Tour was so fun. A perfect way to spend a rainy day.

Great museum showing some of the most forward thinking artists of this generation. I love the large scale atrium gallery piece which changes all the time and they had a large sculpture in there when I went that was the highlight of my experience. Many other smaller pieces were great as well however the extremely small collection really shows and the limited information on each piece didnt help either. The 2nd floor was also under renovation which meant a large part of the museum was inaccessible. Staff was friendly and the location is fantastic in the heart of the historic downtown area.

Highly recommended if you have a love for art. Very nice museum.

We where there during the Wes day Art Walk and they sure could have taken MUSH MORE avenge of the Bar and the restaurant in side It almost looked Very Empty and after you did find the bar and get a drink You could not leave a very small area with not sets and you could not enter the ART area until you drank your drink Must room was where the gift shop was once but it l@@ked in inviting. I was hoping for much more from MY University. U.N.F. sure missed out on this opportunity

Excellent rotating exhibitions. An inexpensive and entertaining event for the family, whether youre local or visiting from out of town. I havent personally tried the cafe but I hear good things. There is a small gift shop at the entrance that often carries local art at reasonable prices.No dedicated parking structure so youll have to find a garage or metered street parking. Its located a short walk or drive from several restaurants and bars in downtown Jacksonville.

The MOCA is beautiful and definitely a place to visit in downtown Jacksonville. The parking can be an issue but there are parking garages and it was free parking during the weekend. The art was of course amazing! The MOCA is a smaller, more intimate museum with only 4 floors but the space itself is quite interesting. The main art display was very, very cool! I posted a few pictures: Home was the theme.

Not a bad tour for 8 bucks on a Sunday.

I arrived at the museum when a good portion of the museum was closed for an upcoming event. The person at the front desk was friendly and let me know why the areas were closed and added that the admission was free, due to the limited viewing. The top floor was a cool space for campers. It looked as if the kids were happy and participating in a creative project. A few pieces of art were also on display. A second gallery opened at the time was a small show with two contemporary artists. I would like to return someday to see the full museum space.

Awesome Place To View Some Contemporary Art in Jacksonville, With A Bonus Of Some Excellent Food At The Nola Moca Restaurant Right Inside The Museum (Sorry, I Regret No Food Pics To Share)!!! My Wife Had A Spectacular Time With Major Love Points For Me On Valentines Day Date Night!!!

Excellent museum. Took wife and had a very enjoyable time. Staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.

I arrived at the museum when a good portion of the museum was closed for an upcoming event. The person at the front desk was friendly and let me know why the areas were closed and added that the admission was free, due to the limited viewing. The top floor was a cool space for campers. It looked as if the kids were happy and participating in a creative project. A few pieces of art were also on display. A second gallery opened at the time was a small show with two contemporary artists. I would like to return someday to see the full museum space.

I think for this review it would be best to tell how our day unfolded. We arrive at the MOCA around noon on Saturday. I am able to find a premium parking spot right in the front. Im thinking this is great as it was 95 degrees. We walk over to the Burrito Gallery for lunch before visiting the museum. We are greeted by a nice woman who informs us the credit card terminal is down. No problem, it happens, well go around the block and get some cash. Turns out the closest one had bean stolen so we head around Hemming to find another ATM. On the way we found a nice piece on the side of a building which I found more interesting than most of the pieces I would later see. When we got back we found out the third floor was closed to install a new installation (which seemed interesting from the brochure) and two more floors were dedicated to office space and a childrens exhibit/craft space which didnt interest us. The first floor consists of a gift shop, cafe, theater and a large art piece. The shop, cafe and theater were closed. The second floor had a few interesting pieces but nothing extraordinary. We were there for 30 minutes. I have attached a photo of the piece we found near the ATM.

Amazing Museum and Great Collection. There is an interactive area for kids

Very lovely quiet museum with interesting art. The visiting artists work, Jenn Peek, has beautifully touching work on the 5th floor. In the exhibition area for a few more days is a interactive light exhibition by Kedgar Volta is phenomenal. It is only up until the end of the weekend, 3/1/20 I think.

The building and the building around this location is stunning. Just as stunning as the art inside.I went at 6 pm on a Thursday (gallery is open 5 to 9 pm on Thursdays) and was the only one In the gallery. The art was beautiful and contained many different medias and canvases.

Our special Contemporary art museum here in Jacksonville. Great installation art and exhibits are worth the trip to downtown Jacksonville.

