The expansion will increase the current facility by 50%, adding to the collection of elegant pavilions nestled within the sloping landscape. Continued use of regional materials such as concrete, timber, and fieldstone, sourced from Northwest Arkansas, celebrates the region’s craft traditions. New interior and exterior connections throughout the project create links between the galleries and program spaces and the surrounding park and trails. Construction on the expanded pavilions began in early 2022. As a precursor to the expansion, a reconfigured main lobby and courtyard were completed in May of 2021.
Increased gallery space (by 65 percent) will allow the museum to present art with two new galleries while also adding to existing space for temporary exhibitions and offering new spaces for community displays. The new galleries incorporate a bespoke system of skylights that allow adjustable natural daylight illumination, while ensuring the preservation of the art.
A new bridge connecting two galleries could add non-traditional space for art that is not sensitive to light. With floor-to-ceiling views of the natural surroundings, it will offer spaces for reflection and gathering, including a new café.
