Shelburne Museum Plans Major New Building
by Rowan Beck, October 20, 2011.....

On October 13, all eyes were on Shelburne Museum’s Board Chairman James Pizzagalli as he announced the anticipated construction of the new Center for Art and Education on site. It is to be located on the northeast side of the museum store, and little change to the grounds will be necessary. “Outside of some grading and moving the Kalkin building, there will be little change; the Kalkin building was always meant as a temporary building,” said Pizzagalli. The board believes that the new building will change how Shelburne Museum will serve the public.
The estimated cost of the proposed building is $14 million. Of that, $10.75 million has already been raised through two government grants and several gifts from generous donors. At this time Chairman Pizzagalli “invites Vermont to join in this exciting endeavor.” He hopes to continue to keep the museum “one of the crown jewels of Vermont attractions.” According to Pizzagalli, the museum annually provides approximately $15 million to the state’s economy. More than half the visitors are Vermont residents who pay half price admission. Lawrence Miller, on behalf of Governor Shumlin, commended the Museum on its “capacity for innovation, vision and creativity.”
Ironically, over 60 years ago museum founder Electra Webb, saw the need for a year-round building with an educational space. The new 16,000 square-foot center will include galleries and an auditorium as well as classroom space to be used by all ages. The museum board looks forward to expanding its educational potential and providing more exposure for local schools since it will be able to be open year round once the space is completed. The museum has been in contact with schools and seeks to be responsive to their needs. “We will be able to deliver a better product,” Chairman Pizzagalli smiled. “The board is very excited.”
Each year approximately 100,000 people pass through the gates of the Shelburne Museum; once the new center is completed the number is expected to increase to 150,000. Pizzagalli announced that Ann Beha Architects of Boston has been chosen. The board moved forward with this firm because of its desire to create a green building. The firm has an extensive background in museum design and strong experience in designing LEED projects. LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an internationally recognized green building certification system. The firm has also worked in historic preservation. Architects in Vermont were considered, but the Boston firm seemed most suitable for the museum’s needs. The building will duplicate elements already displayed within the museum, incorporating much of the stone and wood motif that is seen throughout. According to spokesperson Leslie Wright, “The design will incorporate many local materials to reduce required transportation of building materials and support the local economy. The design will also incorporate materials with high recycled content wherever possible.” Ann Beha has ties to Vermont through her cousin, local Charlotte author Stephen Kiernan.
The opportunities that this building will provide for museum visitors, students and the museum itself seem endless. The new Art Center is considered the flagship building, “enabling the institution to be open year-round and enhance the museum’s educational and cultural missions,” Wright was pleased to announce. The museum is hoping for a 2013 opening; town and state permitting process is underway. The museum will need approval at both state and local levels before moving forward.
Shelburne Museum is considered one of North America’s finest most diverse and unconventional museums of art, design and Americana. Over 150,000 works are exhibited within the 39 exhibition buildings that make up the museum. Twenty-five of the buildings are historic and have been relocated to the museum grounds. The museums collection includes works by Monet, Manet and Degas. There is also a prized folk art collection. Every year students from the Charlotte Central School visit the site. If all goes as planned, by 2013 they will be able to visit in the winter and take greater advantage of what the museum has to offer. For more information on the Shelburne Museum visit its website at shelburnemuseum.org.