About VEEV MOCA
Our Mission
The Veev Museum of Contemporary Art exists to champion the art of our time. We present exhibitions, programs, and experiences that challenge, inspire, and connect our community to the most vital creative voices working today.
We believe contemporary art has the power to change the way we see ourselves and the world. Through rigorous curatorial practice, innovative education programs, and a commitment to accessibility, VEEV MOCA serves as a gathering place for artists, thinkers, and audiences of all backgrounds.
Our Vision
To be the West Coast’s most dynamic forum for contemporary art — a place where bold ideas are given space, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and the next chapter of art history is written in real time.
Founded: 2008
Collection: 1,200+ works
Gallery Space: 28,000 sq ft
Annual Visitors: 50,000+
Our History
The Veev Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 2008 by philanthropists Richard and Catherine Veev, who envisioned a cultural institution that would bring world-class contemporary art to the La Jolla community. What began as a modest gallery in a converted warehouse has grown into one of Southern California’s most respected contemporary art museums.
In 2014, the museum relocated to its current home at 1100 Prospect Avenue — a striking modernist building designed by architect Tadao Ando’s protégé, Hiroshi Sato. The 28,000-square-foot facility features five gallery spaces, a 100-seat screening room, a sculpture terrace overlooking the Pacific, and state-of-the-art conservation facilities.
Today, VEEV MOCA presents 10–12 exhibitions annually, hosts over 200 public programs, and serves more than 3,500 students through its education department. The museum’s permanent collection has grown to over 1,200 works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and new media.
Leadership
The people guiding VEEV MOCA’s artistic vision and institutional growth.
Dr. Marcus Chen
Executive Director
Former deputy director of the Hammer Museum. Ph.D. in Art History from Columbia University. Has led VEEV MOCA since 2019, overseeing a 40% increase in attendance and the launch of the museum’s digital initiatives.
Dr. Amara Osei
Chief Curator
Previously curator of contemporary art at the Walker Art Center. Specializes in installation art, spatial practice, and postcolonial theory. Organized over 30 major exhibitions across three institutions.
James Whitfield
Director of Development
Twenty years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, including leadership roles at the San Diego Museum of Art and the Getty Foundation. Has grown VEEV MOCA’s annual fund by 60% since joining in 2021.
Maria Santos
Director of Education
M.F.A. from CalArts. Former education director at The Broad. Passionate about making contemporary art accessible to all ages and backgrounds. Leads VEEV MOCA’s studio courses, camps, and community outreach programs.
Press
Recent news and press releases from VEEV MOCA.
February 5, 2026
VEEV MOCA Opens “Liminal Spaces: Architecture of the In-Between”
The museum’s most ambitious exhibition to date brings together six international artists exploring the psychological dimensions of architectural space. The exhibition opens February 8 and runs through May 25, 2026.
December 12, 2025
VEEV MOCA Announces $5 Million Gift for Education Endowment
A transformational gift from the Whitaker Foundation will establish an endowment for free student programs, ensuring that VEEV MOCA’s education initiatives can serve the La Jolla community in perpetuity.
October 8, 2025
Museum Named Among “Top 25 Contemporary Art Spaces in America” by ARTnews
VEEV MOCA was recognized for its “consistently inventive programming and deep commitment to emerging artists” in ARTnews’s annual ranking of the nation’s most vital art institutions.