In November of last year, Brooklyn’s Dreamers had its first joint event with the Museum of Contemporary African and Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), a BAM Cultural District neighbor. Since the fall of 2006, the Museum has been in residence in the newly renovated 80 Arts, The James E. Davis Arts Building. A Brooklyn native Laurie Cumbo is the young founder behind MoCADA. Her vision was born while working at two prominent Brooklyn museums. She noticed that there was room in the borough for a museum that would give emerging and contemporary artists of the African Diaspora a space to exhibit their work. What started as a thesis project grew in to an institution.
From the beginning of MoCADA’s existence, Cumbo’s international and national studies and travel have brought a global perspective to the museum. Now, its positioning in the Cultural District has given MoCADA international visibility. She is “thrilled to be surrounded by a wealth of cultural organizations that are contributing to the vibrancy of this historical cultural community.” The move has not changed the foundation of the institution, but has expanded the scope of its programming. Already, MoCADA has partnered with dynamic art groups in the District. Plus, the new space has allowed school groups to visit five days a week – introducing a younger generation to the visual arts. This is another of Cumbo’s objectives – providing the opportunity for youth to participate in art. Her young staff and young Board are perfect examples of this mission.
MoCADA’s next show “The French Evolution: Race and Politics and the 2005 Riots” opens Friday May 25th