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May 21--Another sign that the N.C. Museum of Art is counting on the $40 million in expansion money it has requested from the state legislature: It has hired someone to oversee the reinstallation of the permanent collection in the new building.
The glittery-named Tiara L. Paris is the new exhibitions manager. Her job will also include managing exhibition schedules and developing a long-term strategy for special shows. Paris comes from the Cleveland Museum of Art, director Larry Wheeler's former employer, where she coordinated traveling exhibitions from its permanent collection.
The Raleigh museum has close to half of the estimated budget for the project -- now placed at $74 million -- in commitments or previous appropriations. Gov. Mike Easley is asking lawmakers to approve the rest during the current short session.
The design for the new gallery space is expected to be unveiled in June. Early word is the 90,000-square-foot building, which will be near the overflow parking lot on Blue Ridge Road, will be a rectangle of glass and reflective, stainless steel walls that appear seamless.
There will be five enclosed gardens and "skylight eyes" that will filter incoming daylight and create a subtle glow at night. Trees, pools of water and sculpted berms will be added outside, along with a new restaurant and shop pavilion. A big part of the new building will be given over to the gift of Rodin sculptures from the Gerald B. and Iris Cantor Foundation.
The current museum building will be expanded and renovated for administrative offices and educational programs, with space set aside for major special exhibitions and a new library.
Construction on the new galleries is scheduled to start this fall and continue for two years. Renovation of the current museum, expected to begin this summer, will be done in phases in order to keep galleries open to the public, though museum officials expect disruptions.
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