Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

Beautiful exhibits while I visited. Front desk was very nice, cafe was fun to stop by on the way out. Artists did a phenomenal job. some exhibits held a deep sadness displayed within the works. Each piece serves as a powerful vessel, capturing and preserving emotions, allowing them to be experienced by others over time. This museum makes a true impact, and i am grateful for the time I was able to spend in it while visiting Detroit.

I went on a field trip. The event was so engaging. The art was great. There is something connected about contemporary art. Unlike museum art, it can become a permanent part of your life.

Convenient parking, affordable admission. Friendly, helpful staff. Engaging, intriguing exhibits. Nice quick stop to add in to a day in Detroit.

Really enjoy the curated selection of artists and their work. The staff was very helpful in providing context and answering our questions. Pricing on the merch as not clear though as the prices changed depending on who you asked.

Simply put, the MOCAD is an amazing museum that not enough locals or tourists know about. There is no admission fee: they take donations and have some items for sale that go towards the museum. They regularly cycle out the exhibitions, which are usually from local artists. Each one I see is masterful, and they incite commentary. I'm particularly fond of the viewing room, which always has some cool short film or exhibit that forces you to be present. The rest of the space flows nicely, allowing you to walk through each area confidently and without confusion. It's always clean (even the bathrooms) and the staff are very friendly and chill. The MOCAD Café is also a delight. You don't need to visit the museum to visit the café, as it's located directly to your right as soon as you walk in, bypassing the museum all together. The space holds plenty of tables with seats, and there are more seats at the stocked bar. The bartender, a young black guy with a great sense of style (of a name I have forgotten), was a peach. He's always friendly and quick with orders. He claimed that he was the curator of the drink menu for the winter season and let me say: he did that. I tried two drinks, and they were both outstanding. They also sell baked goods and non-alcoholic beverages like coffee and tea, and most are locally sourced. I had a slice of vegan orange cake, and it was delicious. Parking is a breeze. There's plenty of street parking, and even on busy days, the furthest you'll walk is 1-2 minutes. Visit the MOCAD and make a donation, big or small. They deserve more support from the community they already support so much.

This contemporary art museum doesn't have a permanent collection. You can view work from a variety of contemporary artists throughout the year. We visited on Family Day and enjoyed free admission. This museum is in a former car dealership building and features large, open spaces with some exposed brick. There is a gift shop and a cafe. Free parking is in the back.

Well, It happened. The MOCAD is no longer a free space for artist to join together and enjoy exhibits. At the price of $12 per adult- the self guided exhibit tour took about 30 minutes. The exhibit was beautiful, but for the information posted didn’t list a majority of information about the artist methods or mediums. “Unconventional materials” was used as a description at one point. Including information about pieces including weight and dimensions would be of interested to the museum. One of the exhibits included a padlocked printer, which was supposed to leave the viewer with their own print to take home. It unfortunately was malfunctioning. I will say- the only thing I did enjoy about this trip was that I received a small plastic green token to clip on to my clothing while I was in the museum. It had MOCAD printed on it. I wish more museums had them, so that I could collect them.

Museum is shut to prepare for their gala. According to. Their Web site they are open until 5.00 today... Just a note on the door. They don't deserve support... Save your time and visit a real art museum (one of the best in America) just down the street.

MOCAD is a great little spot located off Woodward in Detroit. It is quaint & the time to get through the museum is quicker than most museums. The set up is perfect for the featured artists. There are discounts for veterans also. There is a cafe located at the end of the tour. This is also an event space!

Here's another gem in the city. I've visited this museum on several occasions as well. The first time was to see the artwork on display. They were featuring a local artist from Detroit at the time. The museum is big on the outside but inside there isn't many pieces of art. It's contemporary which I enjoy. The other portion of the museum is used for shows/events. I went a few weeks ago to see Terri Lyne Carrington and Mickalene Thomas do a collaboration. It was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! I would definitely recommend visiting when there's an event taking place.

Beautiful! Great concert on Noel Night! I took video but I can't load it! I would go back to visit, very hip area!

MOCAD was absolutely amazing to come see. The space is small, but they lack in so many exhibits that it keeps the space exciting. Even better, MOCAD runs off of donations, so if you want to pop by quickly to see some new local artists on display it won't cost you a cent (but please donate to help keep it running!). The galleries inside are able to be manipulated to have different types of media including film and larger sculptural items. MOCAD has done an amazing job highlighting local artists and bringing their voice to life in this space. There is also a small house out back that is part of their gallery space and takes you through a journey as you tour the home. There's also a cafe/bar inside if you need a quick pick me up. I am forever a fan!

