The North Carolina Museum of Art is undergoing a major renovation project that will involve the park amphitheater and many spaces within the museum's East building.

"It involves multiple spaces within our original East building, including our conservation lab, an addition above the conservation lab on the main level of that building, the lower level of the East building that used to house the the cafe and special exhibitions," said NCMA Director Valerie Hillings. 

Other WRAL Top Stories

Hillings said the outdoor Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Theater in the museum park is also undergoing major upgrades. 

"That wonderful lawn that is behind the East building and connecting to the park is a big part of this project as well," she said.

Highlights of the renovation project include:

  • Updates to the East Building Park Entrance including exterior modifications including new rain gardens and a filtration system to manage stormwater.
    • Interior upgrades in the East building include a coffee counter, updated restrooms and seating area.
      • An Open-Air Pavilion will offer a covered outdoor space for events.
        • Community Arts & Education Center will be renovated to create flexible spaces for art and education
          • Park amphitheater upgrades including new audio and visual elements, plus replacing bench seating with 600-stadium seats

            Hillings said the renovations are part of an effort to bring together the museum building with the park. 

            "We are tremendously excited that we are going to forge a physical connection between the museum park and the back of our East building," she said. "For so long, the museum buildings felt so separate from the park and often people don't move fluidly between the two, but we see that as an opportunity to invite people inside to see the art...they can enjoy being on the campus, enjoy the nature and the big, strong focus on accessibility."

            The upgrades are designed to make parts of the campus easier to get to. 

            The renovations will start this summer at the Joseph M. Bryan Theater in the Museum Park, meaning that there will not be any summer concert series there for the time being. Concerts are expected to resume in 2027. 

            "In the meantime, there'll be many other opportunities to engage with music in other spaces on the campus and in our galleries," Hillings said. 

            The last major expansion of the museum was the construction of the West building that was completed 15 years ago in 2010.