The construction project encompasses 16 construction contracts, which have been awarded to regional companies, under a budget of $6 million. The primary project architect is the Pittsburgh-based EDGE Studio. An Erie-based firm, Spaulding Banks Project Management, will look into the management and the daily construction process.
“The Erie Art Museum’s renovation and expansion project includes the renovation of an existing 15,000 square feet of building space and the addition of 10,000 square feet. The project consists of a link between the Art Museum’s main building (Old Custom House) on State Street and the Museum Annex, which fronts on both State and Fifth Streets. Included will be four major galleries, a number of smaller galleries, a 250-person performance space, a public meeting space at a new unified entrance, and other visitor amenities,” said Museum director John Vanco.
He also suggested that the Museum has already secured $7.2 million in public and private funding, including $3.5 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and $1 million from the Erie Art Museum’s board of directors. An additional $2 million of a $3 million endowment goal has been secured for the Museum’s long-term financial security. Apart from this the property transfer of the former Erie County Historical Society State Street property has also been secured. The acquisition of the 419-421 State Street property gives the Erie Art Museum custodianship of the most historic group of properties in downtown Erie.
The Erie Art Museum located at 411 State Street in downtown Erie, is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm and on Sunday, 1-5 pm. The Museum offers year-round schedule of exhibits, performances, classes, workshops, lectures and more. It holds a $10 million permanent collection of 6,000 cultural objects that includes significant works in American ceramics, Tibetan paintings, Indian bronzes, contemporary baskets, and a variety of other categories.
