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MOCA names Jonathan Abbott director after yearlong search

The former GBH president takes charge as the Los Angeles museum seeks stability and prepares for its 50th anniversary.

Image credit: Ngb / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 1.0; archival 2004 photo of MOCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles appointed Jonathan Abbott as its director and chief executive after a search lasting more than a year, the Los Angeles Times reported September 24. Abbott begins immediately and succeeds interim director Ann Goldstein. He previously led Boston public broadcaster GBH for 15 years.

What it means locally

Abbott becomes MOCA’s sixth director since 2008. His experience includes managing nearly 800 employees at GBH, helping launch the PBS Passport streaming service and leading a $215-million fundraising campaign. MOCA is seeking steadier leadership after repeated changes at the top.

With the museum’s 50th anniversary two years away, Abbott said he wants to expand its audience and deepen ties to Los Angeles civic and arts organizations. MOCA’s collection contains more than 8,000 objects. The accompanying 2004 photograph shows the museum and is not a portrait of Abbott or an image from the appointment announcement.

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