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Blog, MOCA, Press and Media, Westport News

MoCA\CT Announces Robin Jaffee Frank as New Executive Director

+ + + + + December 15, 2025

The Museum of Contemporary Art \Connecticut (MoCA\CT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robin Jaffee Frank, PhD, as its next Executive Director. A highly respected senior museum leader and cultural visionary, Dr. Frank brings decades of museum, academic, and public-engagement experience to MoCA\CT at a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution. She will begin her tenure on January 1, 2026.

Blog, Calendar, Featured Events

When Collecting is an Art

+ + + + + November 20, 2025

MoCA\CT’s galleries came alive as the opening of Enough Already transformed Sara Vance Waddell’s vision into a powerful, collective statement. The evening began with an animated conversation during the Museum’s popular series titled On the Art of Collecting with Waddell and collector Tamara White moderated by MoCA\CT’s Pamela Hovland and Kathryn Turley-Sonne. The conversation created a palpable energy before the reception, where more than 80 works from Waddell’s collection filled the galleries.

Blog, Featured Events, MOCA, Press and Media

Open Call for the 2026 High School Art Show

+ + + + + June 20, 2025

Open Call — 2026 High School Art Show Deadline: January 30, 2026  THE SOUND OF US: YOUTH CULTURE NOW Theme: How has contemporary music influenced youth culture, from fashion trends and social interactions to political awareness, activism, speech, and everyday life? Today, the youth interact with music differently from previous generations, more immediate, more interactive, and more personal. This constant access shapes the way they communicate, form communities, and express themselves, from slang and style to activism and identity. Music has become a catalyst for conversation, inspiring political awareness and mobilizing youth-led movements. It influences how they show up in the world, how they speak, what they stand for, and how they connect with one another. We’re also seeing a revival of vintage fashion trends that reflect how new music often samples sounds from the past, creating a cultural loop where history and innovation meet. Prompt: Choose a song between 2020 to now and create a work of art that shows its effects on youth culture either through fashion, social interactions, speech, education, political alertness and activism, and life in general. Submission Guidelines: We welcome all art forms such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media, installation, fiber art, video, […]

Blog, Events, Featured Events, MOCA

Announcing the “On The Art of Collecting” Series

+ + + + + May 9, 2025

Detail of work on paper, Liz Leggett MoCA \ CT presents On the Art of Collecting June 2 — November 17, 2025 MoCA\CT will be presenting a series of panel discussions and a field trip on collecting art, designed to appeal to a broad audience — from absolute newcomers to seasoned collectors. The structure of six offerings spanning six months provides a balance between theory and practical advice, and includes experiences that will help attendees gain confidence to engage with the art world firsthand. Our panel of experts includes curators, artists, archivists, gallerists, art advisors, lawyers, tax and financial planners, and more. Topics to be addressed include: – What it means to be an art collector today – How to define a collecting theme and set collecting goals – Finding affordable art in a variety of places; balancing passion with budget considerations – Caring for and documenting your art; appraising your art; insuring your art – Legal issues and tax implications related to art ownership, acquisition and sales Five programs will take place at MoCA\CT in Westport CT; one program will include a tour of galleries in NYC. Program Overview Session 101: Introduction to Collecting Art June 2, 2025 — 5:30pm Session 201: Building + […]

Blog, Events, Featured Events, MoCA Gives Back, Press and Media

2025 Black History Month

+ + + + + January 8, 2025

MoCA CT Celebrates Black History Month with Creative and Cultural Events This February, MoCA CT will host a series of events in honor of Black History Month, focusing on the rich cultural contributions and creativity of the African diaspora. The series will highlight emerging Black artists and provide a platform for their work, fostering greater visibility and professional growth. These events will also connect with local communities and align with current exhibitions, such as ON FIRE: Energy, Climate, Infrastructure and Human and Nature: A Changing Relationship. MoCA CT is dedicated to celebrating and integrating Black voices in the arts year-round. Event Lineup: Film Screening & Q&A – Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 7:00 PM Screening DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, a documentary on the Ghanaian sculptor El Anatsui. Film maker Oyiza Adaba from Africa Related Inc. will join for a post-screening Q&A, tying the film into MoCA CT’s exhibitions on the role of recycled materials in art and climate issues. Register Here. Soulful Expressions – Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 PM An evening of poetry by Sahmra Sawyer, music by pianist Joe Bush, dance by Jeffline Saint Louis, and food by Jamaican Chef Dré Sawyers of Food by […]