I helped my best friend set up for her son's wedding reception here. Amazing staff!! (SHOUT OUT TO John, Charles & Libby) The snack bar was the perfect venue for a reception - great ambiance, layout of space, bar, restroom facilities, everything needed. The reception went wonderfully & the staff were so attentive to make sure it went seamlessly. Bar staff were fun & personable. Security guys at the door were also provided. They were professional, perfect for the role of guarding- we never worried about someone walking by in the neighborhood, slipping in to enjoy the party. Couldn't recommend this place enough!!!

I had a great time. The gentleman who took our donations explain every exhibit very well and even gave us directions. But once you're in there you pretty much get a sense of where you need to go and what you need to do. A lot of the exhibits currently are extremely powerful and their underlying message about unity and differences. I would highly recommend everyone take a free visit and please don't forget to donate.

This is a small museum but they had some cool exhibits. It is not like going to the DIA, more of a quick stop.

This was my first coming to building - I was attending a free Detroit event. I was honestly hoping for MORE art displayed around the place instead of one section. They have a parking lot but getting in and out could get a little tight especially if a popular event getting hosted there; just a few handicap parking spot as well. Please be care because the parking lot is pretty much just dirt, so for the ladies wearing high heels be careful.

We were in and out of this place in about 20 minutes. I love art- I'm an art teacher and love museums. But sadly, this place bummed me out. First, I think this should be called a gallery, not a museum. There were three things to look at (and one was closed today.) I think calling it a museum sets up an expectation that was not met for us. Kind of an over all disappointing experience really. I don't even have much to say because there wasn't much to see. The first exhibit featured some music and it was pretty moving. The second room looked like it could be interesting but a sign said it wasn't open and the third room was taken over by a cardboard labyrinth. We walked through it to arrive at a pile of garbage (literally) in the center. Maybe I'm just not hip enough to understand the meaning. The coolest thing, other than the music, was the way the light shone through the windows in the labyrinth room. :/

Enjoyed the contemporary art exhibit and the cafe. Clean place, courteous staff. Bar part of cafe and delicious pastries and food options to boot. Easy access to Uber driver. Great access to area if you are walking. :)

I adore MOCAD. In the interest of full disclosure, I have an auntie who had a one-woman show here and am tangentially connected to a major donor. But my experience of MOCAD is decidedly pedestrian. No one there knows me and I don't know any of them. So I think it's okay for me to review this venue? I've been here a few times and have always loved the installations. The art is provocative and well displayed. I also love the cafe and the DJ brunches. But this time, I came to see the new installation, "Robolights" which is up through May of next year. It's completely bonkers. In the most fabulous possible way. It's a scary Santa Christmas on acid lawn art imported from Palm Springs. (SoCal has some funky Christmas displays and this one has got to take the cake.) I HIGHLY ;) recommend a visit to this while it lasts... (See what I did there???) I don't even smoke pot anymore but I bet this hoarder holiday heaven would be great with a little greenery under yer belt.

The events here draw an eclectic crowd. The art is limited but very beautiful and diverse. Located inside is a cafe with a great beverage selection.

No demanded entry fee, a good place to visit if on a budget. Cycling art exhibitions with no permanent installations. There is also the mobile homestead, located in a lot nearby.

I love checking out museums of any kind, and decided to come here on a whim today. I wasn't sure what to expect, and even though I had a good time, I don't know that I was all that impressed. I can appriciate the design, but there wasn't enough for me to enjoy an afternoon with. I was expecting a lot more. I came down and parked in the lot, walked in and really liked the rough urban feel to the entry way. There was a really nice man who was in the entry way, and I asked him a few questions about the museum. He told me about the current exhibits and that even though there isn't a formal entrance change, a $5 donation is accepted. The cool part of the museum was that it's a really great space and I got to watch a video made by an artist, along with a living exhibit of a lady in a beautiful dress playing guitar. They also have a cafe where you can grab a snack or drink at as well. It just wasn't enough for me, and with all the competition on this side of town, or corner I should say, it's not enough to get me to come back unless a really special exhibit is in town. Thank you MOCAD, you are kinda cool. Just not enough for me, I'm sorry.

