The Hostos Archives recently completed an archival finding aid to the Museum of Contemporary Hispanic Art (MoCHA) records. Prepared by assistant archivist Matt Flaherty and Nadya Rodriguez, the finding aid describes the rich collection of artist’s files and memorabilia. The guide includes a searchable list of artists and their country of origin prepared by Hostos student Yahaira Rodriguez. Funding for this arrangement and description project was provided by a New York State Archives Documentary Heritage Program grant.
MoCHA was born in 1985 as an alternative museum in SoHo that showcased the art of Latin American and Latino artists under-represented in mainstream institutions. It operated under the umbrella of Friends of Puerto Rico, Inc. (FOPR), a non-profit organization founded in 1956. From 1975 to 1984, FOPR administered the Cayman Gallery, which in its lifetime was the only non-commercial Hispanic arts center in the mainstream of American Art.
Despite its short existence, MoCHA helped launch the career of numerous artists who became successful in the nineties. After it closed in 1990, its archival records were housed at HCC in an effort to preserve them. These invaluable records document the history of the museum and the early careers of many Latino and Latin American artists it exhibited. Primary sources include exhibition and artist files, recorded symposia of public programs organized by the museum, and exhibition catalogs.
MoCHA was a truly unique resource as it provided a broad range of rewarding services that addressed the needs of the Hispanic artist, including: a visual arts program where artists could exhibit their work in an individual or group atmosphere; a special events program that showcased the performing arts; and an outreach program designed to bring Hispanic art to new and exciting venues.
Perhaps the most valuable is the Visual Arts Resource Center. The center was an extensive repository aimed at gathering, organizing and maintaining information on and for the Hispanic artist. It consisted of artist files, a slide registry and a library of books, magazines and catalogs on the history and achievements of Hispanics in the Arts. These programs were vital to MoCHA’s ability to provide the widespread exposure necessary to nurture the careers of a population ignored by the art world.
Researchers, students and others can use the collection by making an appointment with the archives staff. For more information visit the Hostos Library and Archives web page.
William Casari (Hostos)
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