Displaying items by tag: smithsonian museum

The 19th Smithsonian museum opened its doors on September 24, and since then, demand to experience the new museum has yet to subside. Even though the museum is trying to implement timed passes to help manage the crowds, passes are quickly selling out online. 103,000 people visited the history, culture and community exhibitions in its first ten days, even with the museum being conservative about giving out advance passes to visitors. People have been traveling from across over the country to have a chance to see all of the incredible African American memorabilia in one place.

The Renwick Gallery, the Smithsonian museum dedicated to American craft and decorative arts, has embarked on a $30-million, two-year renovation project. The museum shuttered its 154-year-old building last month for its first renovation in 40 years. The Renwick will restore parts of its building, refurbish historic features and make technological updates to its Grand Salon.

The project is being helmed by the Cleveland-based architecture firm Westlake Reed Leskosky. Applied Minds, an interdisciplinary company based in Los Angeles, will be responsible for transforming the Renwick’s Grand Salon into a high-tech, interactive art space.

The project is a 50-50 public-private partnership. So far the Renwick has raised $10 million from private donors.