DCLA-EDC Break Ground on Bronx Museum Renovation

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For Immediate Release: July 11, 2024

Contact: publicaffairs@culture.nyc.gov (DCLA)

press@edc.nyc (NYCEDC)

bronxmuseum@culturalcounsel.com (Bronx Museum)

DCLA, NYCEDC, DCAS, MUSEUM LEADERSHIP & BRONX ELECTED OFFICIALS BREAK GROUND ON RENOVATION OF THE BRONX MUSEUM OF THE ARTS

New Multi-Story Entrance and Lobby will Enhance Arrival Experience and Unify Museum Campus to Create a Continuous Gallery Loop

Museum Renovation is Supported by Nearly $33 Million in City Funding with Additional Support from the State

THE BRONX, NY – Today, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) joined Bronx elected officials and community stakeholders to officially break ground on the $33 million renovation of The Bronx Museum, the largest contemporary art museum in New York City with 100% free admission. Overseen by Marvel, an award-winning architecture, landscape architecture, interiors and urban planning practice, the renovation will reorient the main entrance toward the intersection of Grand Concourse and 165th Street and unify the Museum campus to create a continuous gallery loop. Construction is anticipated to be completed and the building to reopen in 2026. During the construction, the Museum will continue to present exhibitions and events in its northern gallery spaces.

The Bronx Museum is among the first cultural institutions that DCAS and NYCEDC are partnering to improve as part of the 80x50 program, with the goal of aligning capital projects to the City’s ambitious long-term goals for energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. As part of the capital funding provided by DCAS for this renovation, new installations and upgrades include high-efficiency heat pumps, an enhanced ventilation system, new wall insulation and high-performance triple-glazed windows, and brand new 32 kW rooftop solar panels.

Rendering of The Bronx Museum renovation. Photo Credit: Marvel

“The Bronx Museum is a cutting-edge cultural institution located in one of the most vibrant creative communities in the world, and this renovation will give it the facility it deserves to fulfill its mission of bringing artists and audiences together,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “We’re proud of the significant City investment in this project and can’t wait to see the extraordinary things the Museum can do when this space opens to the public.”

“The renovation of the Bronx Museum will transform a cultural icon of the Bronx into a modern institution that will result in additional space for contemporary art exhibitions and a unified campus for all New Yorkers to enjoy,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “NYCEDC is thrilled to have partnered with DCLA, DCAS, and our development partners to bring this renovation in the historic Grand Concourse District to life and looks forward to the building’s opening in 2026.”

“The Bronx Museum is a beloved New York City institution, and this renovation represents a significant investment in its accessibility, energy efficiency, and most importantly, its future,” said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “It is our hope that this work will help to ensure that the rich history and diverse artistic expressions of The Bronx can continue to entertain and inspire for years to come.”

"This renovation marks a transformative moment for The Bronx Museum, creating a world-class cultural anchor the people of The Bronx deserve,” said Klaudio Rodriguez, Executive Director of The Bronx Museum. “With an improved entry experience and more spacious and accessible lobby, a seamless interior layout, and new exhibition and programming spaces, Marvel’s visionary design is rooted in careful consideration of our mission, commitment to free access, and the dynamic communities we serve.”

Components of The Bronx Museum expansion will include:

A unified campus to create a continuous gallery loop,

Large street-facing displays for rotating installations,

A spacious lobby with a seating area,

Additional space for exhibitions, and

A new main entrance to expand the Museum’s reach and experience to the sidewalk.

The renovation’s primary goal is unifying the Museum's multiple buildings into a seamless and recognizable campus. Marvel’s design creates new connections between buildings and allows for a fully accessible route through all the galleries. For the exterior, Marvel implements folded copper bronze panels that reference the multi-faceted structure of the Museum's northern wing as well as the art deco architecture of the Grand Concourse District. Furthermore, Marvel’s vision pays respect to the site’s existing building, a synagogue built in 1962, and incorporates brick walls from the original structure.

New triple-height windows at the main entrance will allow for art to be visible from the street, helping to draw people into the Museum. Upon entering, visitors will find a bright, welcoming, and inspiring space that is in sync with the vibrancy of the surrounding neighborhood. A food vendor, yet to be determined, will also enhance visitor experience and engagement.

