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Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)

Brooklyn's first contemporary art museum dedicated to the African diaspora, MoCADA blends visual arts, education, and social justice advocacy across an expanded campus of galleries and community spaces.

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Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)
mocada.org, og_image_mocada.org

What is the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) known for?

MoCADA is Brooklyn's first and only contemporary art museum dedicated to the art and culture of Africa and its diaspora. It uses art, education, and advocacy to connect the intersectional experiences of African people worldwide and foster dialogue on pressing social and political issues.

Is it free to visit?

Yes, admission to MoCADA and its Ubuntu Garden is always free.

What are the hours?

The flagship gallery, Culture Lab II, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12 pm to 8 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm. The Ubuntu Garden's 2025 season hours were Thursday through Saturday from 12 pm to 7 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.

Where is it located?

MoCADA operates across an expanded campus with multiple venues. The flagship gallery, Culture Lab II, is at 10 Lafayette Avenue (in the L10 building at 300 Ashland Place), and the Ubuntu Garden is located at 48 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn.

Does it have a gift shop?

Yes, the MoCADA Shop offers a selection of products by contemporary designers, artisans, and authors, including jewelry, home goods, and art and design books.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Founded in 1999, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) began as the graduate thesis of Laurie Angela Cumbo, who explored how an African art museum could support neighboring communities. The institution originally opened in a Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone owned by the Bridge Street AMWE Church in Central Brooklyn, establishing itself as the borough's first and only contemporary art museum focused on the art and culture of Africa and its diaspora. Today, MoCADA operates as an expanded campus with three distinct venues. Its flagship location, Culture Lab II, is situated at 10 Lafayette Avenue on the second floor. This space serves as a gallery, performance venue, cafe, and gift shop. The facility is part of L10, a 50,000-square-foot arts hub designed by Andrea Steele Architecture at 300 Ashland Place, which broke ground during the museum's 20th anniversary in December 2019. Beyond its flagship gallery, the museum maintains the Ubuntu Garden at 48 Lafayette Avenue, a seasonal space that operates from May through October. MoCADA also manages a seasonal art residency known as Abolition House, located at House 7A in Nolan Park on Governors Island, though this venue is scheduled to be inactive for the 2026 season. MoCADA utilizes visual arts to explore artistic production across multiple disciplines, fostering dialogue on political and social issues facing the African diaspora. In addition to exhibitions, the museum engages in community programs, public art, and social justice interventions. Visitors can also browse the MoCADA Shop, which features jewelry, home goods, and design books from contemporary artisans and authors.

Visitor tips

  • Visit Culture Lab II between 12 pm and 8 pm Wednesday through Saturday, or 12 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.
  • Admission to the galleries and the Ubuntu Garden is always free.
  • Check the seasonal dates for the Ubuntu Garden, which typically runs from May 30 to October 31.
  • Browse the MoCADA Shop for unique jewelry and art books created by contemporary designers.

Nearby context

Located in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, MoCADA is situated between Flatbush Avenue and Ashland Place, placing it within a vibrant hub of urban development and cultural institutions.

Sources

Evidence and links