I simply adore this museum! It's cozy, interesting, and FREE (donations are appreciated though). Every time I'm here, I'm always greeted by someone asking me if it's my first time and explaining the current exhibit. The efforts of the employees are not forgotten!!!! Along with the great staff, they always have cool exhibits. Given that it is a CONTEMPORARY art museum, they always seem to display interesting pieces! What's also another plus is that there is a hip cafe/bar connected to the museum! Although I haven't been able to try it, I am going to make sure I do during my next visit!

"Everything is going to be alright" I saw those neon lights nearly everyday during the winter of my first year in Detroit. It was actually surprisingly soothing and had the power to snap me out of my panic. And then the installation was changed to "Nothing will be alright" had the same power over my mood but only potentiated my disdain for this city. Damn art. Invoking feeling and stuff. But from my apartment I could see super swank events going on. Including one event that had a huge Mercedes Benz symbol overhead and $100k Benzes and Smart cars totally surrounding a 3 block radius filled with potholes and abandoned buildings. I so wish I took pictures of this because it WAS a sight to be seen. This endless line of expensive cars probably could have bought the entire city of Detroit, Monica Conyers included. But after two "dance parties" fueled by hipster-sweat -- I LOVE the MOCAD, and I have NO IDEA why I put off visiting for SO LONG. I can't say I understand any of the exhibitions I've seen so far. I just don't get it... ANY of it. But it's fun to discuss after downing a few drinks. And they are definitely conversation provoking if not traditionally pretty-to-look-at. The MOCAD is the single most life breathing culturally inspiring place we have in this city. Sorry, the DIA doesn't come close. The DIA doesn't encourage people to move down to Detroit and it doesn't really support a Detroit culture. It's more of a thing for suburban people to come look at and promptly leave. Without the MOCAD, Midtown would be dead. And the hipster population would be nil. Hey, we all gotta compromise.

Awesome museum pay what u wish. Incredibly inspiring and thoughtful exhibits. Will come back every visit

Free admission, woopee cushions and haunted hoopties in an indoor cornstalk field? What's not to love? The current exhibition is a winner, full of Afro-futurist funk, but even if the occasional exhibit is a dud, you can get your money back. With no permanent collection and a willingness to give outre and outlandish art some exhibit space, the MOCAD is a great compliment to the DIA. They also show movies and have artists speak from time to time. There is admission for special events, but it's usually worth it. I had the pleasure to attend a talk by Art Spiegelman here. I do wish they'd repaint the exterior. I like Barry McGee and all but that giant "Josh One" tag? There's nothing special at all about it besides the fact that it's really big. If it were the size of an average graffiti tag I'd paint over it in an instant, with nary a second thought. They got a "Monster Drawing Rally" coming up on December 7th. Wonder how I get in on that...

When expecting to view ur-contemporary art of the artiest kind, hoping to be one of the cognoscenti of the Detroit urban art scene, one goes to Mocad. Mocad. Even the name evokes a post industrial post modern post irony delicious savoriness. The newest of the new. The hippest of the hip. The iPhoniest of the iPhones. However, that awareness dies not extend to something as simple as the dreaded Internet. Mocad has a website. It's actually not bad. However, Mocad apparently doesn't realize that word of mouth doesn't spread the news that they will be closed on, oh, say, Friday. It is a terrible burden in 2016 to keep a website current. You have to do things like log in, type some text, and press post. You also have to give a damn about whether people visit you. And, no, it isn't really a bother to drive 45 minutes to come to Mocad just to be turned away by the blame deflecting, but nice, guy at the desk. Might I suggest to the managers of Mocad the following policy: 1. When closing the museum, make sure potential patrons know about it. 2. Your website matters. In fact, it's pretty much the only thing that matters in situations like these. It's not as if someone's going to grab a paper or call. 3. Keep said website up to date at all times. Perform this simple, obligatory post-modern task, and you will be rewarded with a general perception of competence .

A must for fans of industrial chic. The interior is massive and gorgeously conceived to maximize the experience of seeing art in this mind of setting. I loved it.