“This renovation is a testament to New York City’s unwavering commitment to the free enjoyment of our cultural institutions and to the vibrant community of the Bronx. By collaborating closely with Speaker Adams and the Bronx Delegation, we have successfully allocated $4.5 million to ensure this transformative project is fully funded,” said City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “I am immensely proud that the City Council is pivotal in bringing this vision to life. This investment not only preserves our rich cultural heritage, but also promises to invigorate the local economy and inspire future generations. I eagerly anticipate the museum's grand re-opening in 2026, where we can all witness the culmination of our shared dedication and hard work.”

“This significant and transformative renovation will reorient the main entrance toward the vibrant intersection of Grand Concourse and 165th Street, unifying the museum campus and creating a continuous and immersive gallery loop. This transformation will not only enhance the museum's accessibility but also enrich the cultural landscape of our beloved community,” said Assemblymember Landon Dais. “The Bronx Museum of the Arts stands as a beacon of creativity and innovation in our district, and this renovation marks a new chapter in its storied legacy. We eagerly look forward to witnessing the positive and lasting impact this project will have on the Bronx and its residents, fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts and bringing us all closer together."

"This groundbreaking renovation of The Bronx Museum represents a significant milestone for our community, reinforcing the Bronx's reputation as a cultural hub and providing an even more inclusive and accessible space for art and creativity,” said New York State Senator Luis Sepulveda. With the support of nearly $33 million in city funding, this expansion will not only enhance the visitor experience but also ensure that the museum remains a beacon of artistic expression and innovation. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have on our residents and visitors alike, as we continue to celebrate and nurture the rich cultural heritage of The Bronx."

“It is an honor to be part of the design team creating a warm, welcoming, memorable Bronx Museum of Art's new celebration of civic life at the intersection of the Grand Concourse and the World!” said Jonathan Marvel, Founding Principal, Marvel.

“As builders committed to delivering projects that will support the community, and the residents and families who call it home, Consigli is proud to partner with the Bronx Museum of the Arts, NYCEDC and DCLA on this transformative expansion,” said Laura Bush, Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Regional Director – NYC Metro. “We look forward to our continued work to help bring the Museum’s vision to life and create a space that inspires, educates and remains reflective of the dynamic and diverse audiences it serves.”

Located in the Special Grand Concourse District, The Bronx Museum was founded in 1971 in the public rotunda of The Bronx County Courthouse on Grand Concourse and 161st Street. In 1982, it moved to 165th Street and Grand Concourse into a former synagogue purchased and donated by the City of New York. In 2004, the museum began construction on a 16,000-square-foot expansion designed by Arquitectonica that opened in 2006.

The Bronx Museum renovation is supported by public funds from DCLA, DCAS with additional support from the state and is overseen by NYCEDC. For more information about The Bronx Museum, please click here.

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About NYC Department of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City’s vibrant cultural life. DCLA works to promote and advocate for quality arts programming and to articulate the contribution made by the cultural community to the City’s vitality. The Department represents and serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary, and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens, and historic and preservation societies; and creative artists at all skill levels who live and work within the City’s five boroughs. DCLA also provides donated materials for arts programs offered by the public schools and cultural and social service groups, and commissions permanent works of public art at City-funded construction projects throughout the five boroughs. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/culture.

About NYCEDC

New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity, build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About The Bronx Museum

For over five decades, The Bronx Museum of the Arts has been a vanguard of cultural diversity and accessibility in the contemporary art world. The Museum offers 100% free admission for everyone to all its exhibitions and programs, providing a vital creative outlet to the public. Through its curatorial practices, including a permanent collection, the Museum seeks to uplift and champion POC artists and artists who have been historically and systemically marginalized. The history and culture of The Bronx are a never-ending source of inspiration for the Museum, and its programs are designed to facilitate meaningful engagement with the people of the borough while also attracting visitors from all over New York City and the world. The Bronx Museum is a leader in the cultural sphere with its unwavering commitment to access, dedication to platforming underrepresented artists, and dynamic community-engaged programming.

1040 Grand Concourse / The Bronx, New York 10456
FREE ADMISSION / Wed–Sun, 11AM–6PM
718-681-6000 / info@bronxmuseum.org
bronxmuseum.org / @bronxmuseum / #bronxmuseum