Where creativity and community can meet

November 10, 2010

By: College of Design, Design Influence, Fall 2010 Issue

A Preview of the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM)

Maybe it has something to do with the high warehouse ceiling. Or maybe it’s that a visitor will be able to get an angle on all three floors at once.

But even as a work-in-progress, there is more within the Contemporary Art Museum than would seem possible simply judging by the exterior.

“You can’t help but get the feeling that for 80 years this building was waiting to become an exhibition space,” said Jay Gates, interim director of CAM, an initiative of the College of Design.

Though it won’t open to the public until April 2011, the 22,000 sq. ft. structure is expected to be completed in Dec. 2010. The project is being funded in large part by private donors taking advantage of state and federal tax credits. Private dollars and tax credits raised for the project so far total over $4 million. The City of Raleigh has pledged an additional $1 million.

The museum won’t build a permanent collection. Instead, the board and staff will focus on rotating installations and educational programs for young people and adults.

“The museum represents a very ambitious statement of NC State and the College of Design,” said Gates. “It will embrace a wide range of contemporary art, as well as exhibitions devoted to issues of design.” Rather than trying to cover all modes at once, said Gates, exhibitions will rotate, “with each exhibition focusing on one area in a significant and stunning way.”

Added Gates: “It will have a very significant presence downtown and will contribute to the rebirth of this historically important part of the city.”

The museum’s design preserves the site’s historical look as a warehouse but adds a modern entryway by Pugh + Scarpa of Santa Monica, CA, and also incorporates a number of energy efficient design attributes, said Steve Schuster of Clearscapes, the Raleigh-based architectural firm that is leading the bi-coastal architectural team.

Great effort was taken to make sure the building design doesn’t dominate the art inside. Nonetheless, “I think it’s going to prove to be a space that spurs creativity,” Schuster said.

A ground-breaking on May 11 gave over 50 government officials, media representatives, and members of the arts community a sneak peek at the space.

The mid-level gallery on Martin Street greets the visitor first, but it’s the upper gallery that offers the most spectacular airspace and serves as “the main stage,” Gates said.

The lower gallery, named the Independent Gallery for the Independent Weekly, may be used for more intimate, experimental exhibitions.

CAM has a good track record with education: Design Camp, CAM’s premiere educational program for high school students, was created by the College 25 years ago and is still going strong.

Dean Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA, of the College of Design, sees the college and CAM using the museum “to encourage creativity and community.”

“This is our version of a teaching hospital,” said Malecha. “This effort will be a venue to trumpet the value of design—the process, the methods, and the artifacts,” and is right in line with the mission of a land grant university to stay engaged with the state’s citizens. Malecha also anticipates new academic programs may arise from the museum, including courses of study in museum management.

“This affiliation combines the powerful exhibitions presented by CAM with the educational expertise of the university to create a transformational museum experience.” – Dean Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA

Read full article here: http://www.ncsu.edu/project/design-projects/design-influence/2010/10/06/where-creativity-and-community-can-meet/

Comments

No comments have been posted.

View all articles from Contemporary Art Museum

Return to the overview page for Contemporary Art Museum