museum walls and into the everyday lives of the community. MOCA Taipei will continue to move in this direction in the future. By stimulating inter-disciplinary creativity through multifarious and diverse artistic exhibition and performances, we hope to bring art into our community, and ultimately, to catalyze a spirit of innovation in the city of Taipei.
Historical timeline
1919 Kensei Shôgakkô (Jian Cheng Elementary School) is established.
1920 Construction begins for a two-story wooden-structured brick building Architect: Kondo Juro.
1946 The Nationalist government evacuates to Taiwan. The building is reappointed as the City Hall of the Taipei City Government. Jian Cheng Elementary School is abrogated.
1993 The Taipei City Government moves into new quarters.
1995 The building splits into two sections: one for Jian Cheng Junior High School and the other for the Museum.
1996 The building is designated as a Municipal Heritage Site. Renovation work begins.
2000 The Department of Cultural Affairs officially renamed the building as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei.
2001 MOCA Taipei is inaugurated.
EXHIBITIONS
Uniquely positioned as an exhibition/performance space housed in a historical relic, MOCA Taipei juxtaposes cultural history with contemporary art. The historical architecture underscores all of the exhibitions at MOCA, Taipei highlighting the diverse media and interdisciplinary characteristics of contemporary art. Exhibitions at MOCA Taipei have included contemporary new media art, architecture and graphic design. By collaborating with international and native curators and artists, we hope to reflect a vision that has both global and regional perspective.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Our education programs include a series of on-going lectures, guided tours, panel discussions and international conferences. In addition, workshops and art camps can be tailored to fit the ages and interests of specific audiences. Regularly scheduled volunteer training and collaboration with the curriculum in local schools, as well as sharing our resources with the community at-large, are all part of our education mission.
