40 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2019 

A visionary leader’
s infl
 uence 
helps MOCAD look toward a 
secure, meaningful future.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A

rt enthusiasts launch-
ing the Museum of 
Contemporary Art 
Detroit (MOCAD) had cul-
tural dreams that reached way 
beyond their own lifetimes. 
They wanted to establish 
— and did in 2006 — a wel-
coming art center with space 
for viewing, discussing and 
making today’
s art with varying 
programs to interest people of 
diverse ages and backgrounds.
One leader was Julie Reyes 

Taubman, who showcased her 
personal artistic talents through 
photography. Proceeds from her 
book, Detroit: 138 Square Miles, 
went to the museum.
The Reyes and Taubman fam-
ilies have joined to help realize 
dreams that now extend beyond 
her lifetime, which ended in 
2018. They are supporting a 
capital fundraising campaign 
that will enhance the building 
and its surroundings while 
establishing an endowment. 

PLY+ ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

Moving the 
Dream Forward

A re-envisioned MOCAD features 
a outdoor plaza for gathering 
and varied events and more 
space inside for exhibitions and 
programming, all while retaining 
the original characteristics of the 
Albert Kahn-designed building.

PLY+ ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

The museum’
s entrance on Garfield Street

Arts&Life

museum

