Indianapolis Museum of Art Announces $74 Million Expansion

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – The Indianapolis Museum of Art has announced the designs for its building expansion, slated for completion in 2005. The plans feature an enhanced museum with three new wings, 50 percent more gallery space, an outdoor garden court, expanded educational and family facilities, and other new visitor amenities.

The $74 million construction project will add 164,000 square feet to the museum and includes renovation of 90,000 square feet of existing space. The new facility will enable the IMA to better serve the public, enhance the presentation of its nationally recognized collections and increase its contribution to the national and international arts communities.

“The new IMA building complex will create welcoming and diverse spaces in which to interact with art and will significantly increase our ability to serve the community,” said director Anthony Hirschel. “Our collections reveal the vast range of human creativity, representing cultures from around the globe and across time — masterworks that can speak to people of all ages. Our goal is to provide the widest possible range of experiences and programs so that everyone — from the knowledgeable collector to the curious child — will find something inspiring and intriguing when visiting the IMA.”

The new design better integrates the museum with its expansive grounds, creating dramatic vistas from the building into the surrounding park and gardens. A broad, 800-foot, tree-lined allée will lead to the museum and a new public garden surrounding the landmark Sutphin Fountain.

The new Gallery Pavilion will significantly increase exhibition space and create new areas for the installation of its renowned collection of textiles and decorative arts, as well as special exhibitions. The museum will remain open to the public throughout the building project, although individual galleries may need to close temporarily.

The three-story, glass-walled Oval Entry Pavilion will provide a dynamic and engaging entrance to the building, creating a transparent, seamless transition between the museum and its surrounding gardens and outdoor public spaces. The ground floor entrance will harmoniously blend the museum with its natural setting and serve as a gathering place for visitors.