After two years of meticulous planning and execution, the Portland Art Museum (PAM) is set to unveil its transformed campus this November, marking a meaningful milestone for the arts in the Pacific Northwest. This $111 million expansion project, encompassing 95,000 square feet of new and renovated space, promises a revitalized museum experience with restructured galleries and the debut of nearly 300 previously unseen artworks.
The grand unveiling, scheduled for November 20th, will be celebrated with four days of festivities and free admission, inviting the public to explore the “new” PAM. This conversion aims to solidify the museum’s position as a vital cultural hub,offering diverse audiences enhanced opportunities to engage with art from Oregon,the Pacific Northwest,and across the globe.at the heart of this enterprising project is the Mark Rothko Pavilion, a 22,000-square-foot, multi-story structure that seamlessly connects the museum’s Main Building and the Mark Building. This architectural marvel, clad in semi-clear glass, is designed to serve as a dynamic passageway between the two buildings’ four floors of gallery space. During the day, the pavilion will offer glimpses of the art and activity within, while at night, it will transform into a “glowing beacon for the arts downtown,” according to a museum press release.
The pavilion pays homage to Latvian-born painter Mark Rothko, who studied at the museum’s art school after his family emigrated to Portland, Oregon.
Beyond the Rothko Pavilion,the museum’s interior is undergoing a comprehensive reimagining. Dedicated patrons will discover entirely restructured permanent galleries, designed to create more intuitive pathways for art exploration. A key objective of the renovation is to increase the visibility of PAM’s Native American and contemporary art collections, reflecting a commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices.
Rather of organizing collections by time period or region, the museum will adopt a thematic approach, grouping artworks based on shared concepts and ideas.This “cross-departmental approach to curation” aims to foster connections between different artistic traditions and encourage visitors to discover new perspectives.
A significant addition is the Black Art and Experiences Gallery, the museum’s first permanent space dedicated to showcasing the work of Black artists. This gallery, prominently located and visible 24/7 through the Rothko Pavilion’s glass walls, underscores the museum’s commitment to inclusivity and portrayal. As John Goodwin, director of Community Philanthropy, stated, It’s not put in the back or the corner someplace. It’s a significant space, and we’re so pleased with that.
The revamped layout will also feature hundreds of new acquisitions across various collections, from Native American art to modern art and photography, enriching the museum’s holdings and providing visitors with fresh artistic encounters.
already, some reinstalled galleries are offering a preview of the forthcoming changes. Visitors may have already seen Claude Monet’s “Waterlilies,” which recently underwent restoration in the museum’s new conservation studio and is on display through August. The museum’s new café and an expanded gift store are slated to reopen in late August, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
How does the new thematic approach to gallery organization aim to enhance visitor engagement and understanding of the artwork?
Table of Contents
- 1. How does the new thematic approach to gallery organization aim to enhance visitor engagement and understanding of the artwork?
- 2. Portland Art Museum Conversion: An Interview with Curator Amelia Chen
- 3. The Unveiling of the New PAM
- 4. The Mark Rothko Pavilion: A beacon for the Arts
- 5. A New Approach to Art Exploration
- 6. Inclusivity and New Acquisitions
- 7. The Visitor Experience
- 8. Looking Ahead
Portland Art Museum Conversion: An Interview with Curator Amelia Chen
archyde News recently had the pleasure of speaking with Amelia chen, Senior Curator at the Portland Art Museum, about the upcoming unveiling of the museum’s significant expansion and renovation.
The Unveiling of the New PAM
Archyde News: Amelia, thank you for joining us. The buzz around the Portland Art Museum’s expansion is palpable.Can you tell us a bit about what visitors can expect when the doors open this November?
amelia Chen: Absolutely! We’re incredibly excited. After two years of hard work, we’re thrilled to unveil a transformed museum experience. the $111 million project includes a 95,000-square-foot expansion and renovation. Visitors will be greeted by restructured galleries, the debut of nearly 300 new artworks, and a complete reimagining of our space.
The Mark Rothko Pavilion: A beacon for the Arts
Archyde News: The Mark Rothko Pavilion seems to be a key element. Can you describe its role in connecting the museum’s buildings?
Amelia Chen: The Rothko Pavilion is a 22,000-square-foot, multi-story structure designed to seamlessly connect the Main Building and the Mark Building. This glass-clad architectural marvel will serve as a dynamic passageway. During the day, you’ll get glimpses of the art within, and at night, it will transform into a glowing beacon, a true beacon for arts with four floors of gallery space.
A New Approach to Art Exploration
Archyde News: beyond the new structure, are there changes to how the art is presented?
Amelia Chen: Yes, absolutely! we’re implementing a thematic approach to the galleries. Instead of organizing purely by time period or regional focus, we are grouping artworks based on shared concepts and ideas to create more intuitive pathways. Additionally, we are increasing visibility of our Native American and contemporary art collections and are making our permanent collections easier to engage with.
Inclusivity and New Acquisitions
Archyde News: We’re also intrigued by the new Black Art and Experiences Gallery. What does this signify for the museum’s mission?
Amelia Chen: It underscores our commitment to inclusivity and representation. The gallery will be prominently located and visible 24/7 through the Rothko Pavilion’s glass walls. We want all visitors to see the diversity of art that is on display. Beyond that, we’re adding hundreds of new acquisitions across many collections to enrich the museum’s offerings.
The Visitor Experience
Archyde News: What is the biggest improvement that will be available to visitors?
Amelia Chen: We want the visitor’s experience to be holistic. The new café and gift shop renovations play a crucial part,but the restructuring of several permanent galleries will impact the visitor the most.
Looking Ahead
Archyde News: Amelia, the opening is set for November 20th, with a four-day festivity. What is your closing thought?
Amelia Chen: The reopening marks a major milestone for the arts in the Pacific Northwest. We hope that this experience will create deeper engagement with art and culture. We are excited to welcome everyone! What aspects of this project are you, as an Archyde News reader, most looking forward to experiencing? We would love to hear your thoughts!
