IN PROGRESS

Exhibition and wayfinding graphics for the Toledo Museum of Art’s ambitious, comprehensive reinstallation of its galleries. The first holistic reinterpretation of TMA’s presentation since the 1980s, the project will reimagine both the curatorial narrative and the visitor experience, centering the museum’s local community while also becoming a model for cultural institutions worldwide.

“The reinstallation will provide a chronological journey through art history, guiding visitors from antiquity to the present day, tracing the cultural connections between geographies that the current galleries understate. The new presentation will showcase a fuller breadth of human cultural creativity, telling both a more accurate and inclusive history. The redesigned galleries will feature fresh updates to showcase the variety and quality of TMA’s collection, including innovative uses of technology. These enhancements, along with essential facility upgrades such as upgraded heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and restrooms, will significantly elevate the visitor experience…

‘The Toledo Museum of Art is well positioned to do something distinguished with our reinstallation,’ said Adam Levine, Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey president, director and CEO at TMA. ‘We have a collection that spans 6,000 years and six continents, an expanded and unified curatorial department, and a strong foundation of community outreach and engagement. We are a big museum, embedded in our community, but not too big to be siloed, allowing us to tell a truly global art history that showcases the depth and breadth of connections across cultures. Our visitors will see their histories on display…’

‘The Toledo Museum of Art’s reinstallation project offers a once-in-a-generation chance to reimagine the museum experience. We’re excited to be working with the museum to design innovative, accessible spaces that showcase the museum’s world-class collection and tell an expanded story of creativity, one that resonates with local communities and speaks to global connectivity. By integrating diverse media and technology and prioritizing inclusivity, we aim to create a transformative visitor experience that can serve as a model for cultural institutions worldwide,’ said Michael Maltzan, Michael Maltzan Architecture…

‘We are extremely humbled and honored to be a part of the selected team working with the Toledo Museum of Art,’ said Sara Zewde, Studio Zewde. ‘The museum’s ambitions to showcase a fuller breadth of human cultural production and embed art into the everyday lives of people have inspired the way we see the potential of the museum’s landscape. We look forward to continuing the process of listening to the local community, the land and the stories the collection has to tell, as we shape a landscape that is responsive to the need for new museum paradigms and, yet, resonant with this place…’

Dungjai Pungauthaikan from Once-Future Office added, ‘We’re thrilled to be part of a project with such a strong connection and dedication to its community. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to be part of this dream team in creating a groundbreaking chronological experience. Our team brings expertise in crafting autonomous visitor experiences with world-renowned art institutions, while authentically showcasing their distinct stories and qualities. We’re excited to amplify the stories of TMA’s expansive collection through engaging visual and interactive strategies in this reinstallation.’”

Read full press release here