Since 1912, the Muskegon Museum of Art has been an invaluable community resource and a cultural treasure for the region and state. Known for its distinguished permanent collection, innovative exhibits, and educational programming, it serves a diverse regional community.
Alongside lead designers Annum Architects, Mathison | Mathison Architects (MMA) worked closely with the museum to celebrate one of the most beloved art collections in Michigan, and to foster education and cultural enrichment with a wide variety of newly programmed space.
The new 26,000 square foot expansion doubles the size of the museum, creating new galleries and spaces for education, collections, and visitor amenities. The ground floor features a large, flexible 4,700 square foot gallery, designed for changing exhibits.
The design reorients the museum entrance, connecting arrival with the city center and providing new visibility and a fresh identity. The lobby gallery creates a seamless link between the new addition, the main entry, and the original building. Within the space, a sculptural stair leads visitors upward – first over the vestibule, then to the upper level, where two smaller galleries for temporary exhibitions are located. The lobby roof tilts upward to form a clerestory window, bringing natural light into the space while preserving ample wall area for displaying artwork. Suspended above the stairs is a striking sculpture by Beth Lipman, which offers a dynamic visual experience as visitors ascend.
On the lower level, the print gallery features a large glass wall that provides views into the adjacent collections’ storage, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the museum’s operations. The expansion also prioritizes accessibility and family-friendly amenities, including two flexible classrooms that can be combined via a movable partition, as well as additional restrooms, including a dedicated family restroom.
The expansion’s façade is composed of custom aluminum panels in an anodized bronze finish, fabricated locally in Muskegon. Their varied profiles are arranged in a randomized pattern, creating a textured surface that shifts with changing light throughout the day. This contemporary exterior establishes a dynamic dialogue between old and new, embodying the museum’s evolving vision and mission.
The newly renovated Muskegon Museum of Art is not only a vibrant landmark for Muskegon, it stands out nationally as a leading-edge institution in a uniquely American mid-sized city.
Mailing Address: 296 W. Webster Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49440
GPS / Entrance Address: 315 W. Clay Ave., Muskegon, MI 49440
Phone Number: (231) 720-2570
Collaborating Architect
Mathison | Mathison Architects
Lead Architect
Photographers
Construction Manager
Owner’s Representative