Following Portland’s Museum of Contemporary Crafts fall from humble grace as an intimate space for patrons with specialized interests in craft art, into its over-extended push for acceptance in the design art circle, the MoCC now finds itself rising from the ashes, with the facility in new, promising hands.
On Thursday, January 6 the MoCC, in parternship with Pacific Northwest College of Art, appointed renowned art dealer, and former gallery owner Jeffrey Thomas as the center’s acting executive director.
According to Leslie Miller, External Relations Specialist for PNCA, Thomas has the appropriate experience and goals similar to the museum’s which made him a suitable candidate for the position. “Thomas’ multifaceted arts career has stretched into the media and advertising fields, an important aspect of his career that strengthens the Museum and PNCA’s major design initiatives,” said Miller.
A failed attempt to revamp the museum and apply said design initiatives paved the road for Thomas’ appointment to the MoCC staff this month. In 2002 David Cohen was appointed director of the museum, then named Contemporary Crafts Museum and Gallery, with hopes of forming a link between the world of art, craft, design, and the place that each held in Portland’s affluent art community. In 2005 the opportunity arose for Cohen to not only change the inner workings of the MoCC but also the outer appearance, as Oregonian developer Jim Winker put a space in the Pearl District on the market, which seemed to reached out to Cohen as an opportunity for a new beginning. In turn Cohen reached out to with an optimistic outlook on the museum’s future success.
Despite the recognition of Oregonians of the Pearl District as the “leader for urban renewal,” Cohen, who facilitated the museum’s move there in 2007, found that the MoCC indeed renewed itself, but not in all areas for the better.
In an in-depth report chronicling the fall of MoCC up to 2009, The Oregonian reporter D. K. Row interviewed marketing manager for the MoCC, Marc Moscato, and learned that the ambition was there, but the development was lacking. “We moved and immediately became another institution,” said Moscato. “Yeah, the programs and exhibits changed, and the shows were more contemporary. But the whole identity thing — maybe it was rushed. We should have grown into it.”
Running off of little steam (i.e. no endowment) MoCC’s transition from demure standings that the then 70 year old museum held, to a more centralized art venue proved unsuccessful. Their reliance on the MoCC’s version of “If you build it, they will come,” was reflected negatively and following their opening in 2007 as the new Museum of Contemporary Craft, the center fell into massive debt, cut staff, and was tipping over the edge, threatened by closure. In late 2008 Cohen stepped down from his directorial position and the museum and the MoCC began looking for ways to relieve their financial burden.
With the help of a nearby school, Pacific Northwest College of Art, the over $1 million debt of the museum was absorbed in 2009, and they are now back on their feet with attention geared toward accomplishing their longstanding commitment of staying focused on craft and incorporating design, as well as expanding on the educational offerings to students and community members inhabiting Portland.
Now having stabilized the museum over the course of the last two years, PNCA and MoCC find themselves starting down a new road, having taken on well known art world patron, Jeffrey Thomas, as the new acting director. Familiar with Thomas and his involvement with the art community, specifically rooted in Portland, the decision was made in anticipation of success and positive improvements on the museums current standing.
“With an eye towards shaping the long-term future of the Museum, it is Thomas’ insight and access to the art, craft and design communities that will be pivotal in his leadership role as Acting Director,” said Miller.
According to an interview with Thomas conducted in 2010 by Row Thomas’ deep-seated roots in the Portland art community are significant, and in turn would have given PNCA and MoCC enough confidence in their choice to make the appointment. 26 years ago Thomas and partner William Jamison opened one of Portland’s renowned galleries, the Jamison/Thomas gallery. After his partner fell ill and passed away, Thomas removed himself from the business in 1992, but continued his involvement in the art world on the side serving on boards and collecting. With his children in college now, and the opportunity to immerse himself more intensely in the scene again, Thomas accepted the offer of acting executive director at the MoCC with open arms this winter.
As the museum approaches their 75 year anniversary in 2012 the appointment of Thomas seems to have come at an appropriate time. In the most recent interview conducted by Row Thomas states, “Personally, I’d like to see us bridge the creative services world, to become a hub for both the design and art communities,” which has been the goal of the PNCA since their initial involvement with the museum. Their own involvement with the design world has been a foundation for the MoCC to embrace new projects, and with the help of Thomas and his skill set grounded in the art design, media, and gallery management sector, the addition of his talent to the team sets the museum up for a provocative new endeavor in the coming six months in which his performance will be evaluated.