Dayton Art Institute Announces Construction / Renovation Projects

last updated 02/01/2016
Dayton Art Institute Announces Construction / Renovation Projects

Facility upgrades & improvements begin countdown to museum's 2019 centennial, and lead to a change of operating hours, beginning in February.

Dayton Art Institute Announces Construction / Renovation Projects

Photo credit: Ken Miller

As 2016 begins, The Dayton Art Institute will begin the countdown to its 2019 centennial with a number of facility upgrades and improvements. 

"We're excited to begin our centennial countdown with the first of a series of construction projects that are part of the museum's Centennial Master Plan," says Dayton Art Institute Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. "The Master Plan has been developed from a series of space studies conducted over the past year and will address both facility upgrades and museum accessibility." 

In the spring of 2014, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed a State Capital Appropriations Bill that included nearly $2.2 million to fund renovation projects at The DAI. To determine how best to utilize that money, The DAI began a process of space studies, with the goal of creating a Centennial Master Plan for renovations, to coincide with the centennial. LWC Incorporated of Dayton was chosen, through an independent process, as the architectural firm to create the Centennial Master Plan. 

The new cork flooring being installed in the Shaw Gothic Cloister.Projects either already underway or slated to take place in 2016 include: replacement of the floor in the Shaw Gothic Cloister (photo right); modernization of four original museum restrooms; replacement of many windows with high efficiency units; updating numerous exterior and interior doors;  improvements to the building's HVAC and technology infrastructure. 

In addition, a new path on the museum grounds is planned that will create an ADA-accessible pedestrian connection from Riverview Avenue to the museum entrance. 

Construction schedules for these projects will necessitate an adjustment to the museum's hours of operation. Beginning February 23, The DAI will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Regular museum hours the remainder of the week will remain unchanged: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon – 5 p.m., with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. 

Leo Bistro and The Museum Store will also be closed on Tuesdays when the new hours take effect. The Museum Store will be open during regular museum hours, and Leo Bistro will be open Wednesday – Friday,11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Thursday evenings, 4:30 – 8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Sunday, noon – 2 p.m. 

"In order to maximize work time and minimize disruption for our guests, we felt it was necessary to reduce our hours during these projects," says Roediger. "We have a fantastic slate of special exhibitions and programs in store for 2016, and these upgrades will further enhance guest experiences here at the museum." 

The DAI recently announced its special exhibition schedule for 2016. The "Year of the Elements" features an innovative suite of exhibitions of contemporary art, all organized by the museum, and themed around the classical elements—fire, air, earth, water and ether. These originally conceived exhibitions explore the elements through the concept of the sublime, creating engaging visual experiences that will illuminate the primal, yet shifting, relationships we have with the elements via nature. From light installations and interactive video works, to large-scale photography, viewers will be presented with immersive and unique experiences that will ignite the imagination and encourage participation. 

For more information about The Dayton Art Institute, please visit www.daytonartinstitute.org or call the museum at 937-223-4ART (4278). Tickets for most Dayton Art Institute events, exhibitions and programs may also be purchased online at www.etix.com. Be sure to connect with The Dayton Art Institute on FacebookTwitterInstagram and Pinterest for additional information, behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive offers.

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