Is CoCA Still Alive?

CoCA’s statement of purpose, dated October 26th, 1980, declared “We advocate the formation of a contemporary art center in Seattle. The principal goal of the center is to be a catalyst and a forum for the advancement and understanding of contemporary art. The center will energetically participate in both current and evolving issues in contemporary art. This will be done through exhibitions, residencies, special projects, publications, and public discussions. The scope of the center will be regional, national, and international. The center does not intend to acquire a permanent collection, choosing instead to stimulate and respond to new activity.” While CoCA does not keep a permanent collection, we do keep an archive. As we look to our 46th anniversary since declaring our purpose, Center on Contemporary Art invites you to engage with its extensive history and activate the archives. 

Rather than a call for art, we are calling for donations to the archive and to CoCA’s wellbeing. Linked to this proposal is a donation preparation sheet for those interested in contributing to our record of history. Select donations will be put up for exhibition along with materials already contained in our archives.Those that are not selected for the exhibition in the gallery will still be added to the archives. The visual exhibition will consist of artifacts, records, show posters, and other icons of CoCA’s past.