Compact but very well curated museum in the city center. Good collection and interesting loans. Excellent restaurant at the entrance.

Interesting but not vast. Easily done in an hour to an hour and a half. Nice bookstore next door. Meterd street parking.

Unfortunately, I can not recommend visiting this museum. As other reviewers, we also had a very negative experience with the racist security guard. The minute she heard us talking in a foreign language, she walked towards us and told us we were not allowed to film or take pictures. I pointed out to her that I was allowed to take photos without flash according to the website. She admitted that this was true, but then had someone follow us at close distance through the rest of our museums visit. This quickly became very uncomfortable and we decided to cut our visit short and left. The museum is overpriced for what it has to offer anyway.

Such a great museum. Great artwork. Not too big. Super interesting pieces. Great for the family.

The entries and sides were tasty and reasonably priced. I was not a fan of their peach cobbler. Im a GA boy and it wasnt on point.

Nice little museum with five floors. Each floor has a different theme and the top floor is packed with fun activities for the kids!

It is a beautiful place. Roomy. Very exquisitely setup. There was a lot of people for the event I was there for but it was not stuffy or cold. The temperature was perfect. The lighting was awesome. The waitstaff was quick & friendly as well non- intrusive. It was just a very welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

One of the best contemporary art museums in the country. Challenging and engaging art.

The staff and students here are super friendly!

The Draw and Drink event was awesome...Willam was the instructor...he was great!

Nice quiet spot in downtown Jacksonville. Located at Hemming Park in a nice rehabed building.Nice collection in the permanent gallery and thoughtful exhibits. As part of UNF it seems like its staffed by students who seem disinterested in being there.

Me and my boyfriend ENJOYED ourselves here. Its so much creativity and really gives a new spin on art. I loved every bit of it. Its free during Art Walk.

It was great, the staff I super nice and the camp here is incredibly fun!! The loft is also great if you have small children

Went yesterday and paid $5.00 each due to the 3rd floor being closed for some reason. The museum needs a lot of work. Looked like a lot of old displays and not the best art of some of the artists. Not sure why they dont have any benches or other places to sit, but that seems like it would be a good addition too. Very disappointing.

TEDxFSCJ was a great success.

One of about 2.5 museums in Jacksonville that is actually a museum. They try to bring cool things from time to time. Project Atrium is interesting most of the times (large open space that allows an artist to do anything with it). It is free during Artwalk (first Wednesday evening of the month). The restaurant downstairs is also a great place.

Its a nice place to go and they have some good stuff but it is not the big collection. My favorite was the 3rd floor where they had an exhibition from some artist from China.

It would be more appealing if there was an audio explanation available to tell more about the art.

Their temporary exhibits are phenomenal, they always make me think.The kids space is such a treat

Always interesting. My children used to love the classes on the weekends

This is a lovely place to spend a few hours enjoying a variety of art. These were a few of our faves! I look forward to our next visit.

We brought our students for a field trip. The staff was so accommodating, helpful and patient. They really went out of their way for the children! Their resources and art centers were engaging. Wed love to come back for another visit!

Great food awesome events

Always a pleasure when I visit the museum to see the creative and thought provoking works presented by the local and visiting national artist. Well clean and well maintained and never crowded even on the busiest nights due to proper crowd/ visitor control. Worth a visit to view some very interesting and beautiful pieces of art.

Was a great place to Visit with the Girl Scouts so much to learn love the art, Staff was wonderful had some nice activities for the kids We all loved the kids Art

A little spare but the exhibits they did have are interesting.

A big exhibit right as you walk in sets the tone for Jacksonvilles MOCA. Probably about an hour or 45 minute full walkthrough from bottom floor to the fifth, very interesting pieces though, particularly the 3rd and 5th floor in my opinion

Always a good time. Interesting Art is always on display

Although this museum is small compared to the others in Jacksonville, its impact is just as astonishing. The interior design of the building alone is beautiful. The pieces they decide to display and the order in which they are presented are beautiful, powerful art. The museum is child friendly, although I personally feel like you have to be on an adult level to truly appreciate whats in there. Regardless Id recommend MOCA to anyone.

It was very beautifully decorated. As having an event and filled with people, the temperature was perfect. The finger foods and drinks were delicious. The wait staff was polite and friendly.

