FAQ

  • Plans for a new museum building have been many years in the making and are rooted in the college’s commitment to placing learning with objects at the center of a liberal arts education, and its vision for WCMA to grow and thrive as a leader and innovator among college art museums.The decision to move forward now is driven by practical and pressing needs related to the care and display of the collection as well as to the care of our visiting public and campus audiences through greater accessibility and other accommodations not possible in the current facilities.

  • The museum will be built at the intersection of Routes 2 and 7 in Williamstown across from the David & Joyce Milne Public Library,  the Center for Development Economics (CDE) at Williams College, and Field Park.

  • The project is scheduled to break ground in summer of 2024, and to be completed in 2027, timed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the museum’s opening.

  • The new museum will have over 15,000 square feet of display space, accounting for 35% of the 52,000 net square footage of the building. Beyond galleries, additional spaces in the building will include an auditorium, art studio space, a café, study center and classrooms, as well as staff and student workspace and art storage.

  • The college has not determined the specifics on how it will repurpose Lawrence after the move, but the Art History wing of the Art department will continue to reside in the building. A full programing study will be undertaken by the college and the Art Department in the near future.

  • SO-IL, founded in 2008 by Florian Idenburg and Jing Liu. SO-IL produces buildings, interiors, furniture and landscapes around the world. Partnering on the project as architect of record is Perry Dean Rogers. The landscape around the building will be designed by Reed Hilderbrand.

  • The sculptures were created as a special site specific commission by the artist and will remain at their current location in front of Lawrence Hall. Additional public art will be incorporated into the new building's landscape.