- Photo by Jason Lew
Is the Museum open during renovation?Yes! While the Art and History galleries are under construction, the rest of the Museum will stay open – including the Natural Sciences Gallery and the gardens. A selection of artworks and artifacts are on display in The Art and History of Early California, located in the Natural Sciences Side Bay. We will continue to showcase special exhibitions in the Great Hall and produce educational programs, including the Wildflower Show, the Fungus Fair, Days of the Dead, and Lunar New Year.
PLEASE NOTE: During construction, please enter the Museum through the 10th Street Entrance, and park in the garage through the Oak Street Entrance.
What about school tours during the renovation?School tours, programs, and changing exhibitions will continue. School groups can tour the exhibition The Art and History of Early California in the Natural Sciences Special Gallery, to connect with curriculum about California Indians, Missions, and the Gold Rush. PLEASE NOTE: Due to limited space, all school groups – including those who come for self-guided tours – must make reservations in advance through the Docent Office at 510.238.3514.
When will the Art, History, and Natural Sciences Galleries close?The Art and History Galleries closed in January 2008. They are scheduled to re-open in late 2009, in time to mark the Museum’s 40th anniversary.
The Natural Sciences Gallery is part of Phase II of the renovation, to begin once the Art and History Galleries have reopened. The Natural Sciences Gallery is slated to close in 2009 and re-open in 2011.
What do these changes mean for museum visitors and members?The Museum will be able to tell all aspects of the California story. The galleries will undergo a dramatic transformation to include dynamic new interpretive methods, inquiry based educational spaces and tools, and interdisciplinary connections between galleries to best tell the “California” story to families and first-time visitors as well as experienced museum-goers.
Improvements will enhance the visitor experience. For the first time, the building will have a strong street presence and welcoming orientation spaces, plus improved way finding, light, heating, temperature control, and ADA access.
Educational spaces will be added and improved to better serve the 70,000 students and families who participate in our school and family programs.
How will this renovation result in a larger audience for OMCA…bring in more people?The physical improvements are but one component. Over the past several years the Museum has developed plans for the complete re-envisioning of our position as one of the region’s foremost cultural institutions. The Board has committed itself to a long range strategic plan that includes significant audience development and marketing initiatives.
Based on current research, our Gallery plans include:
Why should I make OMCA a philanthropic priority at this time?This is a unique opportunity to take a leadership position in museum accessibility and education for the broader public. Much like we did with the opening of the museum in 1969, our plans are on the cutting edge of museum interpretation.
Unlike many of the other museum campaigns, this effort is not about creating a new building, but about revealing new insights into our collections. We are doing this project because the new museum will revitalize the visitor experience. We are pushing ourselves to be innovative and relevant for diverse audiences.
No other museum offers our unique perspective, exploring California through its art, history, and nature or the opportunity to explore the connections between these areas. We are poised to serve as the preeminent cultural institution for the East Bay, as well as a vital participant in the cultural life of the entire region and state.
OMCA is a City institution. Why does the Museum need to raise private funds?The City and the Foundation have a Management Operating Agreement, splitting the annual budget 50/50. The City owns the collections and maintains on-going operation of the building and grounds. Private funds from the Foundation support museum programs and other operations.
The capital campaign is outside of our regular operating expenses, and focuses primarily on increasing educational experiences in the galleries rather than basic building operations.
What about Measure G?The $23.6 million bond forms the core of a much larger campaign. Our Master Plan makes the museum a more vital community and educational resource.
To date, a portion of the Measure G money has supported gallery design and the new California Collections and Research Center – a state-of-the-art facility to steward our collections for future generations.
As we assess our collections to determine how best to tell the California story for the 21st century, Measure G funds will continue to provide core project support.
This is a very special building. How will this renovation honor the original intent of the architect?The minor changes to our building respect the Museum’s designation as a City landmark, and have been approved by the City of Oakland’s Landmark Commission. We continue to talk with both the original architect Kevin Roche, and landscape designer Dan Kiley to advise design issues. When the building was first constructed, it was “cutting edge” in the museum world. The renovation will bring the building and grounds to “state of the art,” again setting new standards for museums.