We’re getting a brand new art museum, North Carolina. Okay, not really — the NCMA buildings are staying the same, but the permanent collection that’s housed inside of them is getting a major reinstallation.

Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the NC legislature designating state funding to create the People’s Collection at the NCMA — better known as the art that can be seen for free throughout the museum. The move, made in 1947, made NC the first state in the nation to use public funds to buy art.

The collection hasn’t had a complete reorganization since the opening of the West Building in 2010, so it’s time for a refresh. Next year, visitors can expect to see major works loaned from state, national + international museums, site-specific commissioned pieces, plus current favorites presented in new ways.

In order to complete the makeover, parts of the museum will be closed next year.

🚧 Jan. 3, 2022: The East Building’s collection galleries (located on Level A) will close to visitors. The exhibition level, studio and performing arts spaces, and the East Café will remain open.

🚧 June 1, 2022: The entire West Building will close to the public. The East Buildings collection galleries will remain closed.

🎉 October 2022: The newly designed collections will reopen to the public — expect a number of celebrations and events beginning this month.

During the collection gallery closures, the Museum Park will remain open + the museum will host several exhibitions.
Fault Lines: Art and the Environment will open in April, featuring an immersive experience + outdoor sculpture installations. In October, the museum will host A Modern Vision: European Masterworks from The Phillips Collection, with works from artists like Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh + Pablo Picasso.

Four free exhibitions will also be taking place, read more about them here.

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