Established with private funding, The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) began with the extensive collections of Atlanta-based CGR Advisors, a real estate advisory company, and David Golden, the president of CGR Advisors and co-founder of MOCA GA. The combined collection features more than 250 works by 110 Georgia artists and includes a variety of mediums -- paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, and installation pieces.

"This is the evolution of what we started 10 years ago," said MOCA GA co-founder Annette Cone-Skelton. "As an arts consultant then, I had a client (Mr. Golden) who believed in Georgia artists and wanted to build the finest collection possible. The collection grew and remained housed in a corporate environment, so the museum environment seemed like the next logical step."

When CGR Advisors decided to move to another location, the burgeoning collection needed a new space. "Although we considered giving or selling the collection to various groups, we also recognized the gap that existed in showcasing Georgia artists. So, there was a need," said Mr. Golden. "Then, Annette searched for a model for this kind of museum, and there was none quite like this whose focus was contemporary art from the state in which it is located."

"Georgia artists really need a place of their own," said Ms. Cone-Skelton. "It's so important to protect and to archive the history of this state because so much of it is getting lost. This collection already has preserved a great deal. And as an artist, it's important to have an institution that believes in what you are doing. It helps you do your best work."