$110,394 raised by 108 donors
100% complete
$75,000 Goal
The Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora will discover, commission, collect and preserve the work of the most advanced contemporary artists of the Global African Diaspora and its mother continent Africa. As a museum of the future, the museum will embed technology in exhibitions, programs, and practices, going beyond digital art offerings to explore ways technology can elevate experiences, educate and reach audiences around the world.
Miami MoCAAD is a digital-first museum. Flexible, nimble and distributed, it is both deeply rooted in local Miami context and global in its reach. It meets its audiences where they are, appearing in diverse digital spaces and creative venues, curating exhibitions and experiences that connect local and international audiences with the work of experienced and emerging contemporary artists of the African Diaspora. It will serve as a bridge between a constellation of different and diverse voices and art venues of Africa and the African Diaspora around the world from the Americas and Caribbean to Africa, and Europe.
Digital Artist Library: Initial phase of first of its kind catalog of artists of the Global African Diaspora presented digitally on website. |
|
Interactive Murals: On-site and virtual murals with QR codes linking to oral histories and augmented reality experiences. |
|
Black Art Near + Far: A global guide to exhibitions featuring African Diaspora artists, accessible through an interactive map. |
|
AR/VR Art Exhibitions: Immersive exhibitions will be released in Apple and Google app stores, paired with companion documentaries. |
|
Community Screenings: Public library screenings of "This Life: Black Life in the Time of Now" with VR experiences. |
|
Miami MoCAAD ARt+Tech Workshops = S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics): STEAM-focused workshops teaching middle school students how to create QR codes and personal media. |
|
| Weekly Artist Feature & Monthly Recap Newsletters: Highlighting the work and stories of contemporary artists from the African Diaspora; and a summary of events, featured artist highlights, upcoming events, and value-based content that educates and inspires. | |
| Miami MoCAAD’s Talents & Interns: 6+ Interns advanced to Knight Foundation, St. Louis Art Museum Romare Bearden Curatorial Fellowship, Pérez Art Museum Miami, law schools, and tech career | |
| Mobile Mural Exhibition: “Telling Overtown Stories, Saying Their Names,” scheduled North Dade Regional Library & Miami International Airport |
In 2025, Miami MoCAAD advanced its mission with transformative milestones across donor engagement, digital growth, programming, and community impact.
Kudos to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon, and Christine King, Chair of Miami City Commission and Chair of Overtown Community Redevelopment Agency, who led the initiative to create a path for the future home of Miami MoCAAD. The Overtown CRA unanimously approved a bond resolution that includes an allocation of $25 million to repurpose the county-owned former women’s detention center as Miami MoCAAD’s home. This historic step positions Miami MoCAAD as a cultural landmark that can energize the surrounding community and become an art home to Booker T. Washington High School located across the street.
For Aerial View of Miami MoCAAD’s Future Home, visit here:
In September, Miami MoCAAD hosted a Breakfast Reception as part of Harvard’s Celebration of Black Alumni, achieving its RSVP goal and drawing nearly 50 attendees (including influential leaders who joined through word-of-mouth). Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardemon made a keynote presentation sharing his vision of transforming the former women’s detention center into the future home of Miami MoCAAD. This milestone significantly expanded the museum’s national and global visibility.
Digital engagement has continued its strong upward trajectory. From January 1 to June 30, Miami MoCAAD reached 183,853 in total digital visibility. By August 31, this figure rose to 286,225—an increase of over 100,000 in just two months. September numbers will further add to this momentum, underscoring Miami MoCAAD’s growing presence and relevance in digital spaces.
Miami MoCAAD is a tech-forward startup museum with a mission to discover, commission, collect, and preserve the work of the most advanced contemporary artists of the Global African Diaspora and its mother continent Africa. As a museum of the future, MoCAAD embeds technology in exhibitions, programs, and practices—going beyond digital art to explore how technology can elevate experiences, educate, and reach audiences around the world.
⭐ Pioneering Programs & Visibility ⭐
This year was pivotal for Miami MoCAAD’s public programming:
→ ARt + Tech Workshops: As of September 2025, Miami MoCAAD has hosted 17 seminar-style workshops across Miami-Dade County districts, serving 135 students in small group sessions over three quarters. These workshops brought art and technology into classrooms and community spaces, giving students who were equipped with VR headsets and laptops first-hand exposure to creative innovation.
→ VR Exhibitions + Documentary Screenings: Miami MoCAAD has delivered seven exhibitions with 470 participants, who experienced Virtual Reality Exhibition paired with a documentary spotlighting artists and their stories of This Life: Black Life in the Time of Now. These immersive programs deepened connections between audiences and the contemporary narratives of the African Diaspora.
→ A lead magnet and digital guide was launched, helping new audiences learn about contemporary artists, exhibitions, and stories.
⭐ Looking Ahead ⭐
From deepened donor engagement to a surge in digital visibility, from transformative funding to expanded programming, Miami MoCAAD’s trajectory in 2025 reflects a clear vision: to become a museum of the future that leverages art and technology to connect, inspire, and preserve the rich legacy of the African Diaspora.
As we close the year, Miami MoCAAD looks forward to celebrating its 10th Anniversary and formally launching its Miami MoCAAD 100 Trailblazers campaign on December 2, 2025, with innovative exhibitions and community activations that continue to bridge art, technology, and cultural storytelling on a global stage.
⭐ Funders & Supporters ⭐
These projects and milestones are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Southeast Overtown Park/West CRA, Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation CreARTE, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Art of Black, Florida Arts & Culture, Give Miami Day donors, and Miami MoCAAD 100 Trailblazers.
Organization name
Miami MoCAAD
other names
Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora
Tax id (EIN)
46-3941154
Mission Category
Arts & Culture
Program Site Locations
All of Miami-Dade County, Miami: All Communities, Miami: Overtown, Miami Gardens, Naranja
Annual Operating Budget
$500,000 - $999,999
Primary Population Served
Black/African American/African, General Population, Youth & Children
Address
701 Brickell Ave, Suite 3300