March 13, 2013 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles is nearing an agreement to collaborate with Washington’s National Gallery of Art on programming, research, and exhibitions, according to The New York Times.
The five-year alliance would scotch, at least for now, a proposed merger of the financially troubled Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which had promised to lead a $100-million fundraising campaign for MOCA as part of the deal.
The National Gallery arrangement would not include direct financial assistance but would allow MOCA to remain an independent institution. John Wilmerding, chairman of the National Gallery’s board, said the Washington museum was approached by MOCA patron Eli Broad, who has long opposed an alliance with the larger Los Angeles County Museum.
