Rockford Art Museum will close for six months. Here's why
The Rockford Art Museum closed Monday and may not reopen until late spring or early summer 2024.
While closed, the museum at 711 N. Main St. will undergo an $8 million HVAC renovation that will help the museum preserve its precious collection of art and artifacts for many years to come..
"The HVAC system for Riverfront Museum Park is very old," said RAM Executive Director Carrie Johnson. ""It's just an old system. Its harder to find parts ... So, it's harder to keep things running smoothly. We've known this day was coming."
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The museum had been seeking funds in earnest, Johnson said. Newly-awarded state grants are finally letting the museum move forward.
"We're thrilled because this is going to ensure the quality of our collection for preservation purposes," Johnson said.
The Rockford Art Museum is located in an old Sears department store building that dates back to the 1950s.
Renovations will occur in phases over the next six to seven months.
The first phase will not affect the museum's classroom area, Johnson said, which will allow the museum to continue with classes and programming from figure drawing and studio art to activities for children. They also plan to add movie showings. The spring Young Artist Show will be held at another location.
"I know a lot of people hear of a six-month shut down and tend to think it is a bad thing. We're sad that the galleries will be closed, but it really is such a good thing for this building," Johnson said. "It really does ensure our amazing permanent collection is going to be preserved for a very long time."
Rockford-based Stenstrom Construction will perform the renovation.
Chris Green is a general assignment reporter. Reach out to him with story ideas at 815-987-1241, cgreen@rrstar.com or @chrisfgreen.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: HVAC renovation project closes Rockford Art Musuem for six months
