Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, will unveil a $150 million expansion to the public on June 6–7, adding 114,000 square feet of new space. Designed by Safdie Architects, the project increases exhibition space by 50 percent and includes new galleries, a restaurant, artist-in-residence studios, a ceramic-making space, and five acres of forest trails. The expansion also features a 14,000-square-foot Learning and Engagement Hub and 29,000 square feet of new gallery space.
The expansion matters because it significantly broadens the museum's capacity to showcase its growing collection, particularly in craft and Indigenous art. Last year, Crystal Bridges and the Art Bridges Foundation acquired 90 works by Indigenous artists, and the renovated campus prominently features Native American artist Jeffrey Gibson's work. The museum's leadership frames the project as a commitment to reflecting a more inclusive American story, with new exhibitions like "Keith Haring in 3D" debuting in the expanded galleries.