Suzanne Weaver. Photo: Gesi Schilling, courtesy Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.
Suzanne Weaver. Photo: Gesi Schilling, courtesy Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Miami, founded by the former board of trustees and staff of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami (see “MOCA North Miami Closes in Controversy“), is making a fresh start in its new Miami Design District home with Suzanne Weaver, who has been appointed the reborn institution’s interim director.

A 20 year art world veteran, Weaver has previously held curatorial positions at institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art and the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Alex Gartenfeld, who had served in an interim capacity as director since September of 2013, following the departure of Bonnie Clearwater, has been promoted to deputy director and chief curator. He joined the museum in May of 2013 as a curator.

The new ICA Miami looks to move past its troubled MOCA North Miami past, which saw the city fail to provide funding and led to a heated battle over museum leadership (see “The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami Sues City For Breach of Contract” and “Racist Taunts Escalate MOCA North Miami Feud“).

It will open in the the Design District’s Moore Building in December, presumably just in time for Art Basel in Miami Beach festivities (see “Art Basel in Miami Beach 2014 Boasts an Intimidating 267 Galleries“). The interim space, provided rent-free by Miami Design District Associates while the board of trustees seeks a new permanent home, measures 12,500 square feet.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Suzanne Weaver as our new interim director, whose talent, enthusiasm, and professional experience will be an invaluable asset as the museum continues to grow,” said Ray Ellen Yarkin, co-chair of the ICA’s board, in a press release.

“It is truly an honor to work with such a highly talented and committed Board of Trustees and staff to launch a new museum of contemporary art dedicated to quality, excellence, and rigor,” added Weaver. “Together, we will create an institution that will be an important addition to Miami’s dynamism internationally and make a lasting mark on the intellectual, cultural, and artistic life of the region.”