Get to know Toronto’s new museum of contemporary art
October 17, 2018

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), formerly known as the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, has breathed new life into the landmark Tower Automotive Building in the Junction Triangle. This new heritage home located at 158 Sterling Road in Toronto allows MOCA to cement is place as an integral part of the city’s cultural nervous system.
In its past life as MOCCA on Queen West, MOCA presented the works of over 1,000 Canadian and international artists to throngs of 40,000+ visitors on an annual basis. However, this new, considerably larger, 55,000 square foot space will allow for exponential growth in terms of exhibitors, exhibit size, and visitor volume.

What to Expect
MOCA encompasses the first five floors of the Tower Automotive Building, including the building’s former loading bay, which now serves as the museum’s main entrance. Here is a breakdown of all five floors:

Ground Floor – MOCA’s main floor is a welcoming gathering space, home to a bookstore run by Art Metropole, as well as a café operated by local bakery, Forno Cultura.

Presently, the ground floor also houses a year-long, interactive exhibit by Andreas Angeladakis called the Invitation Project. This installation looks into the definition of social space via the presentation of 74 reconfigurable foam blocks. These blocks allow visitors to use their own imaginations to create an ideal gathering space.

2nd and 3rd Floors – The 2nd and 3rd floors of MOCA’s 5-floor space are the primary areas of exhibition. Here, visitors can experience both works on loan, as well as new commissioned pieces, including BELIEVE, MOCA’s inaugural exhibition.

BELIEVE features 16 local and international artists working in a range of mixed media to express the belief systems that shape society’s values and behaviours.

4th Floor – This floor is being used for programming and studio space. The Akin Studio Program manages this space, which provides local artists with a one-year studio residency. The presence of studio space allows MOCA to exist as more than just a gallery, but also as a hive, where artists are constantly bringing new works to life. Some of the art created here will be featured in MOCA’s exhibits throughout the year.

5th Floor – MOCA’s 5th floor is used as office and rental space.

Visit MOCA
Toronto residents and visitors with an interest in the city’s modern art scene can visit MOCA from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They are also open from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. on Fridays and closed on Tuesdays.

Lead photo courtesy of MOCA