By: Maria Consbruck, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. – After 90 years of Joslyn Art Museum, the museum is finally receiving an upgrade. The museum will be closing for two years while undergoing renovations.
Leading the renovation is the international architectural firm Snǿhetta in partnership with Omaha’s Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture.
Museum goers can expect new community spaces, additional classrooms, and enhanced amenities that support increased public programs, upon reopening. The existing office spaces will be restored and modernized, as well.
Jack Becker, Executive Director and CEO of Joslyn, said that this expansion and renovation has been in the works for a number of years.
“We have been working on this project as far back as 2016, we moved forward with the architectural process in 2018,” he said.
While temporarily closed, the Joslyn staff will continue their research work while exploring new possibilities for engagement with the Omaha community leading up to reopening.
Amy Rummel, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Joslyn, said the museum will continue to share news and exciting bits of information on events while closed.
“But we are also launching a program called Joslyn Around Town, which is an opportunity for people to engage with us at off-site locations in person,” she said.
Some of these events include Joslyn curator talks offered at Joslyn Castle, family art programming at the Riverfront, and engagement opportunities at festivals around Omaha.
“People have been really gracious,” Rummel said. “We have wonderful community partners and it’s terrific to be invited in to allow us to continue to engage at these off-site locations.”
So, for any art lovers out there, keep an artist’s eye out for opportunities to see ‘Joslyn Around Town’.
Both Rummel and Becker are grateful for the endless support from the Omaha Community and are ecstatic for what the future holds.
“I think I am most excited by thinking about the increased roll that this museum can play within this community and region as a destination for families, for adults, for people across the region,” Becker said. “And how we can be sort of a great place for the entire Omaha community.”
Now through May 1st, visit Joslyn Art Museum for some final moments before closing.
