History of BMoCA
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (colloquially known as BMoCA), was founded by group of local artists in 1972 and has established itself as one of Colorado’s premier contemporary art venues.
As a non-collecting institution, BMoCA presents rotating exhibitions and programs that stimulate active participation in the global and local dialogue about contemporary art. BMoCA attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and presents inclusive, free access education programs in six counties and exhibitions at six satellite locations.
Originally called the Boulder Arts Center, the museum was first located in a small Victorian house. In 1976, the organization moved to its current location in downtown Boulder, a 1906 historic landmark building that once served as a warehouse and is now owned by the city and leased to the museum. The beautiful brick building offers the perfect blend of history with a contemporary look inside. In 1995, the organization was renamed Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art.
Throughout its history, BMoCA has been a cultural cornerstone within its community. Each year, the museum presents an ambitious exhibition schedule and an innovative series of education programs and outreach initiatives for all audiences.
Mission
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art inspires creativity and fosters community through contemporary art.
Vision
BMoCA’s vision is to become a leader in the global conversation about contemporary art and culture and a defining voice for creativity and innovation in its region and beyond. By welcoming diverse aesthetics and perspectives, BMoCA seeks to provide an inclusive forum for an investigation of contemporary art and what a twenty-first century museum can be for its community.
DEAI - Diversity, Equity, Access & Inclusion
In 2020 BMoCA launched a Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Task Force with the objective of developing guiding principles to ensure that the museum nurtures, advances, and protects DEAI practices in every aspect of its operation. The outcome provided BMoCA with a guiding philosophy as well as the four areas of focus outlined below.
BMoCA protects diversity, nurtures equity, fosters accessibility, and promotes inclusion through the arts.
1. Exhibitions: Amplify the voices of artists and curators that represent a diversity of lived experiences.
2. Inclusivity & Creating a Welcoming Environment: Through a foundation of mutual respect, create an environment that is welcoming and safe to express all aspects of one’s identity.
3. Community Engagement: Engage a wide and multi-faceted audience through in-person programming and digital channels.
4. Infrastructure & People: Continue to prioritize inclusivity in the museum’s infrastructure and people, and a work culture that empowers staff and fosters collaboration.