Brooklyn Museum Announces Major Renovation for African Art Galleries

The Brooklyn Museum has announced a significant renovation project to create new galleries dedicated to its African art collection. The $13 million initiative will transform 6,400 square feet of previously underutilized storage space on the museum's third floor into exhibition areas. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2024, with completion expected by fall 2027. The new Arts of Africa galleries will be situated adjacent to the existing Beaux-Arts Court and will connect to the museum's Egyptian art displays. Museum director Anne Pasternak described the project as a fundamental rethinking of how African art is presented and appreciated in U.S. museums, noting it represents a key component of the institution's broader revitalization efforts. Funding comes from New York City and federal grants, with additional support from the Ford Foundation, the Sills Family Foundation, and private donors. Architectural firm Peterson Rich Office is responsible for the design. This development continues a series of renovation projects at the Brooklyn Museum over the past two decades, including recent updates to Asian and Islamic art galleries and the 2016 renovation of the Great Hall.