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Art Museum Expansion

Note: Our Gallery Management 404 students submitted response papers that addressed a recently published museum/gallery related article. I selected one of the best papers to publish on the Gallery’s blog.

The recent trend of rapid art museum expansion is both highlighted and criticized in Blake Gopnik’s article from the Washington Post entitled, “Art Museum Expansion: A Constructive Trend?” According to Gopnik, the recent expansion of art museums is not only a national trend, but has been on the rise internationally as well. The new art expansions have been celebrated for their ability to not only show more artwork to the public, but draw larger crowds. In Gopnik’s words, “More art will be seen by more people in more space.” However, no matter how good this may appear, Gopnik is quick to point out the expansions’ negative aspects. Although the museum expansions have provided a larger space to show art, they can be tiresome and overwhelming. With large crowds and a space that is almost too large to trek, museums are foregoing the quiet and serene contemplative experience for an experience that highlights quantity over quality. For example, the artworks that fill the new spaces are often of a lesser caliber, retrieved from the museum storage rooms they to which were once relegated. In a similar vein, larger crowds can inhibit the clear viewing of artwork and at the very least limit the amount of time one can spend.

[A]rt museum expansions connote the public’s higher interest and involvement in art, as well as symbolically placing value and emphasis on the role of art within society.

Despite the successful expansions of museums such as the MOMA and the Tate, Gopnik believes the side effects may cause a detrimental impact on the experience of art and limit the promotion of art’s new and revolutionary voices. According to Gopnik, museum expansions place more importance on growth, raising funds, and bolstering attendance numbers rather than in acquiring and properly taking care of art, as well as investing in the personal experiences of its visitors. It is this emphasis that creates an imbalance in the kind of art that is viewed, opting for the blockbuster exhibitions over more unique and intellectually captivating shows. Moreover, the expensive new spaces are often utilized for non-art purposes, such as bigger cafes and shops that provide visitors with optional non-art diversions.

Gopnik makes a number of thought-provoking points that I think are relevant and important to consider, however I do not regard the recent trends in art museum expansion to be as heavily wrought with the adverse effects that he so deems. In my mind, art museum expansions connote the public’s higher interest and involvement in art, as well as symbolically placing value and emphasis on the role of art within society. As the public’s interest grows and becomes actively involved in viewing and supporting art, culture is enhanced and society enlightened. In addition, creative thoughts are activated and new understandings of who we are and the world we live in are inspired through the experiences of connecting with art. Thus, I think it is in the interest of both art and society to broaden the spectrum of viewers and engage with a wider and more diverse public. The art museum expansions have greatly increased the number of visitors to the museums, which has created a greater dialogue between art and the audience that is necessary for further artistic growth.

[S]paces that are not filled with the museum’s stellar collection can give the museum an opportunity to share intelligent and contemporary art works that are meaningful to the art world of today.

However, it is also important to carefully examine the side effects of museum expansions. Many of the problems associated with expansion could be potentially solved through careful and considerate planning. For example, the creation of new architectural spaces that are visually tantalizing should not override the practicalities and limitations of displaying artwork nor the spatial capacities necessary for hosting visitors. Large spaces that are designed for non-art activities may draw a greater attraction through their entertainment value, but it is important that their cost and focus does not hinder or distract the attention from the quality of art exhibited. In addition, spaces that are not filled with the museum’s stellar collection can give the museum an opportunity to share intelligent and contemporary art works that are meaningful to the art world of today. Although the rise in visitors may change the ambience, it is a wonderful opportunity for the art world to expose the community to a number of intelligent and contemporary artworks that they otherwise may have not been exposed to.

Of course, there will always be pros and cons to every situation. The expansion of art museums raises a number of issues that are in need of solving. However, it is my belief that these expansions have the possibility to enhance the experience and understanding of art and society for the better.

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