The Westmoreland Museum of American Art broke ground to celebrate and begin the expansion and renovation of The Future Westmoreland. Ennead Architects of New York City and LaQuatra Bonci Associates: Landscape Architecture of Pittsburgh are working with the museum to create a new experience for visitors including a brand new wing, renovation of the existing building to have LEED silver certification and a complete re-design of the grounds.
Planning for the expansion/renovation was initiated in 2009 in response to the continued growth of the Museum’s collections, demand for educational programming, and critically acclaimed exhibitions program. The Museums 50-plus year old building was also in need of reconfiguration to serve the needs of an art museum operating in the 21st century. An architectural steering committee headed by Westmoreland Trustee Harry A. Thompson II was organized in 2010 and continues to guide the design process in conjunction with Museum staff.
The new campus and architectural design will deliver a building that will be an architectural asset to visitors and the community including new galleries, classrooms, studios and public gathering spaces with the most current technology. Words used to guide the design principles include welcoming, user-friendly, distinctive and memorable. The expansion and renovation will reflect the Museums mission and fully address the Museums and its communitys programmatic needs.
The newly renovated and expanded Westmoreland Museum of American Art is scheduled to open in the spring of 2015. These expansion efforts are tied into a campaign that includes both Capital and Endowment funds to become sustainable in every sense of the wordfinancially, socially, and environmentally. In total, it is a $38 million campaign with $18 million for capital, $16 million for a new endowment, and $4 million for operating costs during the 5-year run of the campaign.
Beginning July 17th, 2013, The Westmoreland will reside at its temporary location, Westmoreland @rt 30 (1000 Village Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601), and remain there until Spring of 2015, during the expansion and renovation of the existing building. www.wmuseumaa.org