History of MoHA

2012

Since its founding in 2012, The Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) has done weird stuff with critical thought and good hospitality at the forefront. MoHA’s journey started with Zac Traeger in a back-corner office room at 3600 Lyons Rd. in what was then a sex toy warehouse, right next to the future site of the Canopy complex in East Austin, TX.

Inspired by the hospitality he had experienced touring his own music across the country, Zac, his $4k savings from teaching piano, and the labor of artists and organizers jump-started MoHA and its vision. MoHA was founded on the simple, impactful concept of being a good host for artists to hang out and make cool, weird things together.

2012 - Mid-2010s

In 2012, MoHA began with music events but quickly expanded to other types of programming: exhibitions, performances, classes, socials, film screenings, and ones with participatory elements. MoHA also began providing affordable studio space for artists and organizers.

In the early- and mid-2010s, MoHA became known for its underground vibe and programming in the local Austin scene. No website. No social media. No clear entryway to get on the members-only email list for events. Yes, word-of-mouth event invitations. Yes, spray-painted membership cards given and checked at the door. Yes, somehow over 200 events each year.

MoHA’s funky programming and lack of outwardly public presence became misconstrued by some of the public as exclusivity. The feeling of exclusivity was not intended; rather, MoHA was intending to do the opposite. MoHA’s practices were designed by artists’ desire to welcome folks to their weird stuff in amusing, intentional, and unconventional ways. The staff, volunteers, featured artists, 7-or-so interns at a time, and friends of MoHA sought to pique those who are curious and invite them in at the door with themed, informative-but-cryptic-enough spiels to keep social anxiety at bay and the curiosity going. Even if you didn’t have a handmade-for-you membership card or weren’t on the email list, you’d still be welcomed in.

Mid-2010s - Early 2020

The mid- to late 2010s marked a transition into opening MoHA more widely to the public. The Canopy complex moved in and repurposed existing buildings into mixed use spaces like galleries and offices, bringing new audiences to East Austin. At the same time, local businesses were being forced to move out as a result of displacement in Austin. MoHA continued operating as its own organization in the warehouse next door while navigating these changes.

In the mid-2010s, the Canopy complex started Open Canopy, a monthly event for the public to check out what was going on: free alcohol (as advertised by the, at the time, emerging whenwhatwhere Instagram account) and behind-the-scenes looks in artists’ studios. At the same time as Open Canopy, MoHA held Big Openings. Big Openings at MoHA featured multiple exhibitions at a time in artistic conversation with one another, which uniquely brought together 100+ artists in collaboration and 1000+ attendees each Open Canopy. The IRL exhibitions led by Rachel Stuckey marked the advent of time-based work at MoHA. Amusing, unconventional entries into events continued: experience indoctrination into a cult if you want to view C0MPUTER P$YENT0L0GY, wait in a 4 hour line for the one-person-at-a-time Just Some Me Time exhibit, or stroll into a different kind of IKEA called AHoM. Big Openings during Open Canopy brought more folks into MoHA. External organizers held more events at MoHA, too, thereby spreading word to their communities about the space.

MoHA hit more milestones during this time, too. In 2015, MoHA launched their first website, themuseumofhumanachievement.com. In 2017, MoHA attained their 501(c)3 non-profit status. They also began their fiscal sponsorship program and multiple residency programs. In 2020, MoHA staff decided to scale down events due to the craziness of producing all of this programming.

Mid-2020s - Early 2022

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic incited a shift in MoHA’s operations, orienting MoHA to be more of a service organization to support artists.

The pandemic forced MoHA to further scale down their operations in order to prioritize the health and safety of the community — but not without creative ways to keep building community and holding events. In the face of social isolation and worldwide stressors, MoHA organized Drive-Ins, continued to run the Welcome to my Homepage online residency, and did other remote or distanced programming to bring the joys of artistic expression and sense of togetherness to the community. A family of cats also decided to make MoHA their home during this time.

This period also involved further development in MoHA’s operations. In 2021, MoHA moved on from their first website and launched this very Wiki. In 2022, they began efforts to contribute to social science research and develop their own digital archives. They also focused on outreach to better reach those who may be interested in their programs. MoHA revamped their newsletters and continued making more friends in the local community.

Alongside other organizations and following health guidelines, MoHA began bringing back in-person programming in Spring 2022 and launched multiple new programs such as Peanut, Collaborative Art + Technology Situation (CATS+), and Games Y’all.

Mid-2022 - Late 2024

MoHA grew more as a service organization, focusing on their programs, supporting other organizations, and strengthening relationships in the local community.

Notably, MoHA honed in providing professional support for artists. In 2023, they began holding Grant Writing Hangouts which has since supported hundreds of artists, community members, and small organizations in applying for and securing grant funding. Many attendees are first-time grant applicants, and many attendees become first-time grant recipients.

Despite the rise of living costs in Austin, MoHA continued affordable studio space and event space, as well as no-fee fiscal sponsorships. MoHA further supported the growth of three organizations that have physical space at MoHA: Unlisted Projects, The Mall, and Cage Match Project. In addition, MoHA strengthened relationships with the Austin Public Library, the local indie game development scene, as well as new and existing organizers who presented events onsite.

During this period, the staff also grew from two members to six. This change resulted in more efforts to restructure internal operations to improve the quality of MoHA's programs and implement infrastructure and various projects for a more sustainable MoHA.

Present

Today, MoHA continues to welcome all who are curious, seeking support, or just want to have a good time and be a good human. Compared to the early days, MoHA does so more outwardly with countless more entryways into MoHA than before (goodbye 2012 “do not forward this email”, hello present-day “feel free to forward to a friend”).

Efforts today still focus on projects to improve programming for MoHA's community and the sustainability of the organization. MoHA continues to put on programs to uplift and serve artists, host events to highlight community and the important work they do, and navigate institutional systems and current events.

Curious for more?

We welcome you to visit these pages to continue your journey to learn more about MoHA: The MoHA Community, Past Events, About, Good Job MoHA, or any other page on our website that tickles your heart’s desires.