Education

VWU And Virginia MOCA Unveil Partnership Plans

Virginia Wesleyan University and Virginia MOCA join forces to create a state-of-the-art arts facility, fostering creativity and education in the community.

VIRGINIA BEACH

The Virginia Beach campus of Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) is poised to become the new home for the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA).

VWU and MOCA recently announced their collaboration on the construction of a state-of-the-art facility to be built on the University’s grounds.

The activity is being viewed by the partners as a major leap forward for the arts and education in the Hampton Roads community and beyond.

The new facility will serve as a hub for creativity and innovation, fostering artistic expression and offering an immersive experience for visitors and students alike, according to a VWU press release.

The facility will be equipped to host a range of exhibitions, performances, and educational programs available to students and the greater public.

The new facility will replace Virginia MOCA’s current home near the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

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Jonathan E. Pruden, Chair of the VWU Board of Trustees, said, “This collaboration between Virginia MOCA and VWU is a testament to our shared commitment to the arts and education in our community.”

Gary Ryan, Director and CEO of Virginia MOCA, commented, “This partnership will anchor us in our mission to present locally relevant, nationally resonant art that is exceptional. While Virginia MOCA remains an independent museum, our collaboration with VWU will allow us to do even more of what we do best: create groundbreaking exhibitions and engage the community in thought-provoking artistic experiences.”

Dr. Scott D. Miller, President of Virginia Wesleyan University, shared his enthusiasm for the joint venture, emphasizing the positive impact it will have on students and the local community.

“By integrating the arts into our campus, we are creating an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and cultural appreciation,” he said. “This collaborative effort with Virginia MOCA will further strengthen our commitment to providing a well-rounded education for our students.”

According to Dr. Miller, funding for the project has been generously provided by local philanthropists Jane Batten, Joan Brock, and Susan and David Goode, who, he noted, have long been strong supporters of Virginia MOCA and VWU.

“This new facility will in effect be an incredible new classroom on the campus of VWU,” Ryan added, “where we will conduct the very best interdisciplinary, experiential learning through the most vibrant art of our time. We are excited to help shape the future leaders of the world through the power of art.”

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said, “The City of Virginia Beach is a home to the arts, and we are thrilled that Virginia MOCA will continue to call our community home as it embarks on this next chapter of growth.”

Further details are expected in the fall. For more information and updates on the Virginia MOCA-VWU collaboration and the construction of the new facility, please follow the official websites of Virginia MOCA (www.virginiamoca.org) and Virginia Wesleyan University (www.vwu.edu).