The Springfield Art Museum has hired an architectural firm to develop a master plan for its building and grounds.
According to museum officials, recent significant growth in the number of visitors, increased demand for expanded services and aging and outdated education facilities prompted the decision to hire BNIM to create a master plan.
Funding will be provided by what officials call “a generous anonymous donor.”
The master plan will focus on three areas: renovation, replacement and/or expansion of the existing education wing, renovation of the existing building and improvements to the grounds to better connect the museum to surrounding amenities, including Phelps Grove Park and the Waterwise Garden.
Museum Director Nick Nelson says BNIM was chosen in part because of their practice of extending the museum experience to the outdoors and surrounding natural amenities.
Community listening sessions and stakeholder meetings will be held as part of the master planning process to help identify unanticipated needs and share the work BNIM is doing. Final concepts are expected in the spring.
