- November 12, 2024
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NAPLES — Artis-Naples, a leading organization for the performing and visual arts in Southwest Florida, has begun renovation and expansion construction on The Baker Museum in Naples as part of its overall growth master plan. The project is scheduled for completion November 2019.
The design by Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism will create cultural campus designed to enhance the visitor experience by creating welcoming spaces that reflect the natural beauty of Southwest Florida and allow for enhanced dialogue between the visual and performing arts programs of Artis-Naples.
“It is inspiring to think about introducing Naples to a reimagined Baker Museum,” says Artis-Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen in a statement. “This first project of the master plan incorporates all of the elements that our mission has grown to encompass over three decades: visual arts, performing arts, education and social engagement.”
The project includes doubling The Norris Garden courtyard that connects The Baker Museum to the 1,477-seat performing art space Hayes Hall. The 17,650-square-foot expansion to the south creates three new, flexible spaces designed to accommodate a variety of art forms. The removal of the glass domed Figge Conservatory allows for a larger lobby, relocation of the museum store, museum ticketing and a reference library. An exterior staircase ascends the new facade, providing a private entrance for special events in the second-floor expansion.
To support the multi-year Artis-Naples master plan, the organization began a $75 million Future-Forward Campaign in January 2018. To date, $60 million has been committed, including $50 million by the Artis-Naples Board of Directors.