The Columbus Museum of Art has made a name for itself by offering innovative programs and providing a unique and experiential space for visitors. This focus on visitor engagement, along with a commitment to education and the community, were cited as key factors when the Museum was awarded the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. If there were concerns the Museum would now rest on its laurels, those were put to rest Thursday evening when they pulled out all the stops for the groundbreaking of their new wing.
Timed to coincide with the opening of George Bellows and the American Experience, Thursday’s ceremony/celebration included live boxing, polo players (with horses!), costumed interpreters, the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus and Jeni’s Ice Cream. If that all sounds a bit unconventional (or even raucous) for a groundbreaking ceremony, then welcome to the world of innovative 21st century museums. Experiential learning is the goal, and it all starts with engagement. Of course tradition wasn’t completely cast aside. The evening also included obligatory remarks by dignitaries, directors, and politicians who dutifully reminded attendees of the importance of this grand new project.
And important it is. The Columbus Museum of Art’s new wing represents the final phase of the Museum’s Art Matters renovation project. It adds 50,000 square-feet to the Museum and will incorporate gallery space, a new musuem store, a restaurant, reconfigured outdoor spaces and a new entrance. The Columbus Museum of Art has arguably gone about as far as it can within its current site plan. This new wing offers the flexibility and elbow room the institution sorely needs.
There’s also an important local element here. The Columbus Museum of Art is obviously not the biggest museum in Ohio, nor does it have the largest collection. What it does have, and what it’s focused on for as long as I can remember, is a very real connection to the community. This is evident in both its programming and in the way it supports local artists and arts organizations.
The Columbus Museum of Art has helped organize exhibitions by Lucius Kutchin, Aminah Robinson, William Hawkins, Elijah Pierce, Charles Burchfield, along with many others. They have served as an exhibition space for the GCAC, the Ohio Art League, and Art for Life. They’ve now taken their community connections even further by selecting the Columbus-based architecture firm Design Group to oversee this project. This is laudable. In the world of celebrity architects and high profile vanity projects, it’s refreshing to see a local firm get the nod. Similarly, locals
Corna Kokosing will take on the construction duties.
The Columbus Museum of Art’s new wing is expected to be completed in the fall of 2015.
More information can be found at www.columbusmuseum.org.
