MOCA names Jonathan Abbott new director after years of turmoil
Los Angeles Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Jonathan Abbott has been appointed as the new director and chief executive of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), succeeding interim director Ann Goldstein and becoming the museum’s sixth director since 2008.
- Abbott brings 15 years of leadership experience from GBH, a PBS-affiliated public broadcasting station, where he led significant fundraising efforts and innovation, including launching the PBS Passport platform.
- MOCA has faced ongoing leadership instability, controversy, and financial challenges, including staff layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic and previous director departures, underscoring the need for Abbott’s steady management and strategic vision.
- Philanthropist Jarl Mohn praised Abbott’s fundraising skills and steady leadership, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and board collaboration to stabilize and grow the institution.
- Abbott aims to broaden MOCA’s community engagement and expand its audience by leveraging his experience in creative industries and public media to enhance the museum’s impact and relevance in Los Angeles.
