MOCA Cleveland helps strengthen and support the local art community through exhibitions and programs that both highlight the talent in our region and also connect local artists to national and international artists and audiences. MOCA is a leader among contemporary art institutions for our commitment to exhibiting the work of regionally-based artists in both solo and group exhibitions. Through these and other projects, MOCA seeks to enrich the local art scene by providing unique platforms for artistic innovation, collaboration, and visibility.

The following details a selection of programs dedicated to artists in our region:

Nesnadny + Schwartz Visiting Curator Program

(ongoing)
Initiated in fall 2003, The Nesnadny + Schwartz Visiting Curators Program brings distinguished curators to Cleveland to conduct one-on-one studio visits with local artists as well as deliver a public lecture. The program provides local artists with professional exposure and critical feedback from accomplished art world professionals. The Visiting Curator public lectures bring relevant and timely contemporary topics to our region.

For more information on NSVC, or to apply for a studio visit, click here.

PULSE Exhibition Series

(ongoing)
Begun in 1998, the PULSE Exhibition Series features new bodies of work by innovative emerging and established artists in Northeast Ohio. PULSE exhibitions embody the breadth and depth of talent in our region. Presented artists include: Dexter Davis (1998), Eric Rippert (1998-99), Douglas Lucak (1999), Laurence Channing (1999), John Pearson (2000), Bellamy Printz (2000), Heather White (2001), Eve Thomson (2001), Royden Watson (2002), Julie Langsam (2002) Martin Ball (2003), Hildur Ásgeirsdóttir Jónsson (2005), Peggy Kwong-Gordon (2006) Craig Lucas (2008), Christian Wulffen (2009), Julian Stanczak (2010), and Lorri Ott (2011).

Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist Series

(1997-2007)
This exhibition series was created in memory of Wendy L. Moore, an inspiring artist and native Clevelander who died in 1997 as the result of an accident. To continue Wendy's spirit, Mr. and Mrs. Dan T. Moore generously sponsored an annual exhibition at MOCA devoted to furthering the career of a young female artist under thirty in our region. This exceptional opportunity provided one artist selected by jury with a professionally mounted solo exhibition, a scholarly catalogue, and a substantial stipend. This series helped to launch the professional careers of its recipients, providing exposure in the art world and advancing their opportunities to pursue future exhibitions, education, and awards.

Recipients of this award included: Christa Donner (2000), Tara Giannini (2001), Lori Kella (2002), Angela White (2003), Carmen Ruiz-Davila (2004), Alicia Basinger (2005), Sarah Kabot (2006), Olga Ziemska (2007), and Jamie Davis (2008). The series' inaugural exhibition (1999) featured the work of Wendy L. Moore.

Additional Opportunities

In addition to the PULSE and Wendy L. Moore Emerging Artist series, MOCA has featured artists working in the region in one-person exhibitions such as Don Harvey: Invented Landscapes (2001) and Jason Lee (2004). MOCA also has shown Northeast Ohio artists alongside international artists in thematic group exhibitions, such as Material Witness (2004), which included Oberlin-based artist Johnny Coleman, and There Goes the Neighborhood(2009), which featured Cleveland-based artists Amy Casey and Kristin Bly and Akron-based artist Matthew Kolodziej. In 2007, MOCA organized Side by Side, a group exhibition featuring ten artists in the region: Laurie Addis, Rian Brown-Orso, Gianna Commito, Michelle Droll, Thomas Frontini, Neil MacDonald, Mark Moskovitz, Erik Neff, Susan Umbenhour, and Barry Underwood.

Unsolicited Artist Submissions

MOCA Cleveland reviews unsolicited artist submissions from artists living in Cuyahoga or its seven contiguous counties (Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage, Geauga, and Lake). Submissions should be mailed with attention to the Curatorial Assistant. Electronic submissions are not accepted. Submissions will not be returned unless they include a self-addressed stamped envelope.