Great museum, love the passport display ( cant remember the actually name of it) the staff was great and welcoming

Very nice museum with interesting exhibits. They could do with more benches for contemplation and rest.

I enjoy going there looking at art its a lot better than the Cumberland Museum because when Im in the cummer Museum all their art is at the turn of the century back in the 1800s and I feel that has nothing to do with me Im looking for photography artwork

First of all, I want to say the staff here was amazing. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. That being said, it took me less than half an hour to see everything at a very leisurely pace which was unexpected. I lingered as much as I could but there was no way I could stay the hour I had planned. The atrium on the first floor had an interesting lighting feature, but thats all, and it was closed for an event. The second floor is where the art is. It was modest in size but did have some nice pieces including a series by Sol LeWitt. The third floor was closed for an installation. The forth floor is offices. The fifth floor has a kids space that seemed like it would be fun for at least an hour for a family as its all interactive, but there was construction going on in the hallway. I recommend calling to make sure the third floor is open to make your trip worth it. It seems like they do a lot for/with the community and are a good resource for local art students as well.

First time there. I will definitely go back. The lady working there, I believe she was the security guard. She said she had been employed there for a very long time. She was awesome! She walked around with us off and on throughout our visit. She was so knowledgeable and shared her knowledge with us!

Only ate here. Good food and short wait. Parking in a ramp in next block. Eclectic food. Good prices.

This museum is terrible. Particularly the kids area. Last time I was here was about 6 years ago and you know what, it hasnt changed a bit! Exhibits are lame and crayons and paper missing. And we came at opening. How hard is it to make sure there are crayons and paper?? Jacksonville, you need to visit other cities and check out their museums, particularly the kids areas of those museums, and update your offerings. So glad I didnt pay any money to see this place! I gave you an extra star for letting us in for free.

The museum had a wonderful selection of art and a very nice staff. While not the largest space its three floors showed plenty of art. Downtown Jacksonville doesnt have a lot of things to do so Im glas this museum is there for tourist.

A great museum for kids. A lot of interactive features. Very knowledgeable staff.

When downer people bemoan the paucity of real art and culture in this city, I know they havent made MOCA their go-to place, nor have they participated in the many cultural goings-on to which the museum is connected. Situated in the center of the action, right between City Hall and the main library, MOCA occupies a central place in Jacksonvilles art-fueled urban reinvention of itself. As of the last few years, the museum has hosted exhibits that have pushed boundaries and remixed what is possible at a mid size contemporary art venue. Speakers, panels, film screenings, artmaking, social events accompany gallery programming in ways that engage and enlighten. I just attended an opening night for another set of exhibits that totally transformed the interior of the space. The place was packed, there was food, a full bar, live music, artist talks, and many of the museums employees there engaging with the public. MOCA is truly where contemporary art meets the broader culture and those who know this are continually returning to dwell in the light this cultural space provides. Answer the downers and naysayers with a question: Have you checked out MOCA? They likely havent been there in a while. Ill see you at their next event and we can discuss further.

Its okay if its a free day...i found it too small to be a for pay venue...and its central location would be better if it was a free only public jacksonville museum...with only a front security desk and other securities hidden....its mobbed by these white shirt black pants all the time and never any clear docent service to offer....its a modest collection largely only of fine painting or photography and wall hanged...no conceptual...allowance or radicalism...despite much contemporary film made of snot kleenexes and turned with other things to produce moving colors...i think its okay if your not asked for money otherwise I would avoid it

All the exhibits are pretty neat. I can definitely spend at while looking at all the art. The staff is really informed and really helpful. One of the places to check out if youre visiting Jacksonville.

Very nice museum... took my 6 year old daughter and we enjoyed ourselves very much.

Very cool place, I loved the 3rd floor

Its a great museum. There is also a restaurant, and the museum is free the first Wednesday of the month for art walk.

A very nice collection with a cool kids zone.

They have some awesome exhibits here. Recently went and saw the New York Times exhibit and its great. They also feature local artists too. If youve never been try and get out there some time. They change the exhibits up pretty often. I think its something like every 3 months maybe? They have whats called Project Atrium thats a big space with 40ft. walls right as you enter. Its an open space for emerging artists to get a chance to plaster with their artwork all over and showcase in a big open area. I believe its 3 floors of exhibits, and on the first floor they have a little eatery and bar. The eatery is pretty expensive; the name escapes me right now though. Ill come in here every few months to get some inspiration and see what other artists are producing. Great date night activity as well.

