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Joseph C. Thompson, who began this position in 1988, spent his first 11 years in operation only to open the museum in a former shopping complex.
By Colin Moynihan
Joseph C. Thompson, who was the founding director of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in 1988, left office last October, announced the establishment Friday.
Mr. Thompson spent his first 11 years as a director opening the museum in a commercial brick building complex that once housed a textile factory and electronics factory. More recently, he helped the museum in North Adams succeed over the coronavirus pandemic even when he fired 120 of his 165 employees.
In between, the MASS MoCA, as it is called, has become the largest establishment in the United States committed to new art, with 550,000 square feet of area in 17 buildings. In addition to the visual arts, the museum’s programming includes workshops on music, dance, theatre, film and artists in residence.
“After more than three decades as a director, it’s the best time for me to stay away from the museum’s daily control,” Thompson said in a statement. “The functions of this glorious position and the wonderful other people who paint there are limitless, and the next director will have endless opportunities to advance the MISSION of MASS MoCA.”
Timur Galen, chairman of the board of directors of the MASS MoCA Foundation, said the museum was grateful to Mr. Thompson and added: “His dedication, innovation and leadership have made MASS MoCA a major site for the creation and enjoyment of fresh art in all forms.”
Museum officials said Thompson’s resolution of resigning is not similar to the fact that he faces a car murder case. The case stems from a collision in 2018 with a motorcyclist who died. Mr. Thompson pleaded not guilty.
Starting last October, Mr. Thompson will spend a year as a special adviser to the board of directors, the museum said, focusing on fundraising and special projects. Tracy Moore, deputy director of the museum and leading chief operating officer, will serve as acting director while directors seek a permanent director.
The concept of MASS MoCA was born in 1986 when Thomas Krens, then director of the Williams College Museum of Art, envisioned the opening of an artistic area in one of the region’s former commercial complexes. With that of Governor Michael Dukakis, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a $35 million grant for the project. A short time later, Mr. Krens became director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan and Mr. Thompson, who had also worked at the Williams College Museum, was appointed director of MASS MoCA even before its opening.
Mr. Thompson won government funding, Mr. Dukakis’ successor, William Weld, expressed reservations about the project. Sometimes unpaid and understaffed, Mr. Thompson also raised a budget from personal sources. For some people, it seemed that the museum would never open, however, this was the case in 1999, when installers rushed to hang Robert Rauschenberg’s huge piece “The 1/4 Mile or 2 Furlong Piece” in a gallery almost the length of a football field.
“The museum, which was built more than 10 years ago, has such a beautiful space that it wants art a little,” critic Roberta Smith wrote in The Times.
Since then, the museum has exhibited paintings through Sol LeWitt, Laurie Anderson, Jenny Holzer, Anselm Kiefer and James Turrell. The museum presented a residency program that included new projects and experimental paintings underway through Bill T. Jones, William Kentridge, David Byrne, Urban Bush Women and Paola Prestini.
Concerts and music can be enjoyed at the museum. Thompson co-founded the annual summer music Bang on a Can at MASS MoCA, the museum said. The museum added that it also co-produced Solid Sound, the Wilco Music and Art Festival held there, and Freshgrass, an annual publication of American roots and alternative folk music.
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