Museum Developments in Richmond

[rjp212]

The thought process behind the design is on the website   I believe it has to do with America  being built on the back of slaves and them “pushing” through the ceiling.   Ground is the ceiling, and the elevated portion is them punching through.  Something along those lines.

 

[Hike]

14 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

The thought process behind the design is on the website   I believe it has to do with America  being built on the back of slaves and them “pushing” through the ceiling.   Ground is the ceiling, and the elevated portion is them punching through.  Something along those lines.

I like that concept too, it's deeper than my interpretation,  but in order to "see" that,  for me, I would have to read the understanding,  it just doesn't read like that.  I tend to see art depicted in the most simple straight forward form, and often, what I see is never the intent, there's always more to art & design, the history, the context,  etc. that helps to inform.  

[I miss RVA]

5 hours ago, Hike said:

I like that concept too, it's deeper than my interpretation,  but in order to "see" that,  for me, I would have to read the understanding,  it just doesn't read like that.  I tend to see art depicted in the most simple straight forward form, and often, what I see is never the intent, there's always more to art & design, the history, the context,  etc. that helps to inform.  

The beauty of all of this is, though: as we can see just in this conversation, there are multiple perspectives from which we can view this one thing (be it the museum itself or the historical events the museum will be designed to teach us about). There are many many themes involved here - and if the museum can open our minds and foster these kinds of good, deeper conversations that help us see multiple perspectives, then it's done its job and done it well.

[Hike]

25 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

The beauty of all of this is, though: as we can see just in this conversation, there are multiple perspectives from which we can view this one thing (be it the museum itself or the historical events the museum will be designed to teach us about). There are many many themes involved here - and if the museum can open our minds and foster these kinds of good, deeper conversations that help us see multiple perspectives, then it's done its job and done it well.

I hope the museum happens and it's able to keep it's form.  Feeling like Richmond could use something important,  a place that would be the,  "you've got to go see this new museum and exhibit" and it could become a part of a Richmond experience.  

[wrldcoupe4]

That's a good point. Who is spearheading this? Who is raising funds? 

[Hike]

15 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

That's a good point. Who is spearheading this? Who is raising funds? 

There's a big list of participants here in the process to date https://www.lumpkinsjail.org/process/project-participants

Finding the funding answer isn't discussed that I can see,  from the website, fundraising is the next phase.

Also, not seeing a price tag anywhere or a goal but can imagine if enough momentum gets behind this, the state, federal and local, along with private donors, it may have a good chance.  

 

Edited March 4, 2021 by Hike

[wrldcoupe4]

Well... I referenced this in the wrong thread, but the City’s budget includes funding for the project

https://richmond.com/news/local/stoney-administration-proposes-185-6m-capital-budget-for-next-fiscal-year/article_535c6f99-2475-5160-af77-ebf16db5d50b.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest

[evanf]

Hi! Don't think this has been posted anywhere yet.

This new pavilion / plaza / restaurant space is part of the Science Museum's masterplan.

Love the airy design!

https://www.architecturefirm.co/work-1#/science-museum-of-virginia-restaurant/

[I miss RVA]

That looks really nice! Awesome find!

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Big exciting news incoming!!

VMFA will unveil the design for their $190M expansion later this month!

https://richmondbizsense.com/2021/06/15/virginia-museum-of-fine-arts-to-unveil-design-for-190m-expansion/

More specifically, 'by June 30th'. According to museum staff, It's been in the works for 11 years, and when they opened the McGlothlin wing in 2010, it had already outgrown it's space. 

"The VMFA expansion will include a new 100,000-square-foot wing off of the existing Mellon and Lewis Wing, a renovation of 45,000 square feet in three museum buildings; and a new annex building."

:The largest piece of the expansion is a planned five-story addition of 100,000-125,000 square feet to be built onto the Mellon and Lewis Wing, which was constructed in 1985."

All 3 phases will be constructed concurrently over 24 months after the planning stage is expected to finish by June 2023.

--------------------

Just read the article. There's loads of exciting information there that I can't summarize. Very exciting times ahead.

[I miss RVA]

This is certainly fantastic news!! Glad to see the museum expanding further. How fortunate are we to have a true rare gem that other cities can only dream of having.

[eandslee]

37 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

This is certainly fantastic news!! Glad to see the museum expanding further. How fortunate are we to have a true rare gem that other cities can only dream of having.

Agreed. I didn’t realize how famous the VMFA was until one day I was on a flight from Jacksonville, FL to Richmond (back when Allegiant was flying that route) and the couple sitting beside me was making the special trip up to see Richmond and the VMFA!  I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ve never been to the VMFA (cringe).  Art is really not my thing, but I’d still like to go especially since it’s free (geez, where have I been!?).  Anyway, this addition will probably only make it better.  I heard that the museum rivals that of the big art museums in NYC and Chicago. 

Edited June 15, 2021 by eandslee

[123fakestreet]

2 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Agreed. I didn’t realize how famous the VMFA was until on day I was on a flight from Jacksonville, FL to Richmond (back when Allegiant was flying that route) and the couple sitting beside me was making the special trip up to see Richmond and the VMFA!  I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ve never been to the VMFA (cringe).  Art is really not my thing, but I’d still like to go especially since it’s free (geez, where have I been!?).  Anyway, this addition will probably only make it better.  I heard that the museum rivals that of the big art museums in NYC and Chicago. 

