The 23,000-square-foot (2,100 m2) building was designed by the architecture firm Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, New York City.

[3][4] MOCA has presented solo and survey exhibitions by artists including Bill Viola,[5] Tracey Emin,[6] Edouard Duval-Carrié, Virginia Overton,[7] Purvis Young,[8] Wangechi Mutu,[9] Michael Richards,[10] and many others.

In 2008, the institution received a $5 million endowment from the Knight Exhibition Series, supporting exhibitions of work by emerging artists, the development of new public programs, enhanced school programs, and the presentation of lectures, performances, and film screenings.

[11] MOCA's Optic Nerve was recognized as an important forum for emerging artists working in film.

[14] In January 2018, the City of North Miami appointed Chana Budgazad Sheldon, previously executive director of the Miami alternative exhibition space Locust Projects, as MOCA's director.