An $11.7 million renovation of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City will showcase the internationally celebrated Marion and Henry Bloch Collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art, which will go on permanent view in Spring 2017. The collection was showcased during the 2007 opening of the Bloch Building and bequeathed to the museum under the leadership of Director Emeritus Marc F. Wilson in 2010. The art will be integrated with the museum’s European collection, a project that is the result of a thoughtful planning process and strategic initiative. The renovation of galleries begins this summer on the Plaza level of the Nelson-Atkins Building.
As part of that process, the museum consulted with Wilson and Philippe de Montebello, the former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}Both men were generous with their insight and expertise as to the best way to integrate this monumental gift into the museum’s collection.
The northeast quadrant of the Plaza level of the original Nelson-Atkins Building will be closed to visitors during the nearly two-year renovation. The project is funded by the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, which has designated the Nelson-Atkins as one if its legacy organizations.
“This is a transformational gift, and it represents great collectors working with our museum directors and art scholars to seek out important works of art that would one day be shared with all of Kansas City,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell CEO and director of the Nelson-Atkins. “Marion and Henry Bloch worked with Ted Coe, director of the Nelson-Atkins from 1977 to 1982, to select these Impressionist works of art. Under the stewardship of Marc Wilson, the Bloch Collection was gifted to the Nelson-Atkins, and now we are working on a transformation of the galleries so that the Bloch Collection shines in a new light. We are deeply grateful to the Blochs not only for the gift of the art, but also for the funding to renovate the galleries.”
The renovation will continue the tradition of excellence of previous renovations, such as the American Art Galleries and the American Indian Art Galleries.
“I am so happy to support this massive renovation of the Nelson-Atkins,” said Henry Bloch. “Planning this renovation project has given me and my family a great deal of joy. I’m very pleased to see the Bloch Family Foundation embrace this project and also to see the Nelson-Atkins be propelled to even greater recognition.”
Art will be removed from the affected galleries starting this summer. The northeast quadrant of the Plaza level will be closed during the construction period, but other galleries on that level will remain open. The rest of the museum will not be affected by the renovation and will be open as usual.
“I personally know the love and appreciation that Marion and Henry experienced as they collected each of these exceptional works of art,” said Shirley Bush Helzberg, chair of the Nelson-Atkins Board of Trustees. “I cannot imagine anything more meaningful to the family than seeing these masterpieces on the walls of our state-of-the-art museum.”
The target date for reopening the galleries is Spring 2017.
“The importance of this gift is beyond significant,” said Philippe de Montebello. “The Nelson-Atkins is a grand institution with impeccable installations and this renovation will only enhance the rest. The Bloch collection is transformative.”
BNIM, a Kansas City design and architecture firm, will be handling the renovation, along with J. E. Dunn Construction Group. Both companies are extremely familiar with the museum property because of their work on past projects.
“BNIM is delighted to work with the Nelson-Atkins on this prestigious project,” said Steve McDowell, BNIM director of design. “Once again, we will be helping the museum realize the vision of Henry Bloch, and in this case, good design will allow many thousands of people to see these masterpieces each year.”
“This is an extensive renovation, and a very important one for the Nelson-Atkins,” said William Dunn Sr., chairman emeritus of J. E. Dunn Construction Group. “We are grateful to be working with the museum on this important project.” Dunn played a key role as a member of the Steering Committee when plans were underway to build the Bloch Building in 2003.{/mprestriction}
