From the Director
May/June/July/August '06

Construction on Phase II is progressing on schedule, and upon completion in late September the FIA will open six new galleries. The 17,000 square foot addition will increase temporary gallery space by 60% and will nearly double the Museum’s gallery space for collections. Receiving, preparation, and storage areas for the handling and safekeeping of art objects will more than double, guaranteeing adequate facilities now and for the future.

The new galleries create the opportunity for the FIA to install more of the collection. Ethnographic collections, which, in the past, were rotated annually into a 1,369 square feet gallery will now be permanently installed in their own galleries covering 4,042 square feet. Located in the original building’s Willson and Thompson galleries, the collections will be grouped by location of origin. Our visitors will soon have permanent access to: The Art of Africa; The Art of Asia; and the Art of the Americas, including the FIA’s Native American and Eskimo collections, as well as Pre-Columbian works of art on loan from the Orlando Museum of Art. Bray tapestries, European Art and Early American Folk Art will remain in their original locations.

The new wing will continue the art timeline counter clockwise beginning with 19th century European and American art galleries and moving forward to the 21st century. The 38.6% increase in space in the new wing will allow the installation of a greater number of works but, even then, the collection will be periodically rotated to exhibit all the best works in the FIA’s extensive collections.With the new capabilities to rearrange and add to the collections on display, the viewer will now be able to experience the collection along a timeline designed to help the visitor understand the parallels and influence of other art, as well as scientific, historical, and social developments on aesthetic development.

In addition to the exciting opportunities to exhibit more of the permanent collection, the expanded temporary gallery space will enable the FIA to present larger exhibitions or two exhibitions on loan at once, opening up many more opportunities to experience great collections from around the world.

Phase II has been made possible by a generous contribution from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Through their unyielding commitment to Flint, the arts and education, the Foundation has built positive and productive additions to our city. The FIA is most grateful for the Foundation’s continued support.

John B. Henry III, Director