Museum of Contemporary Arts Long Island, or MoCA LI, is the newly defined exhibition space of the Patchogue Arts Council (PAC). For many, this may seem like a simple name change. Museums and galleries both exhibit art. But, they do so with very different goals.
Why redefine PAC’s exhibition space?
Redefining PAC’s exhibition space from a gallery to a museum will exponentially increase opportunities for the community and artists we serve.
PAC has always been unconventional in comparison to other arts councils. Our main areas of focus are to make current and contemporary art accessible to everyone and to serve artists across Long Island. We are striving to create inclusiveness in all of our opportunities, particularly for Long Island’s Spanish-speaking communities. Through our exhibition programming, we support, promote, and encourage early, mid-career, and established artists that work in all media and all walks of life.
The caliber of career-enriching opportunities that we provide to Long Island-based artists was previously unheard of in Suffolk or Nassau County. We don’t charge artists to submit or participate. Rather, we give stipends to exhibiting artists to help cover the costs associated with the creation of new work.
PAC’s opportunities for artists’ career development is contrary to traditional arts councils’ operations.
PAC’s Gallery has credibility as a space that presents high-caliber exhibitions locally on Long Island.
We provide viewing of world-class art on Long Island. Museum classification heightens featured artists’ exposure, attracts expert guest curators, and opens the door to borrow world-class works of art from established museums, galleries, and private collections to exhibit them in Patchogue. It also makes new foundation and grants funding available.