MADISON, WI – The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) was recognized by the Veterans Administration Hospital, Middleton, with an award for ensuring veterans success in employment and rehabilitation. More than 25% of MMoCA’s public operations staff are veterans of the U.S. Military.

“We look for opportunities to support and reflect our community,” stated Stephen Fleischman museum director. “By valuing the skills of these individuals and incorporating them into our organization, we are all made stronger.”

The MMoCA director of Public Operations, Mary Kolar, served 28 years in the Navy and retired as a Captain. Through Veterans Health Administration programs including “Compensated Work Therapy” (CWT), Kolar has hired veterans to be gallery attendants and overnight security guards at MMoCA.

“How do you help those willing to give their life for their country? Train and hire them. We have built a great team, working together to present visual art to the community,” stated Kolar. “The veterans have brought maturity and attention to detail that we value.”

Each one of the veterans at MMoCA has brought their unique military experience and lessons from their transition to civilian life to their work at the contemporary art museum. There they have found a place where they can once again be on a team and one that values their contributions.

As of 2014, the VA estimates there were 22 million military veterans in the U.S. population. Approximately 7.3 percent of all living Americans have served in the military at some point in their lives. Unemployment rates for U.S. military veterans are higher than for the civilian population, reinforcing the value of meaningful employment to help veterans create a new chapter following their service.

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Housed in a soaring, Cesar Pelli-designed building, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art provides free exhibitions and education programs that engage people in modern and contemporary art. The three galleries offer changing exhibitions that feature established and emerging artists. The Rooftop Sculpture Garden provides an urban oasis with an incredible view. The museum is open: Tuesday-Thursday: noon – 5pm; Friday: noon – 8pm; Saturday: 10am – 8pm; Sunday: noon – 5pm; and is closed on Mondays.