Big changes are in store for the Dallas Museum of Art.

Forty years after its opening, the iconic downtown museum is slated to soon receive its first major design overhaul, resulting in new exhibit space and public amenities. Let’s break it down.

The old and the new

The Dallas Museum of Art became a pivotal landmark for the developing Dallas Arts District when it opened in 1984.

The building that Dallasites know and love today is the brainchild of lauded architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, who also designed Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center and Chicago’s Smart Museum.

The modernist style of Barnes’ design may get a new look with this upcoming expansion — and leaders hint at growth to the museum’s collections, as well. Agustín Arteaga, the DMA’s Eugene McDermott Director, envisions the museum with the “most significant collection of contemporary art of any encyclopedic museum.”

What’s in store

The redesign concept from Madrid- and Berlin-based Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos — which beat out 150+ submissions for the bid — honors Barnes’ original design and includes new features like:

A “floating gallery” on the roof
A restaurant + rooftop terrace overlooking Klyde Warren Park
Two new facades
Education and performance spaces along Harwood Street

The museum is still deep in the planning phase, but in the coming months, the institution is expected to make adjustments to the design and share a final plan — including cost estimates — with the public.

Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos' design beat out 150+ other bids for the DMA redesign. | Rendering provided by the Dallas Museum of Art, © Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos

In the meantime…

Just can’t wait? See the design concept on display in Focus Gallery II.

While you’re there, take in the DMA’s other current exhibitions, including:

Love Island: Japanese Weddings of the Edo Period | Closing Sunday, Oct. 6
The Impressionist Revolution from Monet to Matisse | Closing Sunday, Nov. 3
Frida: Beyond the Myth | Closing Sunday, Nov. 17

The museum also offers programs for both adults and children, including late night hours, screenings, and special events. Reserve your free tickets online.