Currently on View at the Museum is the exhibition Richard Prince:Portraits, this was immediately following the Kaws: Alone Again exhibition, which came and went to much chagrin. Curated by Library Street Collective, funded generously by their parent company, Quicken Loans, and following Dan Gilberts purchase of a large Bronze sculpture by the artist. Fanboys galore, and proudly brandishing a sign stating "we do not have any more Kaws prints in the building", one can only assume how many, would-be investors had yelled at the unfortunate gallery intern for not giving them what they wanted. When I "had a few too many" at the bar, that unpaid intern deserved every profanity I could think of, but over a print...? There's simply no excusing that behavior. I had high hopes for this new exhibition, I was a fan of Richard Prince ever since hearing about Spiritual America, which my wife still wont allow me to hang in our living room, however this project was different. His latest series are printed screen shots from "influencers" instagram posts, in which the artist leaves cryptic, overly vulnerable, or otherwise disconcerting comments, seen at the bottom of each print. When I heard he was coming to Detroit, I was elated, My own daughter, who does nothing all day, but post Mirror selfies from My bathroom mirror, (she had hers taken away because apparently asking for her to pay rent at sixteen was a good reason to call CPS on me), Was the perfect target for Richard Prince's, CyberStalking as Art. I had begun looking at every photograph in the series, and was coaching my daughter on what poses to make, what hashtags, who to follow, everything she needed to do to grab the attention of the inappropriately old, exhibiting artist, all under the guise of buying her a Kaws print, which MOCAD's website had typed in large print "OUT OF STOCK", I still called a few times just in case. After paying simply way too much for the "privilege" of attending the recent MOCAD Gala, I was incredibly upset to find that Richard Prince, did not in fact, print and publish an incredibly personal image of my teenaged daughter for an international audience dominated by middle-aged men. I had made my way to the bar for a few drinks and had found myself escorted out after trying to explain my issues with the exhibition to one of the museum representatives. Good drinks, but a bit pricey.

Unfortunately, when I came here I missed their collection of portraits of rap artists. They have an incredibly beautiful warehouse space in a great location near all the other museums on Woodward. You walk in and it is bright and spacious with lots of natural sunlight coming in from ceiling high windows. It has an unfinished feel and I love the raw skeleton ceiling when you look up. I didn't like the exhibits that were on display when I went, except for the sustainable architecture which was incredibly interesting. If you have time to check it out, it can even help you out with "green" ideas if you are renovating your house. I want to keep track of what they are showing because they have such a great space, I'm excited to see what they do with it. They have great people working there and it's free! They throw excellent parties here, also. One complaint: there is no changing table in the bathroom... I know it is a hip spot, but it is a museum, and families are going to want to check it out.

Neat little space in downtown Detroit that i didn't even know existed. It's totally free of charge and has an incredible cafe and industrial space. Parking is available, but it fills up quick so find parking along the street. I don't really "get" contemporary art, but it was still cool to see a lot of artists' work!

It was small very small and had a few exhibits but nothing awe inspiring in my opinion I'm gonna sound like a fat boy for what I'm about to say but the food at cafe 78 inside of the museum made it worth it hehe

My daughter was just married at MOCAD. Leto was a great help and very personable right from the start. He and his team did a fantastic job of helping us plan and envision the event. The day of the wedding they set up for the ceremony and reception exactly as planned. Everything looked beautiful and flowed seemlessly. They were timely and professional, and helped tirelessly with smiles all around. Thank you Leto & the entire amazing team. I would recommend you in a heartbeat.

This was an interesting spot. I'd have to say my favorite part of it was the bright painted mural exterior, and it's a nice location in Midtown near Wayne State. I can't judge it too harshly because it's under renovation, but I was underwhelmed by the lack of art and exhibits. There were some cool photography collages, all based around one theme: airplane crashes, handshakes, facepalms, earthquakes, celebrities through car windows, people checking watches. The main exhibit area had some cool art from South American artists. But the art was sparse. I easily made it through everything in less than 20 minutes. I think there's a lot of potential for this space, but as it is, it's not a destination museum. It's something you can add on for you day at the DIA a few blocks down Woodward. Best part of MOCAD is their cafe. They had a cool little bar area with live music on a Sunday afternoon. 90% of the people in the building that day were in the cafe area, and it really was the highlight of the interior. There's no admission fee for MOCAD, but they ask for a suggested donation of $5. There's a dedicated parking lot behind the museum, but it's not paved. I happened to go on a snowy day, and it was very muddy with big puddles.

