INDIANAPOLIS.- The IMA announced a tentative schedule, including gallery closings and adjusted programming, food service and museum hours, to facilitate the completion of its $74-million construction project. 

“The logistics of this kind of multifaceted construction project are challenging,” said IMA director and CEO Anthony Hirschel. “The decisions to temporarily alter IMA offerings at this time were difficult, but such adjustments are necessary as the impact of construction has affected accessibility to the IMA campus.” 

Gallery Closings: On Nov. 3, 2003, the Asian and Precolumbian galleries, located on the second gallery level, will close. The first of December will bring the closing of the entire third gallery level, which includes the contemporary collections and decorative arts. The American galleries, located on the first gallery level, will close Jan. 5, 2004. 

A year after the American galleries close, the Museum building will be completely closed to the public for approximately four months. In January 2005 all of the European galleries and print collection, located on the first gallery level and both floors of the Clowes Pavilion, as well as the African galleries, located on the second gallery level, will close. 

Gallery Openings: When the construction is completed in spring 2005, the glass-enclosed entry pavilion, special events pavilion, special exhibition galleries located in the new gallery pavilion, new educational spaces, retail venues—including an expanded gift shop and enhanced dining options—and the new underground parking garage will be open. At this time, a special exhibition from the IMA’s permanent collection will be presented in the new special exhibition galleries. While the construction will conclude in 2005, the entire Museum will not be open to the public until spring 2006 when the last of the gallery installations have taken place. 

Scheduled to coincide with Independence Day in 2005, the American galleries will be the first permanent collection galleries to open after the construction is completed, including the Precolumbian collection, which will open with a new name, Native Art of the Americas. The contemporary galleries will follow in September 2005. 

The Asian galleries will open in conjunction with the Asian Lunar New Year in February 2006, followed shortly by the African galleries, and in May 2006, the European and print galleries will open. 

Revised Hours, Food Service and Programming: Due to the construction-related reduction of offerings in 2004, the IMA will close to the public on Tuesdays, in addition to Mondays, effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2004. This includes both the Museum and Lilly House, although the gardens and grounds will remain open daily from dawn until dusk. All other hours of operation will remain the same. 

In addition, The Garden Terrace Restaurant will close on Dec. 31, 2003. Beginning in January 2004, the facility that currently houses the restaurant will become a full-service special events venue called Garden Terrace. Both IMA and external events—including the popular Taste of the IMA and Wine Tasting programs as well as weddings, showers, group luncheons and corporate retreats—will continue to be held at this popular venue. Café-style food service in the Museum will remain available to the public throughout 2004. 

Because of the increased construction activity inside the Museum, the IMA’s First Friday event will be held at a new location, the Indianapolis ArtsGarden, in 2004 and much of 2005. A schedule of dates and performers will be announced at a later date. Additionally, the IMA’s studio classes will be suspended beginning August 2004 due to renovations associated with the Museum construction project. 

Lilly House Open: Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens, the IMA’s historic house museum and 26-acre estate which was recently designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior, will remain open throughout the construction project. In addition, a special exhibition titled A Genius for Place: American Landscapes of the Country Place Era will take place on the upper level of Lilly House May 23 through Oct. 10, 2004. During the approximately four months the Museum is closed in early 2005, Lilly House will continue to be closed on both Mondays and Tuesdays. 

IMA Expansion: The IMA has embarked on a comprehensive expansion project that will create diverse new interior and exterior spaces in which to present its nationally recognized collections, and will further develop its public programming and outreach. The construction plans feature an enhanced Museum with three new wings, 50 percent more gallery space, an outdoor garden court, expanded educational and family facilities, and other new visitor amenities. The project will add 164,000 square feet to the Museum and includes renovation of 90,000 square feet of existing space. 

The building project is one aspect of a larger expansion initiative currently underway at the IMA. This includes the development of the 100-acre Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, the recently completed restoration of Oldfields–Lilly House & Gardens and the enhancement of the IMA’s grounds. The initiative has also led to major additions to the IMA’s collections and will significantly increase its art acquisition and operating endowments.