Mission

Vision

CoCA is committed to exploring the ever-changing world of contemporary art through research and writing, exhibitions, performances, readings, lectures, workshops, gatherings, and the promotion of its 45-year archival repository.

Values

Artistic Stewardship/Partnership Innovation: We incorporate positive artistic practices, stewardship & innovation into long-term decision-making & partnerships.

Rigorous Brilliance: CoCA strives to find new modes/venues/messages that inspire, investigate & create best practices for contemporary art.

Integrity w/ Inclusivity: Race & Social Justice is a priority lens for all decisions. We listen. We are respectful & innovative in our pro-equity relationships to support & empower art/artists.

Staff Excellence/Community Mentoring: CoCA recruits, retains, & develops people whose skills, passion and pro-equity dedication shine while investing in mentoring to create a diverse current & upcoming workforce.

Experimental Contemporary Art: CoCA embraces a wide-ranging approach to contemporary art that emphasizes ideas over simplistic reductions of time-based models: art that is experimental, explorative, non-commercial, equitable, and resistant to political directives.

Equity Impact Statement

CoCA supports a fully empowered creative life for all people. We commit to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that build an inclusive community for artists and art lovers. We recognize the history of exclusion that has led to ongoing disparities. We embrace positive systemic change and transformation of our organization by confronting our biases and operationalizing our values. We challenge ourselves to dismantle frameworks of exclusion while building accessible opportunities for expression and growth for all. We prioritize accommodating artists from traditionally underrepresented communities, including providing need-based financial support as we are able.

Strategic Intent Statement (2019-2024)

CoCA will amplify important voices, including underrepresented artists and curators, who have not yet been given the opportunity to be heard in the art world, by displaying critically engaging art and building organizational resources and opportunities.