by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Citing financial difficulties associated with an economy that has produced dwindling donations to nonprofits, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is looking to transfer its lease to the University of North Florida.
Under the agreement, which must be approved by City Council, MOCA Jax will continue to operate the museum and Cafe Nola. However, UNF will be assigned the lease by the City, which owns the building that houses the museum and the restaurant.
“This is essentially to provide financial stability to the museum,” said Preston Haskell, chairman of the Haskell Co. and chairman of the museum’s board of trustees.
Haskell said the museum, which entered a 99-year lease agreement in 2000 which pays the City $10 a year in rent, is struggling to produce revenue.
“On an operational financial basis, yes,” said Haskell, who explained about 60 percent of the museum’s operating costs come from corporate donations. “This is a terrible climate. Corporations are not making the contributions they used to. We had three $50,000 grants last year, none of which is happening this year. This created a serious financial situation. The museum is important to the community.”
According to the legislation, the museum’s weekly operational hours will be reduced from 44 to 40. However, a waiver of a City Municipal Code will allow UNF, which is a state agency, to pursue cultural services grants. Also, MOCA Jax will still be able to apply for public service grants from the City. The agreement will also permit UNF to take ownership of the museum’s assets and operate the facility, which exists as a nonprofit 501(C)(3). Another stipulation of the bill says the City will convey four pieces of art to the museum, three of which are at the Times-Union Center where they will remain.
Mayoral spokesperson Misty Skipper said the annual rent is $10 because the museum “spent a significant amount of money” on interior and exterior renovations to the building.
“The lease is at a low rate because of their significant investment,” said Skipper. “The City was not involved in the negotiations, but we were asked to transfer the lease.”
Skipper said the museum is running at an annual operating deficit of about $300,000.
Haskell said the idea to partner with a local university arose last year at the suggestion of a museum board member.
“I explored the idea with (UNF President and former Mayor) John Delaney last summer, and we went from there,” said Haskell.
In addition to assuming the lease, Haskell said UNF will establish an educational program at the museum, something that will give it a Downtown presence. Haskell said the partnership makes sense due to a combination of several things.
“The deal is not complete, yet. There are a lot of moving parts,” he said. “The City legislation is one of those parts. The negotiations have been ongoing for several months.”
The bill was approved this week by three Council committees — Rules, Finance and Recreation & Community Development — and could get the final nod from the full Council Tuesday night.
Delaney was not available for comment.
356-2466