Efroymson hands off leadership at iMOCA

Jeremy Efroymson is handing off leadership of the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, an organization that he helped start and kept going during the recession.

Efroymson, a major arts supporter, served as the museum's first executive director from 2004 to 2006, then rejoined it in 2009 after it ran into financial problems. He has donated his time for the past two years.

After rejoining the museum, Efroymson came up with a new operating model that relies on guest curators. He also led the move from the museum's original home on North Senate Avenue to the Murphy Arts Building in Fountain Square.

"The last two years have been a lot of fun," he said in a prepared statement. "With the move to Fountain Square, the museum was able to double its size and exponentially increase traffic."

Shaunta Marsh, assistant director since August of 2009, will serve as interim executive until Efroymson's replacement arrives. Marsh said the board of directors has identified Efroymson's replacement, but that person isn't yet available to take the job. Officials hope to name the new director in six to eight months.

The museum, which goes by the name iMOCA, is planning a number of special programs for the fiscal year that started July 1. iMOCA operated on a $150,000 budget last fiscal year, but that figure has been raised to a projected $500,000, Marsh said. The museum draws about 20,000 visitors a year.

"We have a pretty ambitious Super Bowl show we're working on," she said. "We're definitely not going anywhere."

One of iMOCA's larger efforts is bringing filmmaker John Waters ("Hairspray," "Cry-Baby," among others) to town on Nov. 12 for the Spirit and Place Festival. Waters will perform his vaudeville act, "This Filthy World," at the Madame Walker Theatre. The show is in partnership with the Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI.

Efroymson, who has helped launch a number of arts initiatives over the years, has some new ideas in the works, Marsh said. He also plans to spend time on his own artwork.

In honor of Efroymson’s service and contributions, iMOCA named its front gallery the Jeremy Efroymson Gallery.