Changes to the museum complex--which first opened its doors in 1936 and stands as the oldest state museum in Virginia--will include the addition of 100,000 sf of gallery space, a new atrium connecting the new with the old and a new library. The added gallery space will expand the current display areas by 50%. Also, a 3.5-acre parking lot on the property will be redeveloped as the E. Claiborne and Lora Robins Sculpture Garden. Vehicles will be accommodated by a new and artfully camouflaged parking deck with 600 spaces.

"In this design, Rick Mather proposes a new ideal for how we come together as citizens to celebrate culture in public places, one that blurs the threshold between indoor and outdoor spaces, and between architecture and landscape design," VMFA director Dr. Michael Brand notes.

As for financing this multi-million-dollar endeavor, VMFA has 10 years of planning behind this project and has had a successful run at attaining both public and private monetary support for the facility. Not even the detrimental economic effects of the terrorist attacks 18 months ago put a hitch in the museum's funding plan.

"We had a fair amount of success up to and through Sept. 11," VMFA vise president of development Peter M. Wagner tells GlobeSt.com. "The project has a compelling vision and a committed leadership." Groundbreaking for the development is expected to take place next year, and completion is scheduled for 2007.