MoCA Taipei

The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, commonly known as MoCA Taipei, is a museum of contemporary art located in Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan. Established in 2001, it holds the distinction of being Taiwan's first museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The institution is owned by the Taipei Culture Foundation and has developed a reputation for balancing a primary focus on Taiwanese contemporary art with increasingly international programming.

The museum's origins trace back to 1996, though it officially opened on May 26 or 27, 2001, following extensive renovations. The building was constructed in 1921 during Japanese colonial rule as Kensei Elementary School, designed by architect Kondo Joro. After Taiwan's handover to the Republic of China in 1945, it served as the seat of the Taipei City Government, becoming a recognizable landmark due to its symmetrical form and historicist belltower. When the city government relocated to Xinyi District in 1993 under Mayor Huang Ta-Chou, the structure was designated a historical building. The museum was established through a partnership with Jian Cheng Junior High School, which occupies the rear portion of the complex. Under director Shih Jui-jen, MoCA Taipei expanded its international presence, notably organizing a solo exhibition for Taiwanese artist Yang Maolin at the 2009 Venice Biennale and co-organizing the Animamix Biennial with MoCA Shanghai, Today Art Museum Beijing, and Guangdong Museum of Art in 2009 and 2010. Director Loh Li-chen, who served from 2019 to 2025, continued this international orientation while also supporting local artists and young talent, and established a presenting partnership with the Han Nefkens Foundation.

MoCA Taipei showcases changing exhibitions of contemporary art rather than maintaining a permanent collection in the traditional sense. Its programming encompasses contemporary Taiwanese art as a core strength, while also incorporating international painting, sculpture, and media art. The museum has demonstrated particular commitment to fostering emerging artists and building cross-cultural connections, as evidenced by its 2023 presentation of NEXUS, the first exhibition in Taiwan devoted exclusively to artists from the Caribbean.

As an exhibition-focused institution, MoCA Taipei does not emphasize permanent holdings. However, its temporary exhibitions have included significant works. In 2023, the museum secured the first stop of the international touring exhibition of Banksy's 'Love is in the Bin,' authorized by Pest Office, which was displayed from July 1 to August 13, 2023. The work was described as one of the most iconic contemporary artworks of the 21st century. The museum has also presented solo exhibitions of established and emerging artists, including a 2013 exhibition of Franco-Canadian artist Grégory Chatonsky and a 2021-2022 exhibition featuring French artists Yannick Dauby and Emma Dusong.

The museum occupies the front portion of a two-story, symmetrically arranged building with a central belltower, constructed in 1921 in a historicist style during the Japanese colonial period. Originally designed as a school by Kondo Joro, the structure retains its highly recognizable symmetrical facade. The building is shared with Jian Cheng Junior High School, which occupies the rear section. Its location in Datong District places it within one of Taipei's older urban quarters, distinct from the modern Xinyi District where the city government relocated.

MoCA Taipei is situated in Datong District, Taipei, and is accessible on foot from Zhongshan Station of the Taipei Metro to the southwest. The museum is owned by the Taipei Culture Foundation and operated in conjunction with its partner institution, Jian Cheng Junior High School. Its official website is http://www.mocataipei.org.tw/. The museum continues to function as an active exhibition venue, maintaining its role as a key platform for contemporary art in Taiwan while pursuing international collaborations.