Blog, Press and Media

MoCA CT Announces Departure of Executive Director Ruth Mannes

+ + + + + January 1, 2025

MoCA CT announces that after five years Ruth Mannes, who has served as Executive Director has stepped down from her position. During her tenure, Mannes has been instrumental in advancing MoCA’s mission and enhancing its reputation as a vital hub for the arts community. Under Mannes’ leadership, MoCA solidified its standing as a beacon for the arts, nurturing artistic expression and meaningful connections. Her contributions have amplified MoCA’s commitment to fostering innovation, learning, and community engagement through a diverse range of exhibitions, performing arts events, and educational initiatives. Ruth led the MoCA team to welcome 100,000 visitors for the past four years and 26 dynamic exhibitions by esteemed artists such as Helmet Lang, Anselm Reyle, and Ann Weiner. The team presented 60 unforgettable performances by emerging and accomplished musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, and the Danish String Quartet as well as establishing MoCA as the home of the Heida Hermanns International Music Competition. During her time at MoCA, the team created robust educational programs such as Camp MoCA and other programs that have brought in 4,000 learners of all ages. Board Chair William D. Felton expressed gratitude for Mannes’ contributions, stating, “We are grateful to Ruth for her many […]

Blog, Featured Events, Press and Media

Now MoCA CT

+ + + + + June 25, 2024

While our roots are in Westport, our impact and reach extend across the entire state of Connecticut. The new name, MoCA CT, better represents our commitment to serving and engaging with communities throughout Connecticut. The name MoCA CT emphasizes our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility. It signals that we welcome artists, visitors, and participants from all corners of the state, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Our mission is to celebrate contemporary art and foster a creative, engaging environment for all. The new name aligns more closely with this mission by removing geographic limitations and highlighting our statewide aspirations.

A man posing by the piano. Past Performance

Heida 2022 Laureate Artem Kuznetsov to Perform in November

+ + + + + October 17, 2023

Join us in welcoming back the 2022 Heida Hermanns Competition laureate Artem Kuznetsov on Saturday, November 18 at 7 PM! Since becoming the Heida Laureate in 2022, Artem has been very busy performing around the world – Artem has been concertizing a lot with major orchestras, including Orquestra Filarmónica Portuguesa, Orchestra Simfonica di Sanremo, Orquesta Internacional Virtuosos de Madrid, Orchestra Filarmonica Mihail Jora di Bacau, Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès, Royal Prince Consort Orchestra, Euregio Chamber Orchestra, among others, collaborating with conductors such as Conrad Van Alpen, Simon Crawford-Philips, Ovidiu Balan, Benedetto Montebello, Lawrence Golan and Osvaldo Ferreira. He won first prizes at Russian Piano Competition San Remo Italy, as well as Santa Cecilia Piano Competition in Porto Portugal. Artem is also expecting his release of a new digital album in October on KNS CLASSICAL and preparing for his first tour in Japan in November! Click here for tickets.

Blog, Featured Events, Press and Media

Janice Egan Appointed Senior Director of Philanthropy at MoCA

+ + + + + May 10, 2024

We are excited to welcome Janice Egan to our team as the Senior Director of Philanthropy. Janice arrives with a wealth of experience, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in philanthropic fundraising from the higher education sector. She has a deep passion for the arts and a commitment to community engagement. Her role signifies an important addition to MoCA, aiming to further our mission of enriching lives through art, education, and creative expression.  Janice has an impressive background in building and nurturing philanthropic relationships, managing significant programs, and identifying strategic growth opportunities. Her previous positions, including Director of Parent and Family Engagement and Philanthropy and Senior Development Officer at Lafayette College, have equipped her with the necessary skills to enhance MoCA’s philanthropic efforts and deepen our impact within the community.  As the Senior Director of Philanthropy, Janice will focus on strengthening MoCA’s engagement with individual donors and exploring new avenues for philanthropic support. “Janice’s addition to our team represents a pivotal moment for MoCA. Her rich experience in philanthropy and her passion for the arts will play a crucial role in driving our mission forward,” states Ruth Mannes, Executive Director. 

Past Performance

JULY 20: Joe Bush Performance (Piano)

+ + + + + July 18, 2023

Come listen to an eclectic mix ranging from jazz to classical! Joe Bush and friends will be performing music by Rachmaninoff, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder and more. Pianist Joseph Bush is joined by The Newburgh Calvary choir and “The Experience,” an ensemble that specializes in a fusion of Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, and R&B. The concert features vocalist Chavon Hampton, guitarist Jeffrey Velez, and drummer Elijah Hampton. This event was organized and produced by the Constant Consulting Group. GET TICKETS More About Joe Bush Joseph Bush is a graduate of the University of Connecticut (UCONN) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music under the tutelage of Irma Vallecillo. He received his master’s in piano performance from Indiana University studying under Alexander Toradze. Joe has played in numerous venues over many diverse genres. He has taken part in the Wendell P. Whalum recital series at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference. In December 2016 he debuted with the South Bend Symphony alongside his teacher Mr. Toradze playing the first movement of Prokofiev’s 3rd Piano concerto. After graduating he has been the artist in residence at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh, New York. Since being there, he has revived and developed their […]