The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond has announced that several galleries will temporarily close starting May 13, 2025. The closures are part of preparations for the museum’s largest expansion and renovation project to date.
“Following the completion of the final design phase, groundbreaking for the museum’s expansion and renovation project is expected to begin in late 2025,” said Director and CEO Alex Nyerges. “I am delighted to announce that throughout this project, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will remain open 365 days a year, and our robust schedule of programs, events, performances and incredible blockbuster exhibitions will continue.”
Dr. Michael Taylor, Artistic Director and Chief Curator, stated: “The Lewis Collection Mid to Late 20th-Century Art Galleries and the Lewis Collection Art Deco and Art Nouveau Galleries will be closed for the duration of the museum’s expansion project. The two renowned collections will travel internationally, beginning with the Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand. The temporary departure of works near the construction area will ensure their continued safety and make way for the museum’s transformation to begin.”
The last major expansion at VMFA occurred in 2010 with the addition of a wing named after James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin.
Currently spanning over 718,000 square feet, VMFA plans to add approximately 173,000 square feet through its new McGlothlin Wing II. This addition will include new spaces dedicated to American and Indigenous American art, contemporary art, African art, as well as a special exhibition gallery suite. Other features include an events space seating up to 500 people, meeting rooms, a café, and a bar.
Renovations will also update about 45,000 square feet in existing wings built in 1936, 1970, and 2010. These updates include expanded gallery areas for photography and works on paper through the Raysor Center. European art galleries from Medieval times through Impressionism will also be enlarged.
Funding for this project comes from both public and private sources. Completion is targeted for late 2028; however, details may change as planning continues. More information about the expansion can be found at www.VMFA.museum.
VMFA is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. Founded in 1936 as a state agency with private endowment support, its mission includes collecting and exhibiting artworks while supporting education through various programs across Virginia. Its permanent collection exceeds 50,000 works representing cultures worldwide over more than six millennia.
Notable holdings include what is considered the largest public Fabergé collection outside Russia as well as significant collections of Art Nouveau outside Paris and American art within the U.S., alongside strong representations of Chinese art, English silverware, French Impressionist pieces, South Asian works—including Himalayan—and African art.
In May 2010 VMFA opened its previous major expansion with McGlothlin Wing I; now McGlothlin Wing II is planned to open by 2028—making VMFA one of America’s largest comprehensive museums.
Recently recognized by The Washington Post as one of America’s top twenty art museums (https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/11/10/best-art-museums-united-states/), VMFA stands out as being open every day with free general admission.
