Showing Support and Appreciation for Area Military Families and First Responders
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — MOCA Jacksonville, a cultural institute of the University of North Florida, has proudly joined forces with Blue Star Museums and CSX to offer free admission to the families of active duty and former military and first responders from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The Blue Star Museum initiative is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide that wish to show appreciation for military families who face multiple deployments and reintegration challenges. To support this program, CSX partnered with MOCA Jacksonville to expand this free admission opportunity to include not only active-duty military, but also former military and first responders.
"Through its Pride in Service Initiative, CSX is committed to improving the lives of our nation’s military, veterans, and first responders," says John Kitchens, CSX Corporate Citizenship Director. "Providing an opportunity for families to enjoy the MOCA experience is a meaningful way to support our military and help them feel more welcome in the community. MOCA is a Jacksonville treasure with something for everyone to discover."
Based in Jacksonville, CSX is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers with rail and intermodal businesses that offer a broad range of services including traditional rail service and intermodal container and trailer transport. The company's headquarters is located in Downtown Jacksonville, just a few blocks from MOCA Jacksonville. Both CSX and MOCA are working to provide opportunities to area military families and support the revitalization of downtown.
Through its commitment to community building, MOCA Jacksonville provides access to arts and educational experiences for the entire community, introduces contemporary art to thousands of students in Duval County through school tours and family programming, and supports local artists through the exhibition of innovative, locally-created works of art. With an ambitious program schedule, MOCA provides a platform for community discussion and debate, critical and creative thinking, and cultural exploration, while acting as a vital community convener for creative conversation. The museum team is committed to providing opportunities to connect and experiences that are welcoming, respectful, thought-provoking, and engaging.
To take advantage of this program, please bring valid military or first responder identification. Those who qualify are welcome to bring up to five family members. Learn more about visiting MOCA Jacksonville by visiting our website at mocajacksonville.unf.edu.
Operational support for MOCA Jacksonville is provided by the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, and the University of North Florida.
ABOUT MOCA JACKSONVILLE
Founded in 1924 as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville is a private nonprofit visual arts educational institution and a cultural resource of the University of North Florida. One of the Southeast’s largest contemporary art institutions, MOCA Jacksonville serves the community and its visitors through innovative exhibitions, notable collections, award-winning educational programs, and compelling publications designed to enhance an understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on works created from 1960 to the present. MOCA Jacksonville originates more than ninety five percent of its exhibitions and accompanying publications. In the past three years, the Museum has produced more than thirty exhibitions. While it attracts visitors from all over the Southeast, MOCA Jacksonville is an important community partner in Northeast Florida. In 2009, MOCA Jacksonville became a cultural resource of the University of North Florida, and thereby enhanced its commitment to providing the highest quality arts educational opportunities, which now include special lectures, college-level art courses, and special faculty and student exhibitions. The Museum is also a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s multibillion-dollar downtown revitalization plan with exhibitions and programs that bring new visitors to the civic core during the day, at night, and on weekends. Educational programming includes children’s literacy initiatives and family art-making classes as well as regular tours, lectures, films, and publications for children and adults.
For more information including hours of operation, admission prices and upcoming exhibitions and programs, call 904-366-6911 or visit mocajacksonville.unf.edu.
ABOUT CSX
CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers. The company’s rail and intermodal businesses provide rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers.
Overall, the CSX Transportation network encompasses about 20,000 route miles of track in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Our transportation network serves some of the largest population centers in the nation. Nearly two-thirds of Americans live within CSX’s service territory.
CSX moves a broad portfolio of products across the country in a way that minimizes the effect on the environment, takes traffic off an already congested highway system, and minimizes fuel consumption and transportation costs.
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