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» Santa Monica not giving up on the race for Eli Broad's museum

Meanwhile, Beverly Hills is now out of the running, having withdrawn from the Great Eli Broad Museum Race last week, but Santa Monica is also offering a cheap lease deal to Broad, offering a 2.5-acre site for $1 per year for 99 years. Given the surrounding cultural institutions, a rep for the city tells the paper that Santa Monica “envision this area as an important cultural focal point for Santa Monica.”

The $1 a year for 99 years is the same deal that DTLA is offering, so that wouldn’t tip it over.  We all know that Broad likes to shake things up, so even though Deitch has been talking to him, doesn’t mean he will keep any promises made about DTLA over the west side.  I think Santa Monica would be fun, bring some contemporary flavor over there, but does that mean instead of pigeons we would have to be dealing with seagulls?  I hate seagulls.

Also, what would the conservation issues be with the museum being closer to the ocean? Different weather, more salt in the air, more wind.  I only ask because 2.5 acres is a lot of land to not have any sculptures outdoors.

April 22, 2010, 11:40am  

Just got the press release from MOCA in the trusty inbox formally announcing Jeffery Deitch as the new Director:

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), we are pleased to share with you the news that Jeffrey Deitch has been appointed as the museum’s new director, effective June 1.

Jeffrey Deitch is one of New York’s leading gallerists, specializing in modern and contemporary art. During his 30-year career as an independent curator, Jeffrey has produced innovative exhibitions at museums and galleries worldwide. He has also served as an art advisor to premier institutional and private collectors, building a number of major international contemporary art collections. Highly educated and experienced in art finance practices, Jeffrey will provide critical oversight for MOCA to advance its groundbreaking programming and enable the museum to thrive for years to come as the foremost institution of contemporary art.

Since 1996, Jeffrey has operated Deitch Projects, a renowned public gallery with three New York locations that has presented more than 250 exhibitions, performances, and installations by contemporary artists. His unique combination of an innovative curatorial vision, keen business acumen, and passion for contemporary art sets the stage for his leadership of MOCA. As a devoted MOCA patron, you can anticipate that under Jeffrey’s stewardship you will continue to enjoy a dynamic and thought-provoking museum experience that is only found at MOCA.

Jeffrey Deitch will succeed Dr. Charles E. Young, who was named MOCA chief executive officer in December 2008 when the museum was facing serious challenges. A widely respected leader with great dedication to preserving MOCA as an invaluable asset to the city of Los Angeles and the art world, Dr. Young worked closely with the Board of Trustees to restore stability and energy and strengthen the foundation of this prominent cultural center that serves thousands of visitors each year. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Young’s leadership in guiding MOCA through this pivotal transition and for successfully repositioning the museum to attract an outstanding new director.

…

With your dedicated support, 2009 became a year of unprecedented success for MOCA and gives Jeffrey Deitch the platform to take the museum to heightened levels of innovation and new programming. He is eager to meet you in the months ahead and excited to share a bright future at MOCA with our dynamic community. All of us at the museum appreciate your continuing commitment to this world-class institution, and we hope to enjoy your deepening involvement as we make new history for MOCA.

Questions I have:

• What happens to Deitch Projects?
• I wonder what his salary will be? More or less than Govan’s? Considering the scope of MOCA vs. LACMA I would guess less but wouldn’t he need something tantalizing monetarily to whet his appetite?
• How are the locals going to react? And by locals I mean, Wood, Govan, Philbin, Blum & Poe and so on…
• I wonder where he is going to live? Hancock Park? Downtown penthouse? The hills? Curiouso.

UPDATE: Here is a nice collection of reactions to the decision.

UPDATE 2: Deitch Projects to close by June 1st.

January 11, 2010, 1:20pm