The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond has been making waves nationally, recently securing a spot among the top 20 art museums in the U.S., according to The Washington Post. Recognized by the Post’s critics Philip Kennicott and Sebastian Smee, the VMFA landed at No. 11, surpassing prominent institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the St. Louis Art Museum. Kennicott praised the VMFA’s blend of regional presence and national importance, lauding the museum’s inviting integration of galleries and gardens and its diverse permanent collection, which spans African, Asian, and ancient art, along with notable collections of art nouveau and art deco furnishings. The museum’s popular exhibitions, like the recent Dawoud Bey show and a current exhibition focused on Southern photography, continue to enhance its reputation.
The VMFA’s impressive ranking is part of a larger, ongoing journey for the museum. The latest chapter in its evolution is the highly anticipated McGlothlin Wing II, an ambitious expansion set to break ground in 2025. Slated to be the largest addition in the museum’s history, the five-story, 173,000-square-foot wing will feature extensive galleries for African, American, and contemporary art, along with spaces for special exhibitions, a café, a bar, and an event area. When completed, this $261 million project will make the VMFA one of the five largest art museums in the country.
Museum Director and CEO Alex Nyerges emphasized that the expansion is a reflection of the community’s collective vision, with input from residents across Virginia. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience art and to make our lives better and more fulfilling,” Nyerges explained, underscoring the museum’s commitment to accessibility and enrichment.
Beyond adding space, McGlothlin Wing II will introduce a heightened focus on American art, with galleries that elevate the museum’s German Expressionism collection and expand its contemporary art offerings by fivefold. According to Nyerges, these enhancements will enable the VMFA to bring a broader array of global art exhibitions to Virginia and to serve over a million visitors from beyond the Richmond area.
Main image: Preliminary rendering of the McGlothlin Wing II seen from the north (subject to change). Image courtesy of SmithGroup
