Kansas City, MO. May 29, 2024–The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City announced today that it has engaged specialist consultancy Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) to manage the forthcoming architectural competition for the museum’s new expansion. The open international competition is expected to launch in early fall and run for six months.
“We have spent several years weighing both the needs of the museum and the community and have given careful consideration to a number of studies performed by Cooper Robertson, a museum planning firm,” said Evelyn Craft Belger, Chair of the museum’s Board of Trustees. “Having explored several scenarios, the Board wholeheartedly embraces the idea of an architectural competition.”
“This competition will be a fascinating proposition for architects who love art and culture,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “At the second stage of the competition, we will be looking for designs that inspire community engagement and attract new audiences through exemplary design that will best position the Nelson-Atkins to serve guests for generations to come.”
The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. It cares for a collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries.
The museum offers free admission to all and is funded entirely by private support.
“We are delighted to manage this competition for the Nelson-Atkins,” said Malcolm Reading, Competition Director. “The museum cares for a superlative collection, which is growing dynamically as indeed Kansas City is. Within a generation, projected visitors are likely to reach a million a year so the museum needs to prepare.”
The museum’s strategic plan underscores art as the core of its mission, supported by care for the people within the museum, a commitment to community, and responsible and ethical actions that will sustain the Nelson-Atkins into the future.
The leading global specialist in architectural competitions for museums and arts, heritage and non-profit organizations, London-based MRC has run recent competitions for the Dallas Museum of Art, Houston Endowment, the National Gallery, London, and Powerhouse Parramatta, Sydney, amongst others. Overall, the consultancy has handled more than 200 competitions worldwide, and has attracted a dedicated following of top-tier established and upcoming designers.
Architects who would like to be notified at the competition’s launch are invited to send their contact details to [email protected]
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The museum opens its doors free of charge to people of all backgrounds.
The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access to its renowned collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the museum is a key educational resource for the region.
The Nelson-Atkins is located at 45th and Oak Streets, Kansas City, MO. Hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission to the museum is free to everyone. For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org
Malcolm Reading Consultants
Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) is a strategic consultancy that helps clients to imagine and define contemporary environments, both built and natural. MRC is the leading specialist in devising and managing design competitions internationally. MRC believes in the power of design to create new perceptions and act as an inspiration.
MRC has run over 200 design competitions in settings including Antarctica and Australia; London and Washington, D.C.; Oxford and Cambridge; and Houston and Riyadh, for extraordinary and emblematic projects representing over $20 billion of construction value.
