North Miami Art Museum Art Feud

The Miami Museum of Contemporary Art according to the New York Times has two different directors. One, Babacar M’Bow was appointed by the city manager and yet another has an office in the museum, Alex Gartenfeld. This confusion is only a small piece of the major issues which are a part of the feud happening between the board of trustees and North Miami. According to the New York Times article which appeared in print on May 18, the museum’s board hopes to leave North Miami and merge with the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach. The board believes North Miami hasn’t taken care of the building.

An opposite point of view is what city officials believe; they believe the board is attempting to take the collection away from North Miami which is problematic to them. “The collection belongs to the city, and they are trying to steal it,” Mayor Lucie Tondreau said (nytimes.com).

“Museum officials say the city has changed the passwords on email accounts. City employees say the museum cut off access to its bank statements. Both sides have filed lawsuit,” said Angel Valentin (nytimes.com).

It seems as though Greater Miami has attracted many different individuals and has become a hot spot for art, the New York Times calls it a “global art center”. According to nbcmiami.com “The city [of Miami] said it has also taken actions to secure all of the art and funds donated to MOCA and to ensure that none of it can be removed until a judge has ruled on the case.”

The two different locations also seemingly create a problem for museum goers and MOCA’s leaders. The New York Times states that Bass Museum is located directly on Miami Beach while MOCA is located in North Miami with not so glamorous surroundings. MOCA’s museum statement says it is “dedicated to making contemporary art accessible to diverse audiences — especially underserved populations.” This alone gives the arising issues historical context.

60 percent of North Miami’s population of 60,000 citizens are black. This means that the MOCA is entitled to serving the whole population of North Miami whether they are black or white. Moving the museum could create more conflict in North Miami. According to the New York Times the city “provides about a quarter of the museum’s $4 million dollar budget” (nytimes.com).

According to The New York Times, the “27 trustees, primarily philanthropists and collectors who live outside the city, generate most of the revenue through donations, fund-raising and grant” (nytimes.com)

Some local donors believe the MOCA should stay in North Miami to serve the community. According to NBC Miami, “The City of North Miami has asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Museum of Contemporary Art. The city is calling MOCA's suit to move some of its artwork and spread it out across South Florida "legally deficient” (nbcmiami.com). The city of Miami has sent a letter to the MOCA’s board of trustees declaring that if any property or pieces is taken from the museum, it will be considered theft.

For The New York Times coverage visit http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/arts/design/north-miami-fights-to-keep-its-art-museum.html.

For the NBC Miami coverage visit http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/North-Miami-Takes-Action-Against-Museum-of-Contemporary-Art-in-Custody-Battle-257221671.html.