Newark Museum will soon reopen its front doors to the public, add more amenities

by Newswire | May 30, 2017

The Newark Museum recently broke ground on its new $5.5 million transformation project: it will reopen Washington Street doors after two decades.

In addition to the new double glass doors that will serve as the main entrance to the Museum, exterior enhancements include a public terrace that will be used for programs and events, and a new ramp that will make the Museum fully accessible.

Within the Museum, reopening the main entrance is intended to result in a transformation of the existing space, including state-of the art visitor’s amenities; a high-profile spotlight for and access to its Arts of Global Africa collection; and a new special exhibition space of more than 5,000 square feet. The project was conceptualized by the Museum’s longtime collaborator Michael Graves Architectural and Design. Architect Michael Graves, who was personally involved with the Museum from his first meeting with director Sam Miller in 1967 and most recently designed the Horizon Plaza, died in 2015, just as the project was taking form.

The Museum will be open to the public throughout construction with exhibitions and programs. The front entrance, which will be renamed in honor of donor Louis Bamberger (who personally funded the Museum building in 1926), the visitor’s center, and Arts of Global Africa galleries will open on November 3.

The new special exhibition space will welcome visitors on March 23, 2018 with Rockies and the Alps: Bierstadt, Calame, and the Romance of the Mountains.

Pictured: Jacob Buurma, Newark Museum Trustee and Chair of the Building Committee; Clifford Blanchard, Co-Chair of the Newark Museum Board of Trustees; Christine C. Gilfillan, , Co-Chair of the Newark Museum Board of Trustees; and Steven Kern, Executive Director and CEO of the Newark Museum. They are holding the shovel that was used by Louis Bamberger at the ground breaking of the new museum building in 1924.

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