Muskegon Museum of Art Announces Major Museum Expansion
The Muskegon Museum of Art has announced a major museum expansion, and planning a groundbreaking later this year with completion of the construction project in 2023.
Two factors are driving the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) expansion initiative:
There is not sufficient space to display the permanent collection and;
Touring exhibitions today require larger venues than the MMA has to offer.
The plan is to add three new galleries and two new classroom activity areas, along with support space, which will meet these challenges and sustain this cultural treasure for generations to come. The new galleries will increase permanent collection exhibition space by 222% and temporary exhibition space by 60%, making the museum more of a destination rather than a stopover.
MMA Executive Director Kirk Hallman points out that “with current exhibition space and rotating the permanent collection twice annually, it would take over 40 years to show the entire collection.”
The MMA Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Frank Bednarek comments, “The Trustees are committed to keeping the Museum alive, well, and relevant for the next 100 years. To do this, we need to expand, grow, and improve the physical plant.”
Elements of Expansion
The MMA’s critical needs include additional gallery space, classrooms, community space, programming space, art storage and work space. Expansion plans include:
• Grand hall for major exhibitions
• Two new galleries for special rotating exhibitions
• Two new classrooms to support youth educational programs
• Family activity area
• New barrier-free entry
• Additional storage and workshop spaces
• Expanded space for museum store/visitor services
Shaping the Future: The Campaign for Museum Expansion
The MMA and key supporters have raised about $7.2 million to date, with a goal to raise $9.9 million to complete the expansion project. The MMA extends the invitation to the public to contribute to the project on the final leg of fundraising by visiting https://muskegonartmuseum.org/shaping-the-future/ or by calling the MMA at (231) 720-2571.
