INDIANAPOLIS, IL.- The Indianapolis Museum of Art announced it is remodeling its third floor galleries consisting of the Asian, African, design arts, and textiles and fashion arts collections throughout the next two years. The new configuration will allow for more efficient use of space and improved display of objects, while providing room for the IMA’s growing design arts collection. Temporary gallery closures will begin February 1 as the Museum prepares for new exhibitions.

“As an encyclopedic Museum, it is important that we continue to show all areas of our permanent collection in fresh and innovative ways,” said Maxwell L. Anderson, The Melvin & Bren Simon Director and CEO of the IMA. “The African galleries were last renovated prior to the Museum’s expansion, so I am thrilled they will have a fresh look, a more central location, and new interest. The changes on the third floor will engage audiences in our ever-evolving permanent collection – an ongoing goal we are setting in the Museum’s strategic planning process.”

Renovations have begun, and the project is expected to be complete by fall 2012. The updated space will include energy-efficient lighting systems that will better illuminate the Museum’s collection.

Beginning February 1, a portion of the third floor will be closed in preparation for upcoming exhibitions. Material World will open April 22 in the Paul Textile and Fashion Arts Suite. Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria opens July 8 in the third floor space that will later hold the IMA’s permanent African collection.

The third floor changes will include:

- Asian Galleries will be concentrated to one side of the third floor with improved layout and lighting. The new space will retain the same amount of square footage as the previous Asian Galleries. The Frances Parker Appel Gallery will continue to host rotating Japanese print exhibitions. Portions of the collection will be on view through August 2012.

- The Paul Textile and Fashion Arts Suite will continue to display textile and fashion exhibitions, and the Dorothy and Lee Alig Textile Learning Center will remain an education resource.

- A portion of the Asian galleries will close and then house Dynasty and Divinity July 8 to January 15, 2012. The Eiteljorg Gallery of African Art will close January 2012 and move into the renovated space that held Dynasty and Divinity. The African collection will reopen spring 2012 with many familiar objects, as well as a newly interpreted collection.

- The IMA’s design arts collection will open on the third floor in fall 2012, in the former African galleries. The gallery will offer more space to display the IMA’s rapidly expanding contemporary design collection.

The third floor changes will be made possible through capital funds and financial support from donors while the entire suite will open fall 2012.