Crystal Bridges Opens Impressive New 114,000 Square Foot Expansion
Interior Gallery Photos by and ©Tim Hursley, courtesy of Crystal Bridges Museum
As a world-class institution showcasing one of the most impressive collections of American art spanning five centuries, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has firmly placed Bentonville, Arkansas on the global cultural map. And, except for a few major holidays, the museum and it’s trails are always free.
Bentonville has a history of reinvention: first as a thriving agricultural hub, then as a premier training ground for the US Olympic Mountain Biking Team, and now as a vibrant cultural destination. Driven by Alice Walton’s philanthropic vision to make exceptional art accessible to all, Crystal Bridges has transformed the city into an American art mecca and a stunning centerpiece of community creativity.
On June 6, Crystal Bridges will offer even more to admire with the opening of a 114,000-square-foot expansion under Safdie Architects’ direction to bring more than 250 new acquisitions to two new art galleries, a new space for temporary exhibitions, and a community learning Hub that features studios and art making spaces for all ages.
By platforming Native art, it doesn’t just change the story of American art history. It transforms the way people see and understand this country.”- Jordan Poorman Cocker, curator of Indigenous art
This expansion increases the 200,000-square-foot museum by more than 50 percent, helping to expand on Walton’s vision to bring fine art to her hometown, and make it accessible for everyone. As with the original building, opened in 2011, Walton brought in Moshe Safdie to create space that would also pay homage to the natural beauty of the surrounding Ozark landscape.
The impetus for the expansion and reinstallation of many of the permanent collection pieces is to better center Indigenous art and craft (Bentonville’s Indigenous population is the Osage Nation, now in Oklahoma). This art is not relegated to one wing of the building, as often showcased in many other art museums, an intentional shift to better tell the story of American art, according to museum curators. As Jordan Poorman Cocker, curator of Indigenous Art, notes: “By platforming Native art, it doesn’t just change the story of American art history. It transforms the way people see and understand this country.”
New acquisitions include Kent Monkman, Lola Cody, Roy Boney Jr., Nicholas Galanin, and Jeffrey Gibson (who is featured in the latest issue of Hi-Fructose), and a new temporary exhibit featuring Keith Haring’s 3-D works will open concurrently with the expansion.
“It’s easier to get to Bentonville than you think: direct flights run daily from many major domestic hubs. It’s worth the trip to see one of the (for now) best-kept secrets in the American Art world.”
More information on Crystal Bridges and how to visit in person here.
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