Cleveland Museum of Art to begin phase two

A digital rendering of one angle of the future Cleveland Museum of Art, designed by Argentina native Rafael Vinoly. The design is similar to the shape of a diamond ring.

What is like a diamond ring, but free to the public? Here is a hint – it is a mere 20 minute drive from campus and located in University Circle. That’s right, the Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum has been a staple in the Cleveland area since 1916 when it opened. Since then, it has been growing and developing with the city. In an effort to make the museum even more adaptable to the life and times of Cleveland in the 21st century, a major renovation project began in 2005.

In a recent interview, the head of the museum’s Assistant Director of Communications James Kopniske said, “This summer they start taking down the 1958 building where some exhibits and the café are now. Breuer Building main lobby area is undergoing its renovations and the 1983 building is coming down. They were chosen to be torn down to fit the design, to avoid choppiness.”

Other renovations include that of the 1916 Beaux Arts building. Kopniske explained, “[the 1916 building] didn’t have air conditioning when constructed, just a central ventilation system that was hard to control. The new building plan will help better preserve the art with climate controls and modern security. It also has the technology to monitor the air quality and humidity levels.”

The previous director of the establishment Catherine Reed and the board of directors decided that the additions to the museum had gotten out of hand and had obscured the original vision of the museum itself. In an effort to solve the choppiness of the many buildings that were difficult to travel through, the group went in search of an architect who could come up with a design to match their ideas.

The museum directors wanted to bring the buildings together and make art viewing easier for the crowds that gather there each year. They also envisioned a lot of windows which would tie the museum in with the surrounding community and allow outsiders to see what was going on in the museum. The search paid off and Argentina native and world renowned architect, Rafael Vinoly, was commissioned to design the plans for the museum.

Vinoly’s design is similar to that of a diamond ring. He wanted to use the original white marble 1916 Beaux Arts Building as the “jewel” and then feature the museum’s other landmark, the 1971 Breuer Building on the opposite end of the museum’s campus. These two main buildings are each beautiful in their own right, however, being built 55 years apart they have very different features. In order to tie them together and create a unified look, Vinoly designed new wings connecting the buildings.

New glass walkways will help to sculpture the buildings and give tourists a view of the grounds as well. Color fading techniques in the marble will blend in the north side with the Breuer Building from one direction and allow the south side  material to fade into the look of the 1916 structure  achieving the goal of uniting the buildings.

In order to complete Vinoly’s plan and restore the flow that is necessary for an enjoyable day of art education, many other changes had to be made. Not only are the two main buildings being completely renovated, but many buildings on the museum’s property are being torn down.

The renovations aren’t just for the art. New additions and expanded space are focused mainly for the enjoyment of the museum’s more than 500,000 yearly visitors. When finished, gallery space will have increased by 41 percent and the museum itself will grow from 389,000 sq ft. to 588,000 sq. ft. A larger  parking capacity, new rest rooms, an expanded store and café, as well as a new 34,000 sq. ft. glass enclosed courtyard will  enhance the visitor amenities and their experience.

One may wonder where a museum that is free for the public gets the funds for such a project, but don’t worry, tax dollars aren’t paying for this. “The money for the project comes from private fund-raising, started in 2005, companies, private donors, and members, but not from the general public as of yet,” said Kopniske.
 

With such major structural changes, the museum has been closed for most of the renovations since 2005. The museum is still supporting the arts community by sponsoring attractions and bringing in artwork to different venues throughout the city. They are expecting to reopen in stages during the next few years and slowly bring the art back where it belongs. “Everything is still on track to open in 2011. There is a big opening this June on the main floor of 1916 building. Every four to six months more things will open up and then the final grand opening in 2011,” Kopniske said.

The current museum director, Timothy Rubb, as well as the rest of the staff are anticipating the museum’s debut back into the public and so is much of the Cleveland community. Exhibits open again this summer, so stop by and see the progress. As always, general admission is free and for special exhibits students, children and seniors get special rates.