DUBLIN.- The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) wishes to advise visitors that, owing to essential and extensive refurbishment works, the main building at IMMA will be closed from 1 November 2011 until 31 December 2012.

Exhibitions will continue in the New Galleries, and the Artists’ Residency Programme will also continue on site during the closure. The café, bookshop and grounds will remain open to visitors. The Museum is also working towards using one or more off-site locations in Dublin to present further exhibitions and projects. IMMA’s successful National Programme will continue in venues around Ireland, North and South.

Visitors are also asked to note that the next exhibition in the New Galleries will not open until 16 November 2011 when Rivane Neuenschwander: A Day Like Any Other will go on show until 29 January 2012. Between 1 and 15 November the Artists’ Residency Programme will continue as usual, with artists John Beattie (Ireland), Brian Duggan (Ireland), Vittorio Santoro (Italy), Amy Stephens (UK) and Mary-Ruth Walsh (Ireland). In addition, three new outdoor artwork trails are available in the grounds: one based on bronze, one on steel and a third on natural materials. Accompanying maps, including background information and questions for children, can be downloaded from IMMA’s website www.imma.ie.

The Musuem has recently placed a selection of works from its Collection in the basement, adjacent to the café and bookshop, and these will remain on show throughout the closure. In addition to the National Programme, the Barrie Cooke exhibition, organised by the Museum, will be on show at the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork from 18 November to 14 January 2012, while Out of the Dark Room: The David Kronn Collection can be seen at the Glucksman Gallery, also in Cork, from 18 November to 18 March 2012.

The works to IMMA’s main building will be carried out by the OPW and will involve a major upgrade of the Museum’s lighting, security and fire safety systems. This will include the installation of a new wiring system, greatly enhanced electronic security and a more advanced fire prevention system. A new hoist for artworks will facilitate a more efficient installation of exhibitions, while improved flooring and an additional fire escape will also be put in place.

These works will significantly enhance the experience for visitors, with greatly improved lighting and flooring, while the improvements to security systems will enable part of the North Range to be used for exhibitions on a regular basis. The project will also reduce energy costs and enable the Museum to operate in a more environmentally efficient manner. The works are due to be completed in approximately one year, and the Museum is scheduled to reopen to visitors in January 2013.