The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City has announced plans to launch an open design competition for its new expansion.
The institution has appointed Malcolm Reading Consultants to manage the international competition, which is due to launch in early fall and run for six months.
“We have spent several years weighing both the needs of the museum and the community and have given careful consideration to a number of studies performed by Cooper Robertson, an urban design firm,” said Evelyn Craft Belger, chair of the museum’s board of trustees.
“Having explored several scenarios, the board wholeheartedly embraces the idea of an architectural competition.”
Malcolm Reading to manage competition
Julián Zugazagoitia, director and CEO of the Nelson-Atkins, added: “This competition will be a fascinating proposition for architects who love art and culture.
“At the second stage of the competition, we will be looking for designs that inspire community engagement and attract new audiences through exemplary design that will best position the Nelson-Atkins to serve guests for generations to come.”
The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City cares for a collection of more than 42,000 artworks and objects.
“We are delighted to manage this competition for the Nelson-Atkins,” said Malcolm Reading, competition director.
“The museum cares for a superlative collection, which is growing dynamically as indeed Kansas City is. Within a generation, projected visitors are likely to reach a million a year so the museum needs to prepare.”
Global design competitions
Malcolm Reading Consultants has run recent competitions for the Dallas Museum of Art, London’s National Gallery, and Powerhouse Parramatta in Sydney.
Architects who would like to be notified when the Nelson-Atkins competition launches can send their contact details to nelson-atkins@malcolmreading.com.
Elsewhere, a design competition has been launched for a new museum of architecture and design in Helsinki, Finland.
In the UK, the British Museum is looking for an architectural team to transform more than a third of its gallery space.
Images courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