Small exhibition but nice!

Wonderful thoughtful gallery. Free for UNF students!

Between military and student discounts, my party of 3 only had to pay $8 total. It doesnt take long to look around so its more like a quick stop while in the artsy area of downtown.

Pretty small for the location. Was $10. Fancy restaurant called NOLA on ground floor. I was able to find 2h and 3h free parking within 8min walking distance to the east.

We love to go look at the art, and also make art as a family up on the 5th floor (typically during special events).

Unexpectedly amazing collection of work! Project Atrium changes often, and is worth checking out each time.Lectures and events are not as publicized as I would hope - but they are always great! You should go!Its great to swing by during lunch or after a meeting.Free for UNF students, and to the public during Art Walk - but if you want to spend time with the art, dont go during Art Walk.

Very enjoyable. Restaurant food excellent.

Great place to visit while downtown, they even have a restaurant inside. The museum is not large, bit lots of local artist works are exhibited there.There is an interactive section for kids and you adults as well.

Although the 3rd floor was closed the ones we got to see were beautiful. I loved the huge balloon creature that spanned from the first floor up.

Very cool place and I got usefull knowledge from here.Our school student got lots of knowledge from this Museum.This is a great to know about different story, as well as different cultures.

I really liked my visit. There was a good bit to see. Check out the amazing restaurant. The kinetic sculpture in the main hall is wonderful.

Love the event we was at.

MOCA is a tiny museum in downtown Jax. They have an interesting and evocative collection, including some performance art displayed on video monitors. Metered parking across the street has a time limit of one hour, but you can easily see the whole collection in half that time. If you take a walk around the park opposite the museum, expect to be approached by a few homeless people.

Great experience with Modern and contemporary arts! Excellent location in beautiful downtown Jacksonville. Across from Hemming Plaza and next to Jacksonville Public Library.Three levels of beautiful displays including a kids zone on the 5th floor. At the end of your visit you can enjoy an excellent lunch or meal at the small, yet cozy rest. locate on the first level.

Thought provoking art in an elegant setting. The cafe is a must try. I especially appreciate their family days and that they offer childrens classes and even programs for children with special needs at no cost.

Great small museum that always has contemporary art worth seeing. The 4th floor has a kids area that seems like it would be pretty cool if it was more active. We were the only ones there when we visited.

Art with a Heart in Healthcare exhibit of childrens art as they are battling sickness and cancer.

Another wild and wonderful installation in the atrium. Always leave thinking I dont understand modern art....then thinking about what I have just seem for weeks. 3rd floor rotating exhibits always make me reconsider the definition of art.

Had a great day here.

The security guard I cant remember her name I tried to take note but she talked to my kids about the art. she is pretty awesome

Needed more in way of collection, cafe was tasty

The museum itself is nice. Its their choice of art I find troubling. It seems anything could be considered as modern art and I disagree with this belief. A museums showcase should make the viewer pause and consider, not laugh as one walks by.

Art Aviators program is wonderful. Anthony is the best. My son also loves seeing the galleries.

Small, but the space isnt wasted. The exhibits they pick are all incredible in their own way, and the room that isnt used to exhibit art within this building is used for classes and for kids to learn about and create art, which I wholly support.

Top shelf customer experience. Good efforts to keep the rotating exhibits fresh and engaging. The top floor is also a lot of fun for children.

Modest but amazing galleries.

Beautiful, peaceful. An oasis of visual beauty.

It is a quiet place with a good collection of works of art, the managers treat you very well and you dont have to pay much.

My favorite places

Great exhibit. Easy to find and park. Knowledgeable polite staff.

Very interesting and neat pieces!

It is a beautiful place. Roomy.

Contemporary art isnt exactly my thing, but there are good educational programs and a solid set of exhibits that rotate. Delightful little restaurant on the ground floor with a French-Canadian influence.

Beautiful facility with good permanent collection and rotating visiting exhibit. Thought provoking if you are open to todays art. But then, what is art?

Fun place to visit on a rainy day. They even have some things for my 3 year old son to do.

We had lunch in the restaurant and it was amazing.

This was our first trip to the MOCA. The third floor was closed because they are installing a new exhibit so ticket prices were half off. That seemed fair. The staff is friendly and helpful. The Exploration Loft on the top floor was fun, even for us old people. We will be back to see the exhibit on the third floor after it opens.