NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has issued a call for concepts for the guard house space.

 

Deputy Director Tracy Moore told the Mass MoCA Commission on Monday that the museum has begun seeking out a new tenant to fill the space that formally housed A-oK Barbeque.

 

"We are looking forward to entertaining ideas and looking forward to people sharing their concepts with us," Moore said. 

 

A-oK's owners announced in late April that they would be leaving the Museum campus on May 2. A-ok has operated in the guard house since 2018.

 

"It is a special and important space," Moore said.

 

Moore said the museum is accepting concepts until the third week in June. After that, Mass MoCA will further investigate the submitted concepts. Ultimately, the new tenant will be brought before the commission. 

 

She added that the space is about 1,200 square feet and although currently set up with a kitchen and a take-out window, the space can support other concepts. 

 

Also on the dining front, the commission voted to extend pop-up restaurant Door Prize's stay through the summer.

 

"They had a great turn out for Solid Sound Weekend … and they are looking to continue that," Moore said. 

 

The commission agreed to a Nov. 1 extension. Hours would be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Door Prize would be open Sunday as well from 11 to 5. 

 

"They have been a great tenant and member of the community. We would like to continue this relationship through the summer," Moore said. 

 

She added that Door Prize has submitted its beer and wine license application.

 

Mayor and commissioner Jennifer Macksey asked at what point does a pop-up restaurant become a permanent tenant and lay down "roots" in the Mass MoCA campus.

 

Moore said any agreement that lasted longer than six months would be beyond the scope of a pop-up residency. Also, Mass MoCA would consider hours of operation greater than four days a tilt toward a permanent agreement.

She said the pop-up arrangement allows time for both the museum and the restaurant to put a "toe in the water." 

 

"This just gives them some runway so they can see how their concept connects with the community, and they can make changes and learn about the community," she said. "... It has been a good model for both parties to get to know each other." 

 

Moore also gave a brief report on the recent Solid Sound Festival and noted that just over 8,000 people attended the festival when it was at "full tilt" Saturday.

 

"We had a busy weekend with Solid Sound…and just a quick thanks to all neighbors and friends in North Adams for supporting the event," she said. "It was well attended with happy music fans and artists all abound the campus."