Practice to draw up growth masterplan for Midwest city’s fine-art temple

David Chipperfield Architects has been commissioned to develop an expansion masterplan for the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

The practice said the project would involve a “major reconfiguration” of the fine art museum’s existing campus, improve its facilities and deal with its expanding collection, which is already described as “encyclopaedic”.

Chipperfield’s brief also includes addressing the relationship of Mia’s current buildings with neighbouring institutions, and coping with growing visitor numbers.

The institute is housed in a neo-classical building by McKim, Mead and White that dates from 1915 and has extensions by Kenzo Tange and Michael Graves.

Museum president Kaywin Feldman said the masterplan would provide a framework to address several pressing needs, including improved parking facilities, additional art storage and public spaces.

“We are thrilled to work with David Chipperfield,” she said. “Mia has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with repeated record-setting visitor numbers.

“Our growing collections, innovative exhibitions, and accessible public programmes have fuelled this growth, and we want to ensure we have the facilities needed to provide inspiring visitor experiences as we embrace an ever-broadening, diverse audience.

“We are confident that David Chipperfield Architects’ impressive track record and clear understanding of our museum’s needs will help us achieve this goal.”

Mia’s collection spans six continents and 20,000 years. Among works from the more recent end of that spectrum are paintings by Van Gogh, El Greco, Matisse and Bacon.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Source: Mia

Minneapolis Institute of Art