This is overdue, but so glad there's a place like this in my home. It's nice to see this whenever I'm able to visit. The exhibits are always changing and it's a good place to drop by and check out. There is a cafe and bar available. It also serves as a venue for events. MOCAD offers youth programs including teen council, workshops, summer camp, and more. It's great for the youth to be a part of and get involved. That makes for a better community.

The museum was very fun! I was there attending the Metro Time's 30th Birthday party. I the museum is basically two huge spaces, very warehouse like. I would definitely try it again when there isn't such a big function going on, to get more of the contemporary feel. The only downside to the place was there is no air conditioning. It probably isn't bad when there is not a lot of people. But I felt like I was in a sweat box, and it definitely made me leave early because of the heat. As other reviewers have wrote MOCAD is free. So when you are looking for something to do on a quiet afternoon, stop in and check it out.

This place has a great intentions but the exhibitions are pretty shallow and very hit or miss. Tons of potential, though.

I liked the place, but I didn't LOVE it. Design wise, the interior was really minimal and modern with exposed white brick walls and ceilings. The overall space is small and cozy, but the meandering hallways and the amount of artwork that was present was just right. :) Husband and I came here along with two other friends who live nearby to attend a sushi brunch put on by awesome Dr. Sushi. All of us had never been here, so it was nice being able to knock two birds with one stone. Just a note: If you're following your GPS, and you are traveling southbound on Woodward from Warren Ave., the Museum is actually on your LEFT side, not right (as my GPS had told me). The exterior has decent sized black block lettering indicating the spot, but if you're not careful, you can easily miss the place. We paid the obligatory $5 suggested admission, as any local funding is helpful. The store out front is maintained by a rather aloof gentleman, but the offerings are good. There are loads of eclectic books, art pieces, sculptures, and other knick knacks. I was particularly drawn to the book selection, as many of the published works are of local artists. Once you pay your $5 (or whatever you'd like to donate), the first hallway leads to a media room showcasing two films. At the time when we went, only one out of the two were playing. That one being called "The Long Sorrow." We caught the tail end of it, and to be honest, the discordant soundtrack was really distracting to the visual. The visual elements were quite nice and tranquil, but the soundtrack? Too distracting. Onwards, you will come across another room that houses a multitude of contemporary print pieces. This was probably my favorite, as visually, it made me happy because of all the color displayed. Not wanting to get too artsy fartsy with ya'll, but the symbolism behind each piece was deep and thought-provoking. You could easily spend a few hours just deciphering all the meanings behind these pieces (if that floats your boat :)). The last room was probably the most creative one of all, with 5 different vehicles filled with sound effects and decorated to the max. It is quite an eye full; definitely check it out. I didn't have enough understanding of it all, but I was intrigued by it. It would have been nice had there been descriptions on what the artist was trying to achieve in their piece. Overall, this place was fun to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Topped off with some delicious sushi, the time spent there was well worth it. If you're a contemporary art aficionado, I recommend coming here.. Or at least, if you're not, it'll open up your mind to current contemporary art pieces floating around Detroit.

MOCAD is an exceptionally brilliant arts project for having the vision to incorporate not just visual art exhibitions into their space, but an entire arsenal of community-centered events and functions: poetry readings, live music, academic lectures, community interest panels, dance nights, holiday events, craft tutorials - the bulk of which is free to attend. And that's just a list of the things I'm aware of or have experienced first hand. The actual art collections that they bring through are of super quality and excellently curated. I'm always excited to see what's new inside. Also, they have an über-hip book collection for sale, where you can find not just art catalogues but also literary journals and graphic novels. The only thing preventing MOCAD from a perfect score is the fact that they recently closed down their stellar in-house café. I'd used the café for a bite and some study-time, and it was ideal. Quiet, full of light, and great food and drinks. I imagine that a lack of foot traffic forced the decision on economic grounds (I'm guessing here... otherwise, HUGE mistake), but I'm holding out that perhaps it will see a re-birth someday soon. It's still used to sell bottled beverages and pre-wrapped sandwiches during major events. Another great cultural resource for those of us who live here.

Super cool place. Open and industrial. Went to a family event - pinatas and cascarones. All of the MOCAD employees or volunteers were very nice and helpful. Fun, fun, fun. What a cool way to spend an afternoon. Can't wait to go back.

