Preparations Begin August 31, 2015


The fencing has gone up around the building, workers are carefully salvaging those famous glass blocks, and this week, the first phase of the Museum’s campus redevelopment plan begins, as the Glassell School of Art site along Montrose is cleared for its new home, designed by Steven Holl Architects.

Meanwhile, over the summer, workers dug underground along Montrose, and across to Main, to open passages and install piping for the new power lines that will serve the expanded campus. Studio School students started classes in their newly renovated, temporary studios on Holcombe. Art handlers carefully relocated a few artworks from the Cullen Sculpture Garden to storage, and the architects finalized designs for the school.

By spring, passersby will see the new structure emerging on Montrose, slab by pre-cast slab. A webcam installed on a nearby roof will provide 24/7 live coverage.

Things will kick off with a free, block-party special edition of Mixed Media on the evening of Friday, October 16. Food trucks will line Bissonnet and DJs will take over the Cullen Sculpture Garden as the Museum turns its regular late-night dance party into a neighborhood bash.

Follow our progress at mfah.org/future or #FutureMFAH.