ALBANY, NY.- The New York State Board of Regents today reviewed a multi-year renovation plan for the New York State Museum’s exhibition galleries. The master plan calls for 35,000 square feet of new exhibitions, a changeable wall system and new interactive technology and media.

“The New York State Museum is an educational treasure for all New Yorkers,” said New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch. “The renovated galleries will tell the stories of New York State’s history in ways they have never been told before. New York State is the most important state in the nation – historically, scientifically and culturally. And the Museum’s new exhibition galleries will tell that story using our own world-class collections and the extraordinary collections of museums across the state.”

The master plan unveiled today outlines the vision and goals for the new galleries and the overall approach for the renovation project. The goal of the renovation is to share New York State’s natural, cultural and human history in an integrated, relevant, and memorable way. New exhibitions will link to existing exhibitions, such as the World Trade Center exhibition, the Cohoes Mastodon and Native Peoples of New York Hall.

The new galleries will be developed under a conceptual approach of “New York Stories” – with every exhibition telling the stories of the state in a diverse and compelling way. The new galleries will address the following themes:

· A State of Change: demonstrates New York State’s geographic and geological change through natural and human impact.

· Politics and Prose: presents New York State as a place of debate, dialogue and documentation.

· Emergence of a State: defines New York State through its people, places and events.

· Culture, Community and Context: explores New York State’s people, cities, and culture through topics such as art, music, architecture and beliefs.

· New York in 100 Objects: an exhibition of 100 objects, including objects borrowed from museums across the state, that represents the history of New York.

“The State Museum master plan provides a vision for revitalizing areas of the Museum and improving visitor experience,” said Regent Roger Tilles, Chair of the Regents Committee on Cultural Education. “The new exhibitions will integrate stories of science, history and culture and deliver an outstanding educational experience for all visitors – from children to adults.”

“Every year, the New York State Museum attracts and educates hundreds of thousands of visitors, including tens of thousands of students across the state,” said Acting State Education Commissioner Beth Berlin. “The Museum is embarking on a multi-year renovation project that will refresh existing exhibitions and create new galleries. Those new exhibitions and galleries will give visitors a renewed experience at the Museum. Every visitor will leave with a greater understanding of the natural, cultural and human history of the Empire State.”

“For nearly 180 years, the New York State Museum has been a symbol of inquiry, discovery and education for all New Yorkers,” said New York State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “Today, we are excited to unveil our master plan and begin an important renovation project that will introduce new and diverse stories never told before and preserve New York’s rich historical, cultural and scientific legacies. We thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for the funding for this important project that will enhance visitor experience at the Museum.”

The renovation is funded through a $14 million New York State capital bond item. With the master plan complete, the next stage is the exhibition design process. The renovation is expected to occur over a four-year timeline and will be completed in multiple phases. The Museum will remain open throughout the project, although certain gallery spaces will be closed temporarily while undergoing renovation.