MOCAD has three great exhibitions on view right now. My favorite of the three are the short films by Jester Just. YOU MUST SEE THESE! Overall, the space is great. Music and other programs are always worthwhile. I was sad to hear the cafe closed. The food was amazing! I guess people just didn't know it was there and available. I will keep my fingers crossed that they bring it back!

Very disappointing to say the least. I was so excited to visit, I've heard so much about it and the reviews on here were very good. Plus, the building exterior is very cool and frequently changes! It took about 20 minutes to walk around the two exhibits. One of the exhibits (which looked like it was in a big room) was closed for some reason. There was a also a speaker the day I visited but I didn't go see. Exhibit one has the most epic in piece of artwork in the museum, and it was actually pretty cool. It was a hand drawn street view of some steers in Detroit, and was on a very long scroll. From there, it went downhill, unfortunately. Basically there were two videos you could watch and a few white plates on the wall which were apparently placeholders for an upcoming plate piece. In the next gallery was, simply, a bunch of photos of Detroit. After that, that was everything. Oh, and the gift shop. There's also an actual home that's located next to the parking lot in the back. That was honesty better than the main museum. It featured mini libraries that were eventually going to be placed around Detroit, which was really cool. Each one was uniquely decorated. In the garage was an exhibit by an artist that had multiple pieces. Each had a drawing of an animal and a funny caption that represented the animals thoughts. Maybe I came in on a bad day, I'm not sure, but MOCAD sure was unexpected, unfortunately in a bad way. Maybe I'll have to come back and give it another try when some other exhibits are being shown.

With the negativity surrounding Detroit, a place like MOCAD can quickly remind one that Motown still has some kind of wonderful flowing through her veins. Located off of Woodward, just blocks from the Wayne State University campus the gigantic art warehouse space is one of Detroit's shining gems within the art community. Offering great shows featuring local and urban art and live music, MOCAD aptly covers the world of art in their own unique and innovative way. Every time I've attending a function at MOCAD I am more impressed and again, reminding of the wonderful people and places in Motown. If you're looking to get a sense of the local art community check out MOCAD.

I'm a huge fan of contemporary art so it was a real treat to visit the MOCAD, just blocks away from the Detroit Institute of Art. The space is big with a gravel parking lot right next to it. I appreciated the fact that it was free, but highly encourage people to make a small donation to support the arts. The spacious interior made for a good exhibit with pieces placed well and non-clustered. The current exhibit was conceptual in nature, so the exhibit booklet helped out well. Each of the stations were clearly called out and well described, which made for a meaningful experience. Overall, if you're looking for a place to enjoy contemporary art and feel inspired the MOCAD should be on your list of artistic to do's in Detroit.

Although there is no exhibition, it provides a very warm and free office atmosphere. Thanks.

Yep! That happened finally came here with the hubby who has been a million times. Had coffee and chocolate panna cotta! Gggrrreaaaat! Love the location and the inside looks so awesome! They also have a garage door that lift's up- looks sweet!!!!! Not busy on the weekends like I expected.

Although I am not a great aesthete, I love MOCAD. The reason: they throw the best parties around. Two of the year's best parties this year were their Halloween party and the Valentines party. There is great music, a great crowd of hipsters and characters, and of course wonderful dancing. Considering that Detroit is kind of a post-city city hemorrhaging its young people, places like MOCAD are very appreciated.

I can't believe this hasn't been reviewed yet! And if it has... well, then, I'm in trouble. MOCAD is an awesome art space, period. Any gripes I have about any other art space in Detroit doesn't apply to MOCAD because it's run well, has quality exhibitions, and all around suits my style. The building looks like an abandoned warehouse that's been tagged (see photo). However, that's just how the museum chose to represent it, and I find that awesome! No fountains, or statues... just brick and spray paint. Who can say no to that? I saw the second installation of Shrinking Cities here, the other installation being at Cranbrook. It was a nice introduction to the museum. All that I said above applies doubly here - it was as if the idea of Shrinking Cities was manifested by the bare bones nature of the galleries. Anyone who's into urban art definitely needs to go here. Though there are other places that do urban art, I think MOCAD does it the best in the city. By all means, see them all, but if you have to skip a gallery, don't skip this one!

