The Akron Art Museum is nearing completion of renovations to its historic 1899 building, originally the city's first post office, with a late summer opening planned. The project adds gallery space, including the Tony and Susie Paparella Galleries on the second floor, a renovated C. Blake McDowell Jr. Gallery as a black box space for contemporary art, and the J.M. Smucker Co. Idea Machine interactive area. Inaugural exhibitions include 'The Surrealist Impulse' featuring Dalí, Magritte, and Duchamp, and 'Shana Moulton: Meta/Physical Therapy.'
The renovation matters because it expands the museum's exhibition capacity and integrates the historic and modern buildings, creating new spaces for both permanent collections and interactive, contemporary art experiences. This redevelopment strengthens the Akron Art Museum's role as a cultural anchor in the region, offering enhanced visitor engagement and showcasing a broader range of artistic practices from Surrealist masterworks to digital and performance art.