MISSOULA, MT.- The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) has officially broken ground on a redesigned vestibule aimed at enhancing art safety, visitor comfort, and overall energy efficiency. Construction began on September 15 and is expected to continue through the end of the year.

The project focuses on replacing MAM’s aging and inefficient entrance doors, which are drafty, difficult to operate, and unable to maintain proper temperature control, making them unsuitable for year-round use, particularly during extreme summer heat and winter cold. These conditions not only create discomfort for visitors and staff but also make it challenging to maintain the stable temperature and humidity levels required to protect artwork.

The redesign reflects MAM’s broader commitment to sustainability. In 2020, the museum became part of a city-led Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) initiative with contractor McKinstry, aimed at improving efficiency across city-owned buildings. Following an Investment Grade Energy Audit, MAM implemented $164,731 in energy-saving upgrades, including LED lighting throughout the museum, modernized heating and cooling controls, reconfigured temperature zoning in offices and conference rooms, water-saving plumbing retrofits, and improved weather sealing and building insulation.

This new entrance project builds on those improvements and supports MAM’s adoption of the BIZOT Green Protocols, an international set of sustainability standards guiding museums to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining rigorous standards of care for their collections and communities.

As responsible stewards of its historic building, MAM is committed to creating a more comfortable, energy-efficient, and welcoming environment for all visitors.

While construction is underway, the Missoula Art Museum remains open during regular hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and every third Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Visitors are encouraged to check the website for updates and temporary entry instructions.