Phase I and II of the museum’s master plan includes a new North Building, a central utilities building, and an art park and piazza. The new 62,500 square feet North Building, which will be largely transparent, will double the museum’s overall square footage and nearly triple the gallery space from the existing wing.

The expansion will create a new space for larger special exhibitions, contemporary art galleries, a family education welcome centre, an indoor/outdoor café, museum shop, and a multifunctional pavilion for performances, lectures and entertaining. In addition, the new Elizabeth P. and Frederick K. Cressman Art Park and public Piazza will feature a sculpture garden that will engage students and museum visitors.

The renovated museum will have a natural flow through the building with a 67% increase in space for special exhibitions. The total expansion will be approximately 220,000 square feet, including 79,600 square feet of renovation, 75,000 square feet of new construction, and 135,000 square feet of landscape improvements.

Kulapat Yantrasast of wHY Architecture created the design for the museum in partnership with K. Norman Berry Associates of Louisville. US-based landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand designed the concept plan for the museum’s setting along South Third Street on the northwest corner of the University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus. Carmen and Associates designed the landscaping plan.

The additional funds will also allow the museum to complete the III and final phase of its master plan that includes the addition of a new South Building and extensive renovations to the current building within three years.

The new 9,500 square feet South Building will include additional gallery space and a modern theatre. It will also feature the Center for Kentucky Art in a renovated 5,600 square feet gallery in the lower level of the current museum building. The new South Building will showcase the museum’s collection of early Kentucky fine and decorative arts, including paintings, sculptures, extraordinary furniture, silver and other objects.

Construction on the North Building will begin in the summer of 2013, while construction of the South Building will commence in the fall of 2013. All construction and renovation is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2015.

The museum is currently closed for the renovation and expansion till 2015.