This summer's vacation bucket list was to make a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. It's a small museum that consists of a main lobby, three galleries and a restaurant. Obviously they are still working on it. Unfortunately there were 2 exhibits that were closed on the day that I visited. One inside the biggest gallery space had just ended the day before and an external exhibit that was only open during the weekend. Currently MOCAD does not yet charge admission, but accepts donations (do it!). I was with my sister J. who struck up a conversation with the artist (old school Detroiter) of the closing exhibit; she then invited to give us a personal tour of it. That was pretty cool. We viewed a video performance art piece and viewed the only other open exhibit in the second gallery. There's a tiny museum store in the main lobby. I must comment on the fact that the women's restroom was well designed with plenty of stalls (about time!). I find it a little strange that the restaurant space is pretty large in contrast to the smallness of the general venue. Parking is tough in that part of downtown so thankfully they have free parking outside.

I'm not gonna lie. The thing I love the most about MOCAD is that it's FREE! I'm guessing that will not always be the case, since every other museum in Midtown is charging and MOCAD really does have something to contribute to our cultural center. I had no idea what to expect when we arrived, but I suppose I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. We walked in and I immediately noted the warehouse-y, open, lightness of the space. There's an information/reception/welcome desk to the right and the couple people hanging out there told me I could take the guide to the three exhibits on display and get to it. I don't know much about modern art, I suppose, and much of the time I'm definitely surprised by what people consider art. I still appreciated the effort and concept of each exhibit. The first exhibit was Design 99's "Too Much of a Good Thing" and was more architectural than anything. It included a spray painted bobcat (sculpture) that was also functional. There was another piece that was actually sticking out of the wall and based on the corresponding photo on another wall, it was originally sticking out of a house. There was also a film loop in one area that showed the making of some of the pieces. The second exhibit was "Mother May I" from Latoya Ruby Frazier and was primarily photography, although there were several companion pieces that were digital video loops. Photos included "Mom, Me and a Gun", "Mom and Her Boyfriend Mr. Art" and "Grandma Ruby and Me", which was probably my favorite. This one was the most intimate and exposing and seemed voyeuristic, which might have been the intention. The final exhibit was clearly the big deal and the one I enjoyed the most, due to my familiarity with the subject. "Woodward Avenue" by Jeff Geys was a project that involved picking the wild weeds at 12 intersections along Woodward Ave, starting at Cadillac Square in Detroit and ending at Saginaw Street in Pontiac. Accordingly, there are twelve pieces to this exhibit (one for each weed/intersection), as well as a couple digital film loops in a dark room off of the main exhibit. We didn't sit and watch these through, but they were filmed in Bolivia and tied-in to the project. I'll leave that for other people to explore on their own. There's a small area, closed off by a giant book display, that is considered the store. There were lots of interesting books and Detroit-themed stuff, and definitely a good place to get an interesting gift. I would certainly recommend MOCAD if you're looking for something to do that's out of the norm and inexpensive (can't get any less expensive than FREE!). I enjoyed the hour we spent there, and could have spent a little longer, but we had other free things to do.

A local introduced me to MOCAD. Exhibits are provocative. The ideas are new, young and adventurous. Space is inviting. Lots of easy parking. Staff is super friendly. Surprised by the low/no admission fee. I had never heard of MOCAD until my last visit to Detroit. My (teen) daughter went crazy in the gift shop, which is small but sells cool stuff. We're visiting again during our next trip.

MOCAD is great. I like MOCAD so much I started volunteering there. They regularly change their exhibits and the host a wide range of activities that appeal to a wide age group. The staff is friendly and the gift shop is full of fun items. I recently purchased a MOCAD whoopee cushion (I'm pretty sure every museum should advertise on whoopee cushions). I highly recommend stopping by if you have a couple hours to spare in Detroit.

I was invited by friends to attend an opening last month at the MOCAD. The space is very open and raw when you enter, but as you circle inside the building and smaller rooms you find more and more to appreciate. The Dig For Victory installation is so unique and thought provoking to say the least.

Very interesting, The MOCAD just has weird hours, so before I go I always have to google up that info. But I like it, and I'd surely go again.

MOCAD is a great space. It's an old car dealership converted into a modern art museum, so it's a true representation of the Detroit creativity. Make sure you visit on a night they have live music, it's a great experience. The music just echoes throughout the space, making your experience even better.

I spent far longer than I had planned at this place. The exhibits are unique and moving and the staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

uhm, here's the deal... kraftwerk.... and the belleville three... together in the dj booth. and we were there. even though it was sold out, and we didn't have tickets. and it was at MOCAD. therefore MOCAD is awesome.