North Bay philanthropist Ronald R. Collins is one of the region’s most eclectic art collectors and most generous supporters. One of his favorite North Bay art organizations is Novato’s nonprofit Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, aka the MarinMOCA, where a gallery is named in his honor.
Recently, Collins once again showed his support with a $50,000 donation to MarinMOCA. The donation comes as the museum prepares to make an important management transition.
According to the museum, Collins made this significant gift to honor retiring MarinMOCA Executive Director Nancy Rehkopf and to welcome her replacement, Amy Owen, who starts her new role on April 5.
Collins is a longtime major supporter of MarinMOCA, and his previous grants have helped the museum renovate its building and develop its staff while also supporting several exhibitions.
“During her time at the museum, Nancy transformed this organization into the Marin’s premier place for art,” Collins says in a statement. “She founded the museum’s education programs for students, created its membership, docent, and publishing capabilities, and increased the museum’s revenue by more than 50-percent.”
With more than two decades of experience in the regional and national arts ecosystems, Amy Owen is more than ready to step into the role of Executive Director at MarinMOCA.
She most recently worked for the McEvoy Foundation for the Arts in San Francisco as the Exhibitions and Public Programs Manager. Prior to that, Owen served nearly seven years as Curator at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Napa. She also previously worked as Senior Exhibitions Manager in the Visual Arts Department at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco and Director of Exhibitions at Artists Space in New York City.
In addition to her strategic planning and leadership experience, Owen brings a career-long commitment to the development of emerging artists and Bay Area arts communities.
“MarinMOCA’s artist-centered legacy and historic campus make it a dynamic locale for the development of innovative, challenging, and unexpected exhibitions and programs that reflect the distinctive spirit of Northern California,” Owen states. “It’s an honor to join the organization’s passionate team at this pivotal moment and to build upon the museum’s growth as a unique destination for contemporary art while celebrating its rich history.”
In addition to exhibitions, MarinMOCA provides art enrichment programs for local elementary students, annually teaches more than 200 adult art classes offers professional development opportunities for more than 150 local artist members.
Currently, MarinMOCA is exhibiting “M. Louise Stanley: No Regrets.” an exciting retrospective show featuring the legendary Bay Area artist. The exhibition is open by appointment, and the museum is offering docent tours beginning March 24 and running every Wednesday and Saturday morning, through April 17. These tours are limited to 8 participants, and reservations are required.
MarinMOCA is located at 500 Palm Dr., Novato. Open by appointment. Mainmoca.org.
