Robin Parness Lipson has founded the New Jersey Museum of Contemporary Art, which may find a home in Monmouth County. The painting and sculpture in this photo are from her private collection.
Photo courtesy Robin Parness Lipson
Advertisement
September 7, 2009
In two years, New Jersey may have its first contemporary art museum, and its home will likely be in Monmouth County.
Robin Parness Lipson of Morganville has founded the New Jersey Museum of Contemporary Art, and if things go according to plan, NJ MoCA will be the state’s only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, including projects by Jewish artists from the United States and Israel, along with other established and emerging artists from an international talent pool.
The nonprofit museum will have a positive effect on the state’s cultural image, will provide a catalyst for economic revitalization, and has the potential to become an international tourist destination, said Parness Lipson.
“Places like NJ MoCA can be the source of cultural events that bring tourist dollars and trigger area improvements,” she said. “When the New Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 2007 on the Lower East Side of New York, the whole area began to undergo revitalization. The Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, has become the centerpiece of Spain’s revitalization effort, and the 2007 ‘Documenta’ exhibition in Kassel, Germany, was visited by more than 750,000 paying guests.”
Because many in the international art community have endorsed a Monmouth County location for NJ MoCA, Parness Lipson said, she has been discussing the project with a number of the state’s elected officials, contemporary gallerists, and educational leaders.
But there is a lot of planning that must be dealt with before the two-year target opening date arrives and the museum becomes a reality.
“At this grassroots stage, we’re a small founding group that needs experienced advisers to help move this ambitious project forward,” Parness Lipson said. “We could very much use the active involvement of visionary pro bono volunteers to help spearhead the development of various elements that will take NJ MoCA to the next level and ensure we make the right strategic decisions.”
To that end, NJ MoCA is seeking the assistance from volunteers with expertise in financial planning, real estate solutions, fund-raising, marketing, and web design.
Moving forward
Parness Lipson came up with the idea of a state museum of contemporary art two years ago, while serving on the board of trustees for another New Jersey museum. Now, NJ MoCA has a seven-member founding board that includes Parness Lipson and already has secured the promise of an exhibition from the collection of Susan and Michael Hort of Monmouth Beach, founding board members who have amassed more than 2,000 pieces of modern art, and whose collection is scheduled to launch the museum (talks regarding other exhibits are under way with private collectors and international cultural institutions).
“Now we have a new project,” said Susan Hort. “We’re actively involved in this. It’s on the ground floor right now, but it’s going to happen.”
A search team consisting of gallerists and art foundation members is being formed to find an executive director and curator for the proposed facility, said Parness Lipson, adding that an economic feasibility and impact study also has been assembled.
Many of Parness Lipson’s friends from the Jewish Federation of Monmouth County also have lent their support to the project in the areas of research, legal services, and general enthusiasm, she said.
“They’ve been talking about it and drumming up interest and support in the museum; they’ve been real cheerleaders,” said Parness Lipson, who is a federation board member and was cochair of the Women’s Philanthropy’s annual Main Event in 2008 and 2009.
A collector of contemporary art herself, Parness Lipson said she has had a “lifelong passion” for the arts. She has a bachelor’s degree in French, Italian literature, and international relations from Rutgers University and attended the Universite de Francois Rabelais in France.
She thinks the dedication of the board members and volunteers will help drive NJ MoCA’s mission to provide educational and outreach programs and artist support initiatives, become a philanthropic partner, and engage a diverse audience in the understanding of art’s historical, social, and cultural context.
Meanwhile, plans for the proposed museum are moving forward.
“Of course, looking for donated building with a minimum of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, high ceilings, and open space is a challenge, so the search continues for now,” said Parness Lipson. “We all know the museum project is a huge undertaking, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try and make it happen.”
Additional information and volunteer opportunities are available from Parness Lipson at rparnesslipson@njmoca.org.
Reader Discussion
Comment on this article
--TOP--
Follow NJJN