(BLOOMINGTON) – The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University Bloomington reopens to the public Thursday, Nov. 7 after a $30 million renovation.
Barbara Brosher of News at IU Bloomington reports, Indianapolis-based philanthropists Sidney and Lois Eskenazi gifted the museum $15 million for the upgrades, and that amount was matched with $15 million from “For All: The Indiana University Bicentennial Campaign.”
The funding supported major renovations to the 1982 I.M. Pei-designed building, including expanded gallery space, new teaching facilities, and new visitor amenities.
Here are five things to check out when the museum reopens Nov. 7.
Museum Fest
The museum will celebrate its grand reopening with Museum Fest, Nov. 7-10. The festivities start at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at the museum’s main entrance.
Once the museum doors open, visitors can participate in a scavenger hunt, explore four new centers for learning and enjoy live music in the atrium. Guided tours and special programming will continue through the weekend.
New, Updated Entrances
The atrium through the main entryway of the museum features a new pedestrian bridge that links the two wings on the building’s third floor. Museum visitors will also now be able to enter the building through its terrace, which overlooks the IU Arboretum. The new entrance connects the museum to the north side of campus, making it more accessible.
‘A Gust of Wind’
The new Luzetta and Del Newkirk Café and Gift Shop includes a contemporary art installation on its ceiling from London-based designer Paul Cocksedge. The piece, “A Gust of Wind,” features satin-finished acrylic cast into sheets that resemble paper. The sheets float across the ceiling, tracing the movement of visitors from the new arboretum entrance, through the café and into the atrium.
The café and gift shop features soup, sandwiches, sweet treats, and Brown County coffee.
Time-Based Media Gallery
A new gallery devoted to time-based media and video art provides opportunities to exhibit emerging and experimental digital art with a rapid turnaround between exhibitions. State-of-the art projection and audio will offer artists the ideal conditions to show their work. The gallery’s panoramic view will be open at night to share its glow with the entire museum.
New Wellness Programming and Art-Making Studio
The renovated museum includes a new addition to the Center for Education. The art-making studio will host art therapy groups, wellness activities, family day drop-in art-making, tour group sensory activities, teacher professional development and children’s programs throughout the year.
The museum has also hired Lauren Daugherty as an art therapist and arts-based wellness experiences manager. She will offer special programming at the museum and around campus, including IU student wellness pop-ups.
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Information News at IU Bloomington, https://news.iu.edu/
