[ad_1]
NEW BEDFORD – The new Bedford Art Museum / Artworks! (NBAM) is nearing its plans for expansion and renovation.
“When you add visuals and add the narrative, everyone is just so excited,” said Ashely Occhino, NBAM’s executive director, after the museum unveiled the latest architectural renderings at an event on Friday.
The museum’s plan is to renovate all three floors of its building at 608 Pleasant St. Occhino. The main focus is on doubling the gallery and rebuilding the educational space. NBAM’s plans also include improving safety and environmental controls.
The City’s Housing and Community Development Office is currently located on the second floor of the building. Mayor Jon Mitchell has confirmed plans to move the department to other offices so that the museum can occupy the entire building.
Additionally, Occhino says accessibility will be an important part of the upgrades. New handicapped accessible bathrooms and larger elevators allow every guest full access to the museum.
Target: NBAM – A plan to expand the New Bedford Art Museum goes step by step
“The museum can really be a progressive institution,” added Occhino. “We need an elevator that is nice and big and wide for a wheelchair user. So I can accommodate several people in it. ”
The museum is working with the Boston architecture firm Machado Silvetti on the proposal.
Although Occhino would not provide details of the cost of the proposal or how much has already been raised, the museum is trying to fund the project with 50 percent of the funds from public sources.
Funding sources include the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund, the New Bedford Community Preservation Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, bonding and historical tax credits, and “working with government at the city, state, and federal levels,” she added add an email response.
Building a destination attraction
The art museum was identified as a cultural development opportunity for the city in Mitchell’s 200-page art and culture plan, published in 2018.
Occhino says they looked at the arts and culture plan as a roadmap. “It’s all these building blocks, so to speak, and we’re just building on them.”
NBAM’s goal is to become a target museum for the region and the state, she added.
More:$ 1 million more to promote local arts and culture
At a reception last Friday the The museum’s administration, Machado Silvetti architect Austin Ward and Mitchell spoke to museum staff, curators, committee members and art patrons about the latest plans.
“I think with everything that has happened in the last 18-19 months, it’s nice to have more exciting moments for us where people can really rally around us,” said Occhino.
“There was just a good buzz in the room.”
Short term plans for the museum
As for a timeline, Occhino says they don’t have a solid answer. “It’s about taking our concept and fine-tuning, fine-tuning, fine-tuning, and finally you have the blueprints that you hand over to a contractor,” she said.
“There is no better opportunity than now.”
In the meantime, the museum has already started making small improvements, such as putting banners outside the building to make it more visible to tourists.
Since May, the museum has presented “Uncommon Threads: The Work of Ruth E. Carter”, a solo exhibition in honor of the Massachusetts-born Oscar-winning costume designer who has a 30-year career in Hollywood.
Carter has designed costumes for films such as “Black Panther”, “Malcom X” and “Selma”. The exhibition closes on November 14th.
Exhibition for the Oscar:New Bedford Art Museum exclusively presents the Oscar-winning costume designer
In December, NBAM presents a “member exhibition” with art from all over the region such as paintings, drawings, mixed media, photography, ceramics and more.
Occhino also hopes the renovations will bring better exhibitions that will result in a stronger program, ultimately helping to improve the city’s residents.
“Ultimately, this project will really change the culture and art in New Bedford,” said Occhino. “There are so many positive reasons for this.
“For the city and the building itself.”
Standard Times representative, Seth Chitwood, can be reached at schitwood@st.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard Times today.
[ad_2]