VMFA is probably a top 15 museum in the US, certainly the best museum in the country relative to the size of it's home city.

 

[Brent114]

7 minutes ago, eandslee said:

Agreed. I didn’t realize how famous the VMFA was until on day I was on a flight from Jacksonville, FL to Richmond (back when Allegiant was flying that route) and the couple sitting beside me was making the special trip up to see Richmond and the VMFA!  I’m ashamed to say it, but I’ve never been to the VMFA (cringe).  Art is really not my thing, but I’d still like to go especially since it’s free (geez, where have I been!?).  Anyway, this addition will probably only make it better.  I heard that the museum rivals that of the big art museums in NYC and Chicago. 

You need to go ASAP. 
Have  you at least walked around the grounds?  Need evidence that we are all going to be priced out of Richmond?  Go to a happy hour* on Friday or walk the grounds on a sunny Saturday.  
 

The current show, Dirty South, is super cool.  So much of the collection is accessible to people with zero knowledge of or interest in art.  If you like history , geography and geo politics, there’s a lot to love there. 
 

btw, 5 floors?  Are some of those going to be underground?  Weird. 

*I cannot recommend this enough.  It’s downright Parisian.

[Hike]

The contractor had an update last week on the progress of the Science Museum of VA linked below.

https://www.sbballard.com/progress-update-science-museum-of-virginia-parking-deck/

[wrldcoupe4]

More details on the massive, $190M expansion of the VMFA. 200,000 SF will be added to the footprint when completed in 2025.

https://richmond.com/entertainment/virginia-museum-of-fine-arts-announces-190-million-expansion-to-be-completed-in-2025-names/article_89d54ebd-91e3-5b85-b8e3-b0276bd9aa65.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1

 

SmithGroup has designed museums and projects for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collections and Conservation Center in Maryland, the Detroit Institute of Arts in Michigan, as well as the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

The VMFA received over 30 proposals from architects all over the world before choosing SmithGroup.

 

Nyerges said that SmithGroup had several advantages, including its focus on museums and cultural venues and its Virginia connection. Jamē Anderson, the group’s director and principal in charge, grew up in Prince Edward County and was first exposed to art with a visit from the VMFA’s Artmobile. Several key architects in the core group also grew up in Richmond.

SmithGroup will begin their design exploration and processes, which is expected to take 24 months and be completed in June 2023. After the designs are approved, and construction contractors selected, construction will begin and is expected to take two years, with completion slated for 2025.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Nice little cover story from Style summarizing all the major museum developments going on, not much in the way of tantalizing new information, but a good summary nonetheless:

https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/museum-makeovers/Content?oid=17667463

[I miss RVA]

On 7/24/2021 at 11:46 PM, RVA-Is-The-Best said:

Nice little cover story from Style summarizing all the major museum developments going on, not much in the way of tantalizing new information, but a good summary nonetheless:

https://www.styleweekly.com/richmond/museum-makeovers/Content?oid=17667463

Great Style Weekly article! A really solid roundup of how robustly the major museums in RVA are growing and expanding. For a mid-size city, it is really amazing how RVA has the kind of museums, the number of museums and the size of museums that you'd normally expect to see in MUCH larger cities (New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., etc.)  That's always been a huge 'big-city' plus for Richmond.

Edited July 26, 2021 by I miss RVA

[Shakman]

WOW!  Thanks for sharing RVA.  I didn't know the work at the Historical Society is this extensive.  The last time I was there, it reminded of an attic filled with dusty artifacts.  Looking forward to see the Great Hall.

[Brent114]

Some rooms of the Virginia Historical Society have that dusty feel but the areas that have been renovated are very nicely done, the Story of Virginia (or whatever it is called)in particular  is world class.  If you haven’t been in the last 5 years or so, go check it out. 

[rancenc]

Article on the upcoming expansion of the Virginia Fine Arts Museum expansion!

https://constructionreviewonline.com/news/usa/us190-million-poured-into-virginia-fine-arts-museum-expansion/

[DowntownCoruscant]

My family of four finally went to see the Dirty South exhibit today, and it was really something. We are lucky to have such an significant fine arts museum here. Also, my wife and I love to come back to the Marble Hall, where we had our wedding reception.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

The Valentine has kicked off a $12m renovation, adding 9,600 sq ft of space within its existing footprint (if only they could expand the building itself)

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/02/08/the-valentine-history-museum-kicks-off-12m-renovation-and-expansion/

 

[I miss RVA]

Ed Slipek has penned an outstanding review of the newly expanded VMHC  in today's Richmond BizSense.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/06/03/guest-commentary-from-battle-abbey-to-virginia-museum-of-history-culture/

[I miss RVA]

SMVA receives $500K donation from the Mary Morton Parsons foundation for renovation of its 6-acre greenspace.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

https://richmond.com/entertainment/art/science-museum-of-virginias-receives-500-000-donation-for-greenspace-project/article_f46828fe-23e7-5044-8841-a982db8e03fc.html