Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to the exhibition and interpretation of contemporary art. Founded in 1996 by philanthropist Sue Cannon and a group of local artists and volunteers, MCA Denver serves as the first dedicated home for contemporary art in the city of Denver.

History

MCA Denver began its operations in a renovated fish market in Sakura Square, lower downtown Denver. For seven years, it occupied this space until 2003, when land was donated in the Central Platte Valley by Mark Falcone and Ellen Bruss to facilitate the construction of a permanent building. The museum opened its new facility in October 2007, designed by architect David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, UK.

Architecture and Design

The museum's building is designed to minimize boundaries between the city and its interior spaces, featuring large windows and natural lighting through hidden skylights and a T-shaped rooflight. The structure includes 20,000 to 26,000 square feet of exhibition, education, and lecture spaces, along with a roof garden and a rooftop cafe. The design was recognized with the RIBA International Award in 2008 and achieved a Gold LEED certification, marking it as a pioneering example of sustainable architecture in contemporary art museums.

Mission and Programs

MCA Denver is committed to being an innovative forum for contemporary art, fostering dialogue and understanding about the art of the present. The museum offers world-class exhibitions and community-driven programs, avoiding a permanent collection in favor of rotating exhibitions that change three to four times annually. Notable past exhibitions have featured artists such as Tatiana Blass, Brian Bress, and Damien Hirst.

MCA Denver also engages in community partnerships and has expanded its reach with the establishment of MCA Denver at the Holiday Theater, a performance and programming space in Denver's Northside. This expansion is part of the museum's broader strategy to provide singular experiences and promote creative partnerships across Denver.

Leadership

The museum has had several directors, including Cydney Payton from 2001 to 2009, Adam Lerner from 2009 to 2019, and Nora Burnett Abrams, who has served as the Mark G. Falcone Director since 2019. Abrams continues to drive the museum's vision of inclusivity, innovation, and community engagement.

References

(Note: References have been discussed but are not included here as is typical for Wikipedia.)