The Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art

If you have never heard of The Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) it is time that you learn. Located in New York City, the purpose of the MoCCA is “the collection, preservation, study, education, and display of comic and cartoon art.” It is the Museum’s goal to represent very genré of the artform, including animation, anime, cartoons, comic books, comic strips, gag cartoons, humorous illustration, illustration, political illustration, editorial cartoons, caricature, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and computer-generated art. In fact, the goals of the museum goes further than that, as its collection policy ensures that the art collections are maintained in an environment of the highest integrity.

It is the mission of the museum to promote the understanding and appreciation of comic and cartoon art as well as to detail and discuss the artistic, cultural, and historical impact of what is the world's most popular art form. Comics and cartoons have been instrumental in effecting significant dialogue on issues involving society, culture, philosophy, and politics. History has shown them to be instrumental in documenting--and interpreting--historic events and social change. Artistically, comic and cartoon art is created at the highest levels by some of the world's finest graphic illustrators.

Yep, that’s it, the museum‘s intent is to educate the public about the historic, educational, and entertainment value of comic and cartoon art. It is the museum’s stated goal to demonstrate through lectures, panels, and gallery shows to demonstrate how it is crafted, and how it reflects history, the time period in which it was created, and how does the art and storytelling itself stands the test of time.

Anyway, as I said, MoCCA is located in NYC (594 Broadway, Suite 401, (btwn. Houston and Prince), Voice: 212.254.3511 / Fax: 212.254.3590). The reason I’m bringing all of this up is because last night I went to the Museum to attend a panel hosted by Arie Kaplan with Victor Gorelick, Stan Goldberg (respectively Editor in Chief and long-time artist at Archie Comics). While I was there I joined MoCCA giving me free entry to the Museum, all MoCCA events, and and 10% off MoCCA purchases.

How cool is that?

Oh yeah, while I was there I picked up a copy of Archie Digest # 260 which contains an original story by Arie where Archie and the gang went on a field trip to MoCCA. By purchasing the comic (and joining, I also received a free copy of DC/Vertigo’s The Unwritten, which turned out to be something of a cool issue.

Needless to say, I’m suggesting that if you live in the NY tri-State area, and you ever find yourself in or near the Village, you really owe it to yourself to check out Mocca, and join, you’ll be glad that you did.

I know that I am.