LOS ANGELES, CA.- Recognizing that MOCA will benefit from new leadership at this pivotal moment in the organization’s history, Director Jeremy Strick today submitted his resignation to the Board of Trustees. During Strick’s nine years guiding MOCA, the museum made unprecedented achievements in building its collections, advancing art education and creating exhibitions that captured worldwide acclaim.

“It has been an honor leading MOCA for nearly a decade,” Strick said. “During that time, we demonstrated MOCA’s international leadership, and received unparalleled acclaim in the museum community. Our exhibitions and catalogues received numerous awards and countless critical plaudits. We found new and inventive ways to engage diverse audiences through education programs and visitor services, hugely popular special events, a content-rich website, and groundbreaking partnerships with organizations throughout this community. It is my hope that MOCA will never waver from its commitment to quality and its determination to serve artists. That is the heart and soul of this institution.”

“During Jeremy’s tenure, the museum’s reputation as a world class contemporary art museum has grown dramatically -- locally, nationally, and internationally. He has overseen an exhibition program of unmatched quality, nurtured innovative programs and projects, expanded the museum’s architecture and design programs through the introduction of MOCA’s Pacific Design Center gallery, and developed groundbreaking partnerships with numerous Southern California cultural and educational organizations, large and small,” said Tom Unterman, co-chair of the Board of Trustees.

“MOCA has enjoyed marked growth in important areas for the museum since Jeremy became Director in 1999. Membership has increased exponentially from 13,000 to over 20,000 and our permanent collection has grown by nearly 50% during his tenure, a direct result of his work in developing the museum’s Acquisition and Collection committee and creating new acquisition committees for drawings and photographs.” said David Johnson, co-chair of the Board of Trustees.

Strick, a native of Los Angeles, succeeded Richard Koshalek as MOCA Director in 1999. Prior, he served as a senior curator at the Art Institute of Chicago, and held curatorial posts at The Saint Louis Art Museum and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Strick has agreed to work with new CEO Charles Young for the next several weